Changes and significance of serum endotoxin and TGF-β1 in patients with liver cirrhosis

Objective: To explore the changes of serum levels of endotoxin, TGF-β1, HA, PIIIP and their clinical implications. Methods: Serum endotoxin(with Limulus), serum level of TGF-β1(with RIA), serum HA, PIIIP(with RIA) were measured in 40 patients with liver cirrhosis and 35 controls. Results: Serum levels of endotoxin, TGF-β1, HA, PIIIP in these patients were significantly higher than in the controls(P < 0.01). Serum level of endotoxin was significantly positively correlated with TGF-β1, HA, PDP(r = 0.5612, 0.6073, 0.4925 respectively, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Endotoxin may promote TGF-β1 secreting in patients with liver cirrhosis and may play a role in promoting the development of liver fibrosis. (authors)