RESUMO
AIM: Chronic liver disease (CLD) may be accompanied by portal hypertension (PHT). Nitric oxide (NO) system disturbances seem to play a key role in the pathogenesis of CLD and PHT. In this study we aim to assess if in chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and cirrhosis (CIR), CLD severity and etiology can be correlated with the serum level of NO metabolites. METHOD: The study was performed on 92 patients divided according to the diagnosis and Child-Pugh class, and a control group of 10 healthy volunteers. Serum nitrite/nitrate and citrulline levels were measured in order to evaluate NO synthesis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In CLD patients there was an increased NO production. In CIR NO synthesis increased more than in CAH. In CIR patients only nitrite/nitrate concentrations were correlated with citrulline levels. NO metabolites from CAH and CIR patients varied according to disease etiology, namely NO synthesis was more important in HCV-CLD than in alcoholic-CLD and HBV-CLD. In CIR patients, NO metabolites level increased with disease severity.
Assuntos
Biomarcadores/sangue , Hepatite Crônica/fisiopatologia , Cirrose Hepática/fisiopatologia , Óxido Nítrico/sangue , Adulto , Idoso , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Humanos , Cirrose Hepática Alcoólica/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Índice de Gravidade de DoençaRESUMO
Our study investigated the effects of Melilotus officinalis L. extract, containing 0.25% coumarin, on acute inflammation induced with oil of turpentine in male rabbits. The results were compared with those from a group treated with hydrocortisone sodium hemisuccinate and one injected with coumarin before inflammation was induced. The effects were evaluated by measuring serum citrulline, a test of in vitro phagocytosis, total leukocyte count and differential leukocyte count expressed as a percentage. M. officinalis had antiinflammatory effects because it reduced the activation of circulating phagocytes and lowered citrulline production. These properties were similar to those of hydrocortisone sodium hemisuccinate and coumarin. In the bone marrow acute phase response, M. officinalis had an inhibitory action that was lower than that of hydrocortisone sodium hemisuccinate and similar to coumarin.