expression of liver hepatocyte growth factor receptors [HGFR] in patients with chronic viral hepatitis: clinical, biochemical and pathological significances

The hepatocyte growth factor receptors [HGFR] are transmembrane proteins that mediate the mitogenic effect of hepatocyte growth factor [HGF] on liver cells. In this study, the expression of liver HGF receptors was assessed in sixty patients with chronic viral hepatitis in order to explore the clinical and pathological significances of their detection in such disease. Liver HGFR expression was demonstrated in 40% of patients and was found in parallel relationship to the degree of hepatic inflammation and necrosis and in negative correlation with the value of prothrombin time. It is concluded that in patients with chronic viral hepatitis the expression of liver HGFR tend to be higher in patients with chronic active hepatitis than in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and may promote better synthetic function of liver cells

Serum nitric oxide in patients with chronic renal failure

It is still controversial whether endogenous nitric oxide production is increased or decreased in patients with endnstage renal disease and whether haemodialysis affect the concentration of serum nitric oxide or not. The study was designed to assess serum nitric oxide concentration in chronic renal failure patients and to evaluate its possible affection by haemodialysis. Twenty patients with endnstage renal disease and maintained regular haemodialysis were included in the study and matched against ten healthy volunteers. Total serum nitric oxide concentration was measured colourimetrically three times for patients [Just pre- and post haemodialysis sessions and then one day after haemodialysis] and once for controls. Serum nitric oxide concentration was found significantly decreased in chronic renal failure patients before haemodialysis session and its level was correlated negatively with levels of blood urea and serum creatinine and correlated positively with creatinine clearance value. The serum nitric oxide concentration significantly increased immediately and one day after haemodialysis session regardless the type of dialyzed membrane usned. This increase was temporary and the level significantly declined as the dialysis effect withdrawn. It is concluded that nitric oxide production decreased in uraemic patients, possibly due to accumulation of endogenous inhibitors to nitric oxide synthase and haemodialysis increases nitric oxide production temporary by reducing the concentration of such inhibitors