ABSTRACT
Renal prostaglandins have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the renal dysfunction of cirrhosis, but the information is fragmentary and often contradictory. To assess the role of renal prostaglandins in renal hemodynamics and sodium handling in cirrhosis, the urinary levels of PGE2 and TXB2 were measured and correlated with the severity of cirrhosis [grade A to C according to Pugh-Child's score] in 40 children, 4 - 14 years of age. From the results obtained it was concluded that, both PGE2 and TXB2 excretion are increased in children with severe cirrhosis [grade B and C]. A larger increase in vasoconstrictor TXB2 than in vasodilator PGE2 is associated with a decrease in GFR. The low FENa in patients with severe cirrhosis in the presence of high PGE2 may be viewed as an sufficient attempt at natriuresis