Urinary transforming growth factor β 1 levels in hepatitis C virus‐related chronic liver disease: Correlation between high levels and severity of disease

To assess the clinical relevance of transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF‐β 1 ) in chronic liver disease, urinary TGF‐β 1 and circulating aminoterminal propeptides of type III procollagen (PIIINP) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay in 100 cirrhotic patients, 44 patients with chronic hepatitis, and 50 healthy controls. TGF‐β 1 and PIIINP levels in cirrhotic patients were higher than those in patients with chronic hepatitis (each P < .0001) or healthy controls (each P < .0001), respectively. There was a correlation between TGF‐β 1 and PIIINP levels in patients (r = .858, P < .0001). The higher the urinary TGF‐β 1 level, the worse the severity of chronic liver disease ( P < .001). TGF‐β 1 levels in cirrhotic patients with antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV) were higher than in those without ( P <.0001). Compared with cirrhotic patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) alone, those with HBsAg and anti‐HCV had higher TGF‐ β 1 levels ( P < .001), a higher frequency of raised TGF‐β 1 ( P < .005), and a higher frequency of patients with Child‐Pugh C ( P < .005). Multivariate analysis indicated that the TGF‐β 1 level was significantly correlated with the presence of cirrhosis. In conclusion, urinary TGF‐β 1 levels may be used as a marker for hepatic fibrogenesis. Higher urinary TGF‐β 1 levels correlate with more severe liver disease.