Study on the correlation of plasma NO, ET-1 and ALT in the patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis

The levels of plasma nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and ALT in the patients with chronic hepatitis B and active cirrhosis and the correlation among them were observed and analyzed. NO3− was restored by using cadmium column assay and NO2− measured by heavy nitrogen assay. The primitive NO3− and total restored NO2− (NO3− / NO2−) in plasma of the patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Plasma ET-1 and ALT levels were determined by using radioimmunological assay and Lai’s assay, respectively. Compared with normal control group, the plasma levels of NO2− /NO3− and ET-1 in the patients with chronic active hepatitis and active cirrhosis were significantly increased (P < 0.05 – 0.01). There was a positive correlation between NO and ALT, and ET-1 and ALT in the patients with chronic active hepatitis and active cirrhosis respectively. It was suggested that elevation of both NO and ET-1 levels were closely related with injury severity of liver function.