Abstract:
Objective: The aims of the present study were to determine the expression of transformation growth factor-β
1 (TGF-β
1) mRNA and TGF-β
1protein in the peripheral blood and its relation to serum levels of procollagen type Ⅲ N terminal peptide (PⅢP) in the patients with cirrhosis.
Methods: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 50 patients with cirrhosis and 8 normal healthy volunteers. Total RNA was extracted from PBMC and TGF-β
1mRNA was amplified from total RNA by nested RT PCR. Serum levels of TGF-β
1and PⅢP were determined.
Results: TGF-β
1mRNA could be detected in the peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMC) with high positive rate and serum levels of TGF-β
1and PⅢP were significantly higher than controls.
Conclusion: These results confirm the increased expression of TGF-β
1and the positive correlation between TGF-β
1and PⅢP in the patients with cirrhosis. And our results support the suggestion that TGF-β
1may be a significant factor in the increased collagen systhesis of human fibrosis.