The roles of nitric oxide and endothelin in development of hepatic cirrhosis

Objective:To study the roles of plasma endothelin and nitric oxide in development of hepatic cirrhosis.Methods:The plasma levels of endothelin(ET) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNFα) were measured using radioimmunoassay in 74 patients with cirrhosis and 51 normal controls,meanwhile nitric oxide(NO)and fibronectin(FN) were measured by a coopercoated cadimium method and a rocket electrophoresis method,respectively.Results:The plasma levels of ET and NO were significantly increased in cirrhotic patients compaired with normal controls.Both ET and NO showed a positive correlation with TNFα and a negative correlation with FN.Additionally,the plasma ET and NO levels were increased and associated with severity of liver damage,or elevation of ascites or development of esophageal varices.There was no correlation between NO and ET in normal control and according to child-pugh group of class A in cirrhotic patients.However,a significantly positive correlation in group of class B and C,or middle and large quantity of ascites or esophageal varices.Conclutions:NO and ET played important roles in the deveplopment of hepatic cirrhosis,and synergistic effects on the decompensation and complication formation in cirrhotic patients.