Some hormonal and electrolyte diurnal changes in patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis.

ABSTRACT

Diurnal variation in plasma renin and aldosterone, serum sodium and potassium were studied in schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis with and without ascites. The study revealed a significant decrease in the level of renin and aldosterone in patients without ascites as compared to the control group with preservation of the diurnal changes, and a statistically significant rise in the level of both hormones in patients with ascites, with loss of diurnal variation. The level of serum sodium has shown a significant decrease in all groups of patients as compared to the control, while serum potassium did not show significant change. No significant diurnal changes in the level of the electrolytes could be detected in the studied groups. Positive correlation between renin and aldosterone could be detected only in schistosomal hepatic fibrosis with ascites. The loss of diurnal change in the level of aldosterone in patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis can be considered an important warning for a clinical deterioration