摘要
AIM： To evaluate the influence of Locarnitine on mental conditions and ammonia effects on patients with hepatic encephalopathy （HE）. METHODS： One hundred and fifty patients （10 patients with alcoholism, 41 patients with hepatitis virus B infection, 78 patients with hepatitis C virus infection, 21 patients with cryptogenetic cirrhosis） meeting the inclusion criteria were randomized into group A receiving a 90-d treatment with L-carnitine （2 g twice a day） or into group B receiving placebo in double blind. RESULTS： At the end of the study period, a significant decrease in NI-14 fasting serum levels was found in patients with hepatic encephalopathy （P〈0.0S） after the treatment with levocarnitine （LC）. Significant differences were also found between symbol digit modalities test and block design in patients with hepatic encephalopathy （P〈0.0S）. CONCLUSION： Results of our study suggest an important protective effect of L-carnitine against ammonia-precipitated encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients.
AIM: To evaluate the influence of L-carnitine on mental conditions and ammonia effects on patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE).METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients (10 patients with alcoholism, 41 patients with hepatitis virus B infection, 78 patients with hepatitis C virus infection,21 patients with cryptogenetic cirrhosis) meeting the inclusion criteria were randomized into group A receiving a 90-d treatment with L-carnitine (2 g twice a day) or into group B receiving placebo in double blind.RESULTS: At the end of the study period, a significant decrease in NH4 fasting serum levels was found in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (P＜0.05) afler the treatment with levocarnitine (LC). Significant differences were also found between symbol digit modalities test and block design in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION: Results of our study suggest an important protective effect of L-carnitine against ammonia-precipitated encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients.
