Role of tryptophan in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy

To monitor serum levels of total and free tyryptophan in various hepatic dysregulations. The study was conducted on 36 adult patients. All were suffering from acute or chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis (n = 12), cirrhosis (n = 12) and Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) (n = 12). Patients of all age...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 2008-02, Vol.58 (2), p.68-70
Main Authors: SALEEM, Darakhshan M, HAIDER, Saida, KHAN, Moona M, SHAMSI, Tahir, HALEEM, Darakhshan J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Albumins
Biological and medical sciences
Female
General aspects
Hepatic Encephalopathy - chemically induced
Hepatic Encephalopathy - physiopathology
Hepatitis - physiopathology
Humans
Liver Cirrhosis - physiopathology
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects
Risk Factors
Tryptophan - adverse effects
Tryptophan - blood
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Summary:To monitor serum levels of total and free tyryptophan in various hepatic dysregulations. The study was conducted on 36 adult patients. All were suffering from acute or chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis (n = 12), cirrhosis (n = 12) and Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) (n = 12). Patients of all age groups and both genders were included. Serum levels of Tyryptophan (TRP) were measured by HPLC-EC. Albumin and bilirubin were analyzed by kit method (Merck). The serum levels of total TRP (p < 0.01) was found in all patients. Free TRP significantly (p < 0.01) increased only in HE. Patients with hepatitis and cirrhosis did not show significant change in serum free TRP. The Albumin levels significantly decreased in hepatitis, cirrhosis and in HE (p < 0.01). All patients exhibited hypoalbuminaemia (p < 0.01). The results suggest that an increased ratio of free to bound TRP enhances its availability to the brain, which in turn increases 5-HT synthesis thus precipitating encephalopathy.
ISSN:0030-9982