Striking increase in circulating hepatocyte growth factor during enoxaparin-anticoagulated haemodialysis.

Sir, Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multipotent cytokine ofgrowing importance in tissue development, apoptosis, regenerationand repair of injuries. In chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients,serum HGF levels are increased, directly related to the extentof arteriosclerosis and chronic inflammation, and the prevalenceof cardiovascular disease and viral hepatitis, and may stimulateerythropoiesis [1,2]. They also independently predict mortalityin dialysis patients [2]. Increased HGF may thus be viewed asa marker of co-morbidity and