Endothelial Markers in Schistosomiasis Patients With or Without Portal Hypertension

Purpose To evaluate the serum levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and endothelin-3 (ET-3) in patients with the isolated, inactive form of Schistosomiasis mansoni. Patients were classified into two groups: 10 patients without (SM group) and 18 with (PH group) portal hypertension. Results Serum albumin, VEGF, and vWF levels did not differ between the two groups (P > 0.05). the prothrombin time (INR), number of platelets, spleen size, splenic vein diameter, and endothelin levels differentiated the PH group, which showed decreased ET-1 (SM = 22.4 +/- A 2.4 pg/ml and PH = 16.4 +/- A 1.5 pg/ml; P = 0.034) and increased ET-3 (SM = 2.1 +/- A 0.1 ng/ml and PH = 3.2 +/- A 0.1 ng/ml; P = 0.000) levels. Conclusions in patients with schistosomiasis and portal hypertension (presinusoidal type), the levels of VEGF and ET-1 differ from those reported in patients with cirrhosis.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, BR-05674011 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Radiol, BR-05674011 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, BR-05674011 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Radiol, BR-05674011 São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 02/0562Web of Scienc