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Expression of Urotensin II and Its Receptor in Human Liver Cirrhosis and Fulminant Hepatic Failure

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Abstract

Objectives

Urotensin II [U-II] plasma levels are increased in liver cirrhosis [LC] and are discussed as an important mediator of portal hypertension since the U-II antagonist palosuran has beneficial effects on portal hypertension by increasing splanchnic resistance. Nevertheless, no data are available on the intrahepatic expression of U-II and its receptor [UT] in humans.

Methods

U-II and UT expression were analyzed in the livers of patients with LC, fulminant hepatic failure [FHF], and normal controls [NC] using immunohistochemistry.

Results

Both U-II and UT were expressed in the liver on endothelial cells from arteries, veins, and bile ducts as well as on Kupffer cells. In LC, the total number of U-II-expressing cells was 20% lower compared to NC (P < 0.001), while expression of UT did not differ between LC and NC. In contrast, significant enhanced number of U-II and UT positive cells were found in FHF compared to LC and NC (P < 0.001). U-II and UT expression was also found in portal veins, without differences between LC and NC.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that U-II and UT are not elevated in human cirrhotic livers but are in livers of patients with FHF.

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Abbreviations

FHF:

Fulminant hepatic failure

LC:

Liver cirrhosis

NC:

Normal controls

U-II:

Urotensin II

UT:

Urotensin receptor

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Köln-Kalk, Buchforstrasse 2, 51103, Cologne, Germany

    Ludger Leifeld

  2. Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    Christoph Clemens, Jörg Heller, Jonel Trebicka, Tilman Sauerbruch & Ulrich Spengler

Authors
  1. Ludger Leifeld
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  2. Christoph Clemens
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  3. Jörg Heller
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  4. Jonel Trebicka
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  5. Tilman Sauerbruch
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  6. Ulrich Spengler
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Correspondence to Ludger Leifeld.

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Leifeld, L., Clemens, C., Heller, J. et al. Expression of Urotensin II and Its Receptor in Human Liver Cirrhosis and Fulminant Hepatic Failure. Dig Dis Sci 55, 1458–1464 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-0875-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-0875-4

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