الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract The endothelins (ETs) are a family of 21-amino acid peptides, which are potent and long acting vasoconstrictors. They are endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin-2 (ET-2) and endothelin-3 (ET-3). ET-1 is an endothelium derived mitogenic and potent vasoconstrictor peptide. It is present in normal serum, and is synthesized as a propeptide which is then cleaved to form big endothelin (BET-1) and then to ET-1. It is suggested that ET-1 affects the haemodynamics of the liver particularly the microcirculation of the hepatic sinusoids through the activation of stellate cells. In the present study we studied the clinical significance of ET-1 in Egyptian children with schistosomal liver disease and hepatic veno-occlusive disease. Thirty normal children, twenty-six patients with schistosomal liver disease and ten patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease were included in the study. All patients and control children underwent; -Full history -Thorough clinical examination -Urine and stool analysis |