Clinical efficacy of 'essential' phospholipids in patients chronically exposed to organic solvents

A total of 45 workers, who had been chronically exposed to a potentially hepatotoxic xylene-toluene-benzene mixture in the atmosphere, were treated for 3 months with 'essential' phospholipids. Routine biochemical tests and radioisotope investigations to assess liver damage were carried out both at baseline and after treatment. The liver:spleen index was increased in 71% of subjects and the mean isotope transit time in the liver was reduced in 90% of the patients after treatment. The biochemical parameters remained within the normal range throughout the treatment period. The results suggest that 'essential' phospholipids may be of value in the treatment of liver damage that has arisen as a result of chronic exposure to organic solvents.