[Alternation of the level of plasma calcitonin gene related peptide and endothelin-1 in liver cirrhosis].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the level of plasma calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) to assess their role on portal hypertension formation and progression and liver function injury in liver cirrhosis and the possible relation between them.

METHODS

CGRP and ET-1 were measured in plasma samples collected from 24 healthy controls and 61 liver cirrhosis patients.

RESULTS

Plasma CGRP and ET-1 level were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than those in healthy controls. Comparisons of the levels of plasma CGRP and ET-1 in group of patients with different liver function were shown as follows: Child C > Child B > Child A. An analysis among the groups showed that plasma CGRP and ET-1 were markedly higher in the groups with esophageal varices accompanied by severe or moderate ascites (LC(4)) and with simple severe or moderate ascites (LC(3)) than in the groups with esophageal varices accompanied by mild or no ascites (LC(2)). The levels were also significantly higher in group LC(2) than those in group without varices and ascites (LC(1)). No statistical difference of plasma CGRP and ET-1 levels was found between group LC(1) or Child A and normal controls. There was positive correlation between plasma CGRP and ET-1. The increased concentration of both of them correlated negatively with the declined level of plasma albumin.

CONCLUSION

The increase of plasma CGRP and ET-1 is closely associated with the severity of liver cirrhosis and the formation and progression of portal hypertension. The disturbance of the balance between plasma CGRP and ET-1 may contribute to the pathologic process of liver injury.