Correlation Between Serum Level of Nitric Oxide and Grade of Congestive Gastropathy in Egyptian Patients With Portal Hypertension

Abstract

Nitric Oxide is a potent vasodilator involved in the control of vascular tone. Nitric oxide has been proposed as a mediator of hyperdynamic circulation in cirrhosis; hyperdynamic circulation is characterized by generalized vasodilatation, increased cardiac output and regional blood flow (Genesca eta/., 1999).

' ;- In liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension and severe portal hypertensive gastropathy there is a significant higher activity of gastric mucosal nitric oxide synthase supporting that NO is involved in the vasodilatation of gastric mucosal vessels and though causing an active hyperdynamic circulatory state for portal hypertensive gastropathy (El-Newihi eta/., 1996).

This study was performed on 50 patients. The patients were classified into 3 groups; the cirrhotic group included 30 patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertensive gastropathy. According to Child-Pugh classification they were subdivided into 3 subgroups; child A (10 patients), child B (10 patients) and Child C (10 patients). The chronic active hepatitis (CAH) group included 10 patients with chronic active hepatitis (Viral hepatitis C) and no evidence of cirrhosis or portal hypertension proved by liver biopsy and laboratory investigations. The control group included 10 patients with dyspepsia and/or epigastric pain with no evidence of chronic liver disease.