A study on transforming growth factor-alpha in chronic severe hepatitis

Objective To investigate the serum level of transforming growth factor-alpha(TGF-α)in chronic severe hepatitis patients,regeneration as well as prognosis.Methods The serum level of TGF-α of 26 cases with chronic severe hepatitis and 20 healthy individual(control group)was detected by ELISA technology.Results ①The serum average level of TGF-α of 26 patients with chronic severe hepatitis was higher than of the healthy individual(P=0.014).But there was no statistical difference between the serum level of TGF-α of 26 patients with chronic severe hepatitis and of healthy individual(P=0.349);②There was difference in serum level of TGF-αamong the chronic severe hepatitis patients:Serum TGF-αlevel in valid group was more elevated than in healthy individual(P=0.03),Serum TGF-αlevel in invalid group was slightly decreased than in healthy individual but there was no statistical significance(P=0.67).At convalescence,the Serum level of TGF-α in the valid group of patients with chronic severe hepatitis were significance more elevated than initial stages(P=0.032).The Serum level of TGF-α in the invalid group of patients with chronic severe hepatitis were more decreased prior to discharge or die,but there was no statistical significance(P= 0.331);③In group with chronic severe hepatitis,the serum level of TGF-αwas positive correlation with AFP,(rs =0.763,P=0.000).Conclusion ①There was difference among the Serum TGF-αlevel in chronic severe hepatitis patients with different prognosis;②In a sense,the Serum TGF-αlevel can reflect the state of hepatocyte regeneration;③Perhaps The serum TGF-αlevel will become a useful prognosis index in chronic severe hepatitis patients.