PLASMA KALLIKREIN-KININ SYSTEM IN LIVER DISEASES

Especially in Alcoholic Liver Injuries

Abstract

We studied plasma kallikrein-kinin system in various liver disease especially in alcoholic liver injury from the inflammatory standpoint of view.
Plasma was collected from 21 cases with alcoholic liver injuries and 55 cases with non-alcoholic liver diseases. Plasma prekallikrein (PPK) and kallikrein (PK) activities were determined by the method of Nakamura's. Plasma high molecular weight kininogen (HMG-KN) concentration was determined by the method of Uchida and Katori's. PK activity was significantly elevated in aloholic liver injuries and decreased when absteining from alcohol. There was a significantly negative correlation between PK activity and HMG-KN concentration in alcoholic liver injuries. A single oral intake of 0.8g/kg ethanol was followed by the elevation of PK activity and gradual decrease in HMG-KN concentration in man. PPK activity and HMG-KN concentration were significantly decreased in relation to the severity of hepatoparencymal damage. Increase of PK activity in alcoholics might be related to a florid pathophysiological change in alcoholic liver injuries.