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(Hypertension. 2003;41:88.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.

Scientific Contributions

Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Left Ventricular Geometry in End-Stage Renal Disease

Lorenzo S. Malatino; Alessandro Cataliotti; Francesco A. Benedetto; Benedetta Stancanelli; Ignazio Bellanuova; Paola Belluardo; Lorena Bonaiuto; Giovanni Tripepi; Francesca Mallamaci; Pietro Castellino; Carmine Zoccali

From Clinica Medica "L. Condorelli," Department of Internal Medicine, University of Catania (L.S.M., A.C., B.S., I.B., P.B., L.B., P.C.), Italy; the Cardiology Unit of Morelli Hospital (F.A.B.), Reggio Calabria, Italy; and CNR, Centre of Clinical Physiology and Division of Nephrology (G.T., F.M., C.Z.), Reggio Calabria, Italy.

Correspondence to Prof Lorenzo S. Malatino, MD, Section of Clinica Medica Luigi Condorelli, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Catania, Ospedale Vittorio Emanuele, Via Plebiscito 628, 95124 Catania, Italy. E-mail dmalatin{at}tin.it

Hepatocyte growth factor is a pleiotropic cytokine with cardioprotective properties. Its serum concentration is markedly raised in end-stage renal disease. This study assessed the relation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) with left ventricular mass and geometry in end-stage renal disease. Serum HGF measurements and echocardiographic studies were performed in 185 patients receiving hemodialysis. Patients with serum HGF above the median (1.85 ng/mL) had more frequent cardiovascular complications. This cytokine was directly related to mean left ventricular wall thickness (r=0.23, P=0.002) and relative wall thickness (r=0.25, P=0.0001); a multivariate analysis showed that this relation was independent of other risk factors. Accordingly, the prevalence of left ventricular concentric geometry (either concentric left ventricular hypertrophy or remodeling) was much higher (n=49, 53%) among patients with HGF values above the median that in those with values 1.85 ng/mL (n=31, 34%). Furthermore, the risk for left ventricular concentric geometry was higher in patients with HGF values above the median (odds ratio, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.33 to 4.98; P=0.005), and multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed that this association was independent of other risk factors. In patients receiving hemodialysis, elevated serum HGF is associated with concentric left ventricular geometry. This is consistent with reports that link this cytokine to arterial remodeling and survival in patients with end-stage renal disease and suggests that it is part of a counterregulatory response aimed at attenuating cardiovascular damage in this high-risk population.

Key Words: growth substances • renal disease • remodeling • hypertrophy

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