Aims: The present study assessed whether the serum concentrations of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and cytokines are altered in patients with fulminant hepatitis and whether plasma exchange affects these concentrations. Methods: Fifteen patients with fulminant hepatitis, 14 patients with severe acute hepatitis, and 20 healthy controls were included in this study. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), and TIMP-1 were determined in all patients upon hospital admission and before and after a single course of plasma exchange in the patients with fulminant hepatitis. Results: Ten out of the 15 patients with fulminant hepatitis and all patients with severe acute hepatitis survived. Serum TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β, and TIMP-1 levels in patients with fulminant hepatitis were significantly higher than the levels in patients with severe acute hepatitis (p < 0.01). IL-1β was not detectable in either group. Plasma exchange reduced the increased serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β, and TIMP-1 in patients with fulminant hepatitis (p < 0.01). Conclusions: These data suggest that increased serum levels of TIMP-1 and cytokines may reflect severe hepatic inflammation and that plasma exchange is an effective therapy to reduce these levels.

Keywords:
Extracellular matrix, Hepatitis, Growth factor, Apheresis
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel
2000
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.