Effects of long-term oral misoprostol administration on hepatic amino acid-nitrogen metabolism in patients with cirrhosis.
J Hepatol
; 37(1): 15-21, 2002 Jul.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-12076857
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 ANDMETHODS:
Ten patients with advanced cirrhosis were studied in paired experiments, before and 30-50 days after oral misoprostol therapy. alpha-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 4.5h). Data were used to compute the functional hepatic nitrogen clearance, i.e. the slope of the regression of alpha-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 alpha-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.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Misoprostol
/
Hígado
/
Cirrosis Hepática
/
Antiulcerosos
Límite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Hepatol
Asunto de la revista:
GASTROENTEROLOGIA
Año:
2002
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia