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Effects of L-carnitine in patients with hepatic encephalopathy
Mariano Malaguarnera1, Giovanni Pistone, Rampello Elvira
1Ospedale Cannizzaro, via Messina, 829 95125 Catania, Italy. malaguar@unict.it
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) 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<0.05).
Conclusion:
Results of our study suggest an important protective effect of L-carnitine against ammonia-precipitated encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients.
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