ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the changes of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) after partial hepatectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis and their relationship with liver regeneration. Methods Thirty-five patients with partial hepatectomy between June 2007 and August 2009 were enrolled,according to whether cirrhosis were divided into cirrhosis group (16 cases) and non-cirrhosis group (19 cases). Liver size were measured with angiographic computed tomography at 7,30,90 d after operation. Regeneration rate of remnant liver were calculated. The serum concentrations of HGF and VEGF were meaaured. Postoperative hepatic function and complications incidence rate were comparatively analyzed. Results Compared with non-cirrhosis group, the postoperative hepatic function of cirrhosis group suffered serious damage. In non-cirrhosis group, the remnant liver regeneration rate reached (63.6± 15.9)%, (79.4 ± 17.2)%, (97.2 ± 18.3)% at 7,30,90 d after operation,in cirrhosis group,it reached (41.7 ± 10.7)%, (55.7 ± 13.2)%, (76.6 ± 12.5)%, liver in non-cirrhosis group regenerated rapidly (P <0.05). After hepatectomy,the HGF levels in cirrhosis group increased significantly at 1,3,7 d than those in non-cirrhosis group(P ＜ 0.05), but the VEGF levels were lower. Conclusions Liver in the patients with cirrhosis regenerate slowly and it may be due to in part through a decrease in VEGF. Whether it may,when given therapeutically represent a strategy to optimize liver regeneration in problematic patients needs to be clarified.