Clinical Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2003. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 15, 2003; 9(7): 1584-1588
Published online Jul 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i7.1584
Expression of local renin and angiotensinogen mRNA in cirrhotic portal hypertensive patient
Li Zhang, Zhen Yang, Bao-Min Shi, Da-Peng Li, Chong-Yun Fang, Fa-Zu Qiu
Li Zhang, Bao-Min Shi, Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China
Zhen Yang, Fa-Zu Qiu, Department of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong Science and Technology University, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
Da-Peng Li, Department of General Surgery, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200080, China
Chong-Yun Fang, Immunology Institute of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong Science and Technology University, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No 30170920
Correspondence to: Li Zhang, Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China. pzzl@sina.com
Telephone: 0531-5266692
Received: November 29, 2002
Revised: January 4, 2003
Accepted: January 13, 2003
Published online: July 15, 2003
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the expression of local renin and angiotensinogen mRNA in cirrhotic portal hypertensive patients.

METHODS: The expression of local renin and angiotensinogen mRNA in the liver, splenic artery and vein of PH patients was detected by RT-PCR analysis.

RESULTS: Expression of local renin mRNA in the liver of control group was (0.19 ± 0.11), significantly lower than that in splenic artery(0.45 ± 0.17)or splenic vein(0.39 ± 0.12) respectively, (P < 0.05). Expression of local angiotensinogen mRNA in the liver was (0.64 ± 0.21), significantly higher than that in splenic artery(0.41 ± 0.15) or in splenic vein (0.35 ± 0.18) respectively, (P < 0.05). Expression of local renin mRNA in the liver, splenic artery and vein of PH group was (0.78 ± 0.28), (0.86 ± 0.35) and (0.81 ± 0.22) respectively, significantly higher than that in the control group, (P < 0.05). Expression of local angiotensinogen mRNA in the liver, splenic artery and vein of PH group was (0.96 ± 0.25), (0.83 ± 0.18) and (0.79 ± 0.23) respectively, significantly higher than that in the control group, (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the liver, splenic artery and vein in the expression of local renin or local angiotensinogen mRNA in PH group, (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: In normal subjects the expression of local renin and angiotensinogen mRNA was organ specific, but with increase of the expression of LRAS, the organ-specificity became lost in cirrhotic patients. LRAS may contribute to increased resistance of portal vein with liver and formation of splanchnic vasculopathy.

Keywords: $[Keywords]