Significant Correlation Between Surgical Stress Of Hepatectomy And Changes In The Serum Levels Of Hgf, Il-6 And Soluble Fas In Patients With Viral Hepatitis

Background/Aims: Liver damage after hepatectomy is still a serious concern. The present study was designed to clarify the relations between liver injury/surgical stress and cytokines after hepatectomy, in patients with viral hepatitis.Methodology: Ten consecutive patients undergoing hepatectomy were studied, all with hepatocellular carcinoma due to viral hepatitis. Blood samples for interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), soluble Fas (sFas), soluble Fas Ligand and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR) assays were collected before the operation and at the end of the operation.Results: There was a significant and positive correlation between the change in the serum level of HGF and preoperative liver function (ICG-R15). Notably, there were significant correlations between surgical stress and IL-6, HGF and sFas, but not sIL-6R and sTNFR. Furthermore, there was significant correlation between postoperative Ever function (total bilirubin, albumin) and HGF, IL-6.Conclusions: There was a close relationship between surgical stress and HGF, IL-6 and sFas after hepatectomy in patients with viral hepatitis. It was useful for the evaluation of surgical stress of hepatectomy to estimate the serum level of HGF, IL-6 and sFas.