[The galactose eliminating capacity of the liver and its protein synthesis function in chronic liver diseases]

Assessment of the galactose elimination capacity has appeared to represent an suitable index of the total metabolic capacity of the liver inflicted with chronic hepatopathy. In a more severe disease e.g. cirrhosis hepatis the GEC assessment enabled to judge appropriately the among of hepatic tissue reduction which does not necessarily have to correspond with the grade according to Child-Pugh classification. It represents an helpful criterion also for a smaller decrease of the functional capacity of the liver, e.g. in moderate forms of hepatopathies, as e.g. steatosis and steatofibrosis hepatis, chronic active hepatitis. By means of examinations of the hepatic proteosynthetic function indices it was discovered that the level of prealbumin and the activity of cholinesterase are more sensitive parameters of the functional ability of impaired liver in comparison with albumin, prothrombin complex and transferrin. Assessment of prealbumin and cholinesterase in the group of patients with cirrhosis hepatis enabled the most significant mutual distinction of differently severe grades, in three differing subgroups of cirrhotic patients (Ci A, Ci B and Ci C). The presented parameters were significantly distinct also in groups of patients with chronic active hepatitis, and steatosis and steatofibrosis of the liver. (Fig. 6, Tab. 1, Ref. 29.)