Kidney Volume and Plasma Hepatocyte Growth Factor–Transforming Growth Factor β1 Ratio among Children with Biliary Atresia before and after Liver Transplantation: The Reversibility of Nephromegaly
Resource
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF KIDNEY DISEASES v.46 n.5 pp.830-836
Journal
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF KIDNEY DISEASES
Journal Volume
v.46
Journal Issue
n.5
Pages
830-836
Date Issued
2005
Date
2005
Author(s)
CHENG, CHI-HUI
TSAU, YONG-KWEI
TSAI, I- JUNG
Abstract
Background: We previously showed a positive correlation between nephromegaly and plasma hepatocyte growth factor ( HGF)/transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) ratio in children with biliary atresia. The purpose of this study is to examine the possible reversibility of nephromegaly in patients with biliary atresia. Methods: We evaluated kidney volume in 13 patients with biliary atresia before and after liver transplantation, 6 patients with hepatoblastoma, and 26 healthy children. Plasma HGF and TGF-β1 levels were determined for all children. Results: We noted significant nephromegaly in children with biliary atresia before liver transplantation compared with healthy children and children after liver transplantation (P < 0.001 and P = 0.006 for intercepts, P = 0.064 and P = 0.753 for slopes by analysis of covariance, respectively). The highest plasma HGF levels and HGF/TGF-β1 ratios and the lowest TGF-β1 concentrations were found in children with biliary atresia before liver transplantation (P < 0.001). No statistically significant nephromegaly was observed in children with biliary atresia after liver transplantation or those with hepatoblastoma despite the presence of a mildly increased plasma HGF level and HGF/TGF-β1 ratio. Plasma HGF/TGF-β1 ratio correlated positively with degree of nephromegaly in all patients (r = 0. 717; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our data suggest that liver transplantation reverses the nephromegaly present in children with biliary atresia and that plasma HGF/TGF-β1 ratio may be associated with the development of nephromegaly in patients with biliary atresia.
Subjects
nephromegaly
biliary atresia
liver transplantation
hepatoblastoma
hepatocyte growth factor
transforming growth factor beta 1
Type
journal article