Journal of Hepatology
Volume 24, Issue 4 , Pages 385-390, April 1996

Hepatocyte proliferation and serum hepatocyte growth factor levels in patients with alcoholic hepatitis

  • Kenneth J. Hillan

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence: Dr. Kenneth J. Hillan, Mail Stop 37, Genentech Inc., 460 Point San Bruno Boulevard, South San Francisco, California 94080, USA.
    • University Department of Pathology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow U.S.A.
    • ,
  • Martin C. Logan

      Affiliations

    • University Department of Pathology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow U.S.A.
    • ,
  • Rod K. Ferrier

      Affiliations

    • University Department of Pathology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow U.S.A.
    • ,
  • George L.A. Bird

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow U.S.A.
    • ,
  • Gregory L. Bennett

      Affiliations

    • Genetech Inc., South San Francisco, Ca USA
    • ,
  • Ian C. McKay

      Affiliations

    • Department of Immunology, University of Glasgow U.S.A.
    • ,
  • Roderick N.M. MacSween

      Affiliations

    • University Department of Pathology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow U.S.A.

Abstract 

Backgrounds/Methods: Hepatocyte growth factor is thought to be important in stimulating growth of the liver following injury. In this study we have measured serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor together with hepatocyte proliferation in liver biopsies, by detection of the Ki-67 antigen, in 23 patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

Results: Serum hepatocyte growth factor was elevated in all patients (median 0.9 ng/ml; range 0.6–7.7 ng/ml; normal<0.5 ng/ml) and there was positive correlation between hepatocyte growth factor levels and hepatocyte proliferation in the biopsies. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that in acute alcoholic hepatitis the liver proliferates in response to injury and suggest that hepatocyte growth factor may be one of the growth factors responsible for this proliferative activity.

Keywords:  Alcohol, Hepatitis, Hepatocyte growth factor

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PII: S0168-8278(96)80157-7

Journal of Hepatology
Volume 24, Issue 4 , Pages 385-390, April 1996

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