Study of the relationship between lung function,nitric oxide and endothelin -1 in hypoxemia of liver cirrhosis

Objective To explore the relationship between lung function,nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin -1 (ET-1) in hypoxemia of liver cirrhosis. Method Lung function,NO, ET-1 and various clinical and biochemical parameter was detected in 60 patients with liver cirrhosis (liver cirrhosis group)and 30 healthy controls ( normal control group). Results The level of NO in liver cirrhosis group was significantly higher than that in normal control group [ ( 86.74 ± 32.49 ) μ mol/L vs (52.46 ± 8.77 ) μ mol/L, P 0.05 ). Conclusions Hypoxemia of liver cirrhosis occurs in the early stage of liver cirrhosis. NO and ET-1 are involved corporately in the development of liver cirrhosis, but not the main factors facilitating hypoxemia of liver cirrhosis. Key words: Endothelins;  Respiratory function tests;  Nitric oxide;  Hypoxemia of liver cirrhosis