Increased production of vascular endothelial growth factor and some other cytokines in serum and ascitic fluid of cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine serum and ascetic fluid vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], tumor necrosis factor- alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-6 [IL-6] and endotoxin, in cirrhotic patients and to search for a relationship between them and SBP. This study was performed on 40 cirrhotic patients with SBP, their ages ranged from 35 to 60 years, with mean of 47.5 +/- 11.6 years, 40 cirrhotic patients with non-infected ascites their ages ranged from 22 to 50 years, with mean of 34.5 +/- 6.5 years and 20 healthy control subjects with matched age and sex. From the results obtained it was concluded that VEGF, IL-6, TNF-alpha and endotoxin in the serum and ascetic fluid may become useful markers for diagnosis of SBP and for monitoring the treatment of cirrhotic patients