Nasser Mousa1, Ahmed Abdel-Razik2, Ashraf Zaher3, Magdy Hamed4, Gamal Shiha4, Narmin Effat5, Sherif Elbaz6, Rania Elhelaly5, Mohamed Hafez7, Niveen El-Wakeel8, Waleed Eldars8. 1. Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, 35516 Mansoura, Egypt. 2. Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt. 3. Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt. 5. Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt. 6. Endemic Diseases and Gastroenterology Department, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt. 7. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt. 8. Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) has a far-reaching impact on quality and function ability in daily life and may progress to overt hepatic encephalopathy. There is a synergistic effect between systemic oxidative stress and ammonia that is implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of oral supplementation of antioxidants and zinc gluconate on MHE versus lactulose. METHODS: Our study included 58 patients with cirrhosis diagnosed as having MHE by neuropsychometric tests, including number connection test part A (NCT-A), digit symbol test (DST) and block design tests (BDTs). Patients were randomized to receive 175 mg zinc gluconate, 50,000 IU vitamin A, 500 mg vitamin C and 100 mg vitamin E once daily plus lactulose, dose 30-60 ml/day for 3 months [group A (n = 31)] or initiated and maintained on lactulose dose 30-60 ml/day for 3 months [group B (n = 27)]. Neuropsychometric tests and laboratory investigations were repeated after 3 months of therapy. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline neuropsychometric tests, a significant improvement was reported in patients with MHE after 3 months of antioxidant and zinc therapy (group A) versus patients with lactulose therapy (group B) (NCT-A, p <0.001; DST, p = 0.006; BDT, p < 0.001). Antioxidant and zinc supplementation significantly decreased arterial ammonia level, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p < 0.001) and improved Child-Pugh score in MHE after 3 months of therapy (p= 0.024). CONCLUSION:Antioxidant and zinc supplementation can improve MHE in patients with liver cirrhosis.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) has a far-reaching impact on quality and function ability in daily life and may progress to overt hepatic encephalopathy. There is a synergistic effect between systemic oxidative stress and ammonia that is implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of oral supplementation of antioxidants and zinc gluconate on MHE versus lactulose. METHODS: Our study included 58 patients with cirrhosis diagnosed as having MHE by neuropsychometric tests, including number connection test part A (NCT-A), digit symbol test (DST) and block design tests (BDTs). Patients were randomized to receive 175 mg zinc gluconate, 50,000 IU vitamin A, 500 mg vitamin C and 100 mg vitamin E once daily plus lactulose, dose 30-60 ml/day for 3 months [group A (n = 31)] or initiated and maintained on lactulose dose 30-60 ml/day for 3 months [group B (n = 27)]. Neuropsychometric tests and laboratory investigations were repeated after 3 months of therapy. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline neuropsychometric tests, a significant improvement was reported in patients with MHE after 3 months of antioxidant and zinc therapy (group A) versus patients with lactulose therapy (group B) (NCT-A, p <0.001; DST, p = 0.006; BDT, p < 0.001). Antioxidant and zinc supplementation significantly decreased arterial ammonia level, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p < 0.001) and improved Child-Pugh score in MHE after 3 months of therapy (p= 0.024). CONCLUSION: Antioxidant and zinc supplementation can improve MHE in patients with liver cirrhosis.
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