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.