[Dynamic change of serum tumor necrosis factor activity and mechanism of hepatocyte growth factor treatment in fulminating viral hepatitis].

The activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in serum and in peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) was determined in 8 patients with fulminating viral hepatitis (FVH), 10 patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and 10 health controls. The activity was monitored in FVH patients before and after treatment with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). It was found that TNF level was significantly higher in CAH patients than in controls (t = 3.56, P < 0.01) and also significantly higher in FVH than in CAH patients (t = 3.07, P < 0.01). The activity of TNF decreased gradually in FVH patients after HGF treatment and there was a positive correlation (r = 0.09, P < 0.01) between the activity of serum and PBMC TNF. It was found that in animal models of hepatic necrosis there was transient elevation of TNF activity with its peak occurring after 6 hours; the peak could be lowered with HGF treatment (t = 3.65, P < 0.05). The authors are of the opinion that TNF is an important mediator causing hepatic necrosis. The relationship between HGF and TNF was also discussed.