Objectives: To evaluate the role of nitric oxide (No) and endothelin-1 in portal hypertension patients with compensated
decompensated liver cirrhosis. Also, the effect of splenectomy and shunt operation on their levels in compensated patients.
Design: A randomized, group comparative, single center study.
Subjects: The present study included 32 bilharzial patients with portal hypertension (Clinically and radiologically
diagnosed), in addition to 10 matched subjects as a control group. The patients were classified into two groups: compensated and decompensated.Setting: Mansoura University.
Methods: serum albumin, bilirubin, ALT, AST, and nitric oxide (NO) Were measured by colorimetric assays while
plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) was measured by radio immunoassay after extraction. Prothrombin time was measured by using standard thromboplastin methods.
Results: The results of this study revealed significant increase of NO in compensated and decompensated groups in
comparison to control. After splenectomy and shunt operation No was significantly decreased than before operation but still higher in comparison to control. Plasma endothelin-l levels were significantly decreased in two groups in comparison to control. After operation endothelin-l was significantly increased in comparison to before operation, however, it is still lower than control. No showed significant negative correlation with endothelin-1 in different studied groups.
Conclusion: Portal hypertension is associated with significant increase in NO and significant decrease in endothelin-l
levels. These findings may play an important role in hemodynamic changes in cirrhosis and shunt operation may improve
liver functions by reducing portal hypertension and modulating the levels of NO and endothelin-1 patients with chronic liver diseases.