Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
Isolated Hepatic Perfusion as a Treatment for Liver Metastases of Uveal Melanoma
Published on: January 25, 2015
Successful use of bromocriptine in the treatment of chronic hepatic encephalopathy
Insights
Bromocriptine significantly improved clinical symptoms and brain function in patients with severe hepatic encephalopathy. This treatment enhanced cerebral blood flow and metabolism, offering a useful option for refractory cases.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) is a severe complication of cirrhosis.
- Conventional therapies for CHE often have limited efficacy in severe cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bromocriptine in patients with severe CHE.
- To assess the impact of bromocriptine on cerebral blood flow and metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Six patients with cirrhosis and severe CHE were treated with bromocriptine.
- Clinical assessments, electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, and measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral oxygen consumption (CMRO2), and cerebral glucose consumption (CMRGlc) were performed.
- A cross-over design with placebo was utilized.
Main Results:
- All patients showed significant clinical improvement with bromocriptine treatment.
- EEG normalized in 3 patients, and significant increases in CBF, CMRO2, and CMRGlc were observed.
- Discontinuation of bromocriptine and cross-over to placebo resulted in clinical deterioration.
Conclusions:
- Bromocriptine is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for severe chronic hepatic encephalopathy.
- The drug improves cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism in these patients.
- Bromocriptine represents a valuable therapeutic option for CHE refractory to conventional treatments.
Abstract:
Six patients with cirrhosis and severe chronic hepatic encephalopathy were treated with bromocriptine. All showed significant overall improvement clinically and in 3, the electroencephalogram became normal. The cerebral blood flow increased significantly from 32.7 +/- 2.4 (mean +/- 1 SE) to 40.5 +/- 1.5 ml/100 g brain/min (P less than 0.05). Similarly, there were significant improvements in the cerebral oxygen consumption from 2.2 +/- 0.4 to 3.3 +/- 0.4 ml/100 g brain/min (P less than 0.02) and in cerebral glucose consumption from 2.1 +/- 0.6 to 6.6 +/- 1.6 mg/100 g brain/min (P less than 0.02). Cross-over to placebo produced overall deterioration, more marked in the patients who had received the active drug for the shorter time period. No serious side effects were seen; the drug was well tolerated in doses of up to 15 mg daily and is a useful treatment for chronic hepatic encephalopathy when the response to conventional therapy has been poor.
More Related Videos
09:48Quantification of Neurovascular Protection Following Repetitive Hypoxic Preconditioning and Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Mice
Published on: May 4, 2015
07:30Homogeneous Time-resolved Förster Resonance Energy Transfer-based Assay for Detection of Insulin Secretion
Published on: May 10, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
01:17Hepatic Drug Excretion: Enterohepatic Cycling
Post-release drugs and metabolites can be reabsorbed into the body from the intestine. For conjugated metabolites like glucuronides, reabsorption requires enzymatic hydrolysis by intestinal microflora. This...
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
01:08Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
01:29Hepatic Encephalopathy