RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Epidermal growth factors (EGF) is known to activate mitogen activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) in hepatocytes by the route of both Raf-dependent and Raf-indefendent pathways. And this is likely to play important role in normal liver cell growth and regeneration. EGF is also reported as a potent mitogen and one of the angiogenic factors. To elucidate the dynamic changes of the serum concentration of epidermal growth factor in chronic liver disease and its correlation with role of EGF and mechanism of tumor development, this study is intended to employ an ELISA in 38 biopsy-proven cases. METHODS: Sera taken out of 5 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis. 4 patients with chronic active hepatitis, 19 patients with liver cirrhosis, 10 patients with hepato-cellular carcinoma that pathological diagnosis was proven later were tested for EGF employing Quantikine ELISA Kits (R & D Systems Inc. Minneapolis, MN). The statistical analysis was evaluated by student's t-test. RESULTS: EGF concentration was 253.33+ 69.5pg/ml(Mean+ SE) in hepatocellular carcinoma, 246.60+ 91.19pg/ml(Mean+ SE) in chronic active hepatitis, 222.71+ 115.97pg/ml (Mean+ SE) in chronic persistent hepatitis, 141.15+ 23.12pg/ml(Mean+ SE) in liver cirrhosis in orders. Serum EGF concentration in hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly higher than that in liver cirrhosis(p value=0.021695). However, comparing to the remaining other groups, no significant difference was found. CONCLUSION: These results support that the reconstruction of the capillary networks in liver cirrhosis resplts in down-regulation of the EGF in comparison to chronic hepatitis. But it is suggested that revaluation of EGF stimulates MAP kinase activity eventually playing in tumorigenesis of the liver with neoangiogenesis.