Deleted form of hepatocyte growth factor (dHGF) increases the number of platelets in rats with liver cirrhosis.

The effect of the deleted form of hepatocyte growth factor (dHGF) on thrombopoiesis was studied in rats. When normal rats were injected with dHGF (0.5 mg/kg i.v. twice a day), the number of platelets increased to about 1.5-fold the initial level. In addition, the treatment with dHGF (0.5 mg/kg i.v. twice daily) significantly increased the number of platelets in rats with liver cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride and phenobarbital. When dHGF was given to rats at a dose of 0.05 or 0.5 mg/kg from the beginning of the induction of dimethylnitrosamine liver cirrhosis to day 28, dHGF dose-dependently ameliorated thrombocytopenia and completely prevented it at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg. These results indicate that dHGF may be applicable to the treatment of thrombocytopenia associated with liver cirrhosis.