Hepatocyte growth factor in glycerol-induced acute renal failure.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) facilitates the regeneration of injured kidney in acute renal failure (ARF). Here we investigated the HGF production in glycerol-induced ARF rats. HGF mRNA expression levels were elevated in liver, spleen, and lung 6-24 h after glycerol injection. Tissue HGF protein levels determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay also increased in liver and spleen, whereas they decreased in the injured kidney 24 h after injection. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the number of HGF-producing cells did not increase in the liver. HGF receptor/c-Met mRNA levels were elevated only in the kidney. These results indicate that HGF supplied in an endocrine manner may play an important role in the regenerating process following ARF.