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Effects of long-term oral misoprostol administration on hepatic amino acid–nitrogen metabolism in patients with cirrhosis
- Source :
-
Journal of Hepatology . Jul2002, Vol. 37 Issue 1, p15. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2002
-
Abstract
- Background: The acute infusion of a Prostaglandin of E series 1 (PGE1) analogue results in nitrogen sparing in cirrhosis.Aims: To test the effects of long-term oral PGE1 on hepatic and whole-body nitrogen metabolism.Patients and methods: Ten patients with advanced cirrhosis were studied in paired experiments, before and 30–50 days after oral misoprostol therapy. α-Amino-nitrogen levels and urea-nitrogen synthesis rate were measured in the post-absorptive state and in response to continuous alanine infusion (2 mmol/kg per hour for 4.5 h). Data were used to compute the functional hepatic nitrogen clearance, i.e. the slope of the regression of α-amino-N levels to urea-N synthesis rate, and the apparent nitrogen exchange.Results: Misoprostol reduced urea-N synthesis rate (during fasting and in response to alanine), resulting in a positive nitrogen exchange. The functional hepatic nitrogen clearance slightly increased, and the regression line was rightwards shifted, indicating a reduced urea synthesis rate at any α-amino-N concentration. Amino acid- and ammonia-N did not accumulate in plasma. No systematic effects on insulin and glucagon were observed.Conclusions: Data are consistent with a nitrogen sparing mechanism of misoprostol, not mediated by hormone levels. These effects may be beneficial in clinical hepatology, and need to be tested in controlled trials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *CIRRHOSIS of the liver
*PROSTAGLANDINS E
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01688278
- Volume :
- 37
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Hepatology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 7824707
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-8278(02)00094-6