Efficacy of Daio for Liver Cirrhosis with Hepatic Encephalopathy / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

I experienced two patients with liver cirrhosis accompanied by hepatic encephalopathy whose signs and symptoms improved with Kampo medicine, mainly using Daio.<br>Case 1 was that of a 54-year-old female patient who visited my department because of ascites caused by liver cirrhosis and chronic nephritis. Bunsho-to-kekko-kagen was administered, which subsequently cleared the ascites. However, her level of consciousness was depressed concomitantly with the development of constipation. Hyperammonemia was also noted. Daio was added to this Kampo formulation with the doses being increased gradually. When the dose of Daio reached 10g, constipation improved, and the level of consciousness returned to normal.<br>Case 2 was a 68-year-old female patient with liver cirrhosis and hypertension. She felt very giddy and had hyperammonemia. Shichimotsu-koka-to (15g) was administered, increasing the dose of Daio powder up to 5g. Blood ammonia concentrations decreased in proportion to an increase in the dose of Daio. Amino acid composition was not affected.<br>It seems that Daio decreases ammonia directly as well as indirectly via its cathartic action and its antibacterial action against intestinal bacteria. Further, its sedative effect is probably related to the improvement of cerebral signs and symptoms.