L-arginine protects liver cancer patients on total parenteral nutrition / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objectives To study the liver protective effect of L arginine for postoperative cirrhotic patients with primary liver cancer (PLC) receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Methods Thirty preoperative cases were divided into two groupsGroup A,TPN only( n =14);Group B,TPN+arginine( n =16). Liver function, serum lipid, immune function and serum nitric oxide were observed on preoperative phase, postoperative day 1 (POD 1) and day 7 (POD7) respectively. Liver biopsy was taken for histological study intraoperatively and on POD 7. Results Compared with group A on POD7,AST and TBIL level were near preoperative level, ALB level signiflcanly decreased, TG was lower than preoperative level, CD4 + and NO increased signiflcanly,and the degree of liver steatosis showed a signiflcant decrease in group B. Conclusions Supplement of appropriate amounts of L arginine increases hepatic NO level, reduces serverity of hepatic steatosis associated with TPN, promotes postoperative recovery of transaminase activity, ameliorates cell mediated immunity and anti infection capacity in postoperative PLC patients.