TY - JOUR T1 - Serum hepatocyte growth factor as an index of extensive catabolism of patients awaiting liver transplantation JF - Gut JO - Gut SP - 862 LP - 866 DO - 10.1136/gut.44.6.862 VL - 44 IS - 6 AU - C Miki AU - A D Mayer AU - J A C Buckels AU - K Iriyama AU - H Suzuki AU - P McMaster Y1 - 1999/06/01 UR - http://gut.bmj.com/content/44/6/862.abstract N2 - BACKGROUND Whole body catabolism as the result of intrahepatic metabolic derangement is common in liver transplant candidates. However, individual nutritional assessment parameters lack sensitivity and specificity in determining energy status of these patients. Recently, serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to reflect the recovery of hepatic energy metabolism after liver transplantation.AIMS The relation between preoperative levels of serum HGF and metabolic variables was investigated to clarify the clinical value of measuring HGF in evaluations of the catabolism.PATIENTS/METHODS Blood samples were obtained from 30 liver transplant recipients, and biopsy specimens were taken from each recipient’s rectus muscle and the explanted liver. Preoperative serum concentration of HGF was determined. Whole body energy metabolism was assessed by measuring glycogen contents of biopsy specimens and plasma or serum levels of glucose, insulin, total ketone bodies, total carnitine, and amino acids.RESULTS Serum HGF concentration was elevated in 22 of 30 patients and correlated with the Child-Pugh score. It showed a negative association with muscle glycogen content, and a positive correlation with serum levels of glucose, total carnitine, and total ketone bodies. Patients with elevated serum HGF concentrations had higher preoperative plasma levels of aromatic amino acids and branched chain amino acids, associated with lower branched chain to aromatic amino acid ratios.CONCLUSIONS The elevated serum concentration of HGF in liver transplant candidates reflected inhibition of peripheral glucose storage, enhanced lipid oxidation, and increased peripheral release of branched chain amino acids, and thus extensive energy catabolism.HGFhepatocyte growth factorAAAaromatic amino acidBCAAbranched chain amino acid ER -