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Eur J Pediatr Surg 2008; 18(6): 415-418
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1038950
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Serum Transforming Growth Factor-β1 and Epidermal Growth Factor in Biliary Atresia

P. Vejchapipat1 , A. Theamboonlers2 , S. Poomsawat3 , S. Chittmittrapap1 , Y. Poovorawan2
  • 1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • 2Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • 3Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Further Information

Publication History

received June 23, 2008

accepted after revision July 7, 2008

Publication Date:
14 November 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Background and Aim: Biliary atresia (BA) is a serious liver disease in children. Since transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are involved in the hepatic reparative process, our objective was to investigate whether serum TGF-β1 and serum EGF levels were associated with therapeutic outcomes in BA. Methods: Serum levels of TGF-β1 and EGF were determined with the ELISA method in 67 postoperative BA patients with a median age of 7 years and in 10 age-comparable healthy children. The BA patients were then divided into two groups depending on their therapeutic outcome: good outcome (jaundice-free) and poor outcome (persistent jaundice). Clinical data, serum TGF-β1 and serum EGF levels were compared between the two groups of BA patients. Correlation analysis of serum TGF-β1 with serum EGF was carried out. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. Results: Serum TGF-β1 levels of BA patients were higher than those of controls (86.6 ± 15.7 vs. 75.7 ± 8.8 ng/ml, p = 0.0362). However, there was no difference in serum EGF between BA patients and controls (133.1 ± 66.6 vs. 125.4 ± 88.9 pg/ml, p = 0.744). Further subgroup analysis showed that patients with good outcomes (n = 40) had higher serum TGF-β1 and serum EGF levels than patients with poor outcomes (TGF-β1: 91.2 ± 16.5 vs. 79.6 ± 11.7 ng/ml, p = 0.002; EGF: 148.5 ± 65.0 vs. 110.3 ± 63.4 pg/ml, p = 0.02). In addition, serum TGF-β1 was positively correlated with serum EGF (Pearson's r = 0.3418, p = 0.0046). Conclusion: Elevated serum TGF-β1 and serum EGF levels were associated with a good outcome in BA patients. There was a positive correlation between serum TGF-β1 and serum EGF. This suggests that the resultant TGF-β1 and EGF pathways may be involved in the pathophysiological process in postoperative BA.

Key words

biliary atresia - TGF - EGF

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Dr. M.D., Ph.D. Paisarn Vejchapipat

Department of Surgery
Chulalongkorn Hospital

Rama IV road, Patumwan

10330 Bangkok

Thailand

Email: pvejchap@yahoo.co.uk