Plasma met-enkephalin, beta-endorphin and leu-enkephalin levels in human hepatic encephalopathy
EMHJ-Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 2007; 13 (2): 257-265
in English
| IMEMR
| ID: emr-156993
ABSTRACT
To address the role of the opioid system in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy [HE] we measured plasma met- enkephalin, beta -endorphin and leu- enkephalin in patients with different grades of HE compared to control subjects and patients with cirrhosis. Plasma met- enkephalin levels were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis and all grades of HE than controls. Plasma beta levels were similar in the 3 groups. Plasma leu- enkephalin levels were significantly higher -endorphin in HE grades II, III and IV than in controls, patients with cirrhosis and HE grade I patients. Our results support data on the involvement of met- enkephalin and leu- enkephalin in the pathogenesis of HE and provide a rationale for the use of opioid receptor antagonists in the treatment of HE
Search on Google
Index:
IMEMR (Eastern Mediterranean)
Main subject:
Enkephalin, Leucine
/
Enkephalin, Methionine
/
Beta-Endorphin
/
Hepatic Encephalopathy
/
Opioid Peptides
/
Liver Function Tests
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
East Mediterr Health J.
Year:
2007
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS