Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplementation May Benefit Cirrhotic Patients with Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy

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Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplementation May Benefit Cirrhotic Patients with

Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy

http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: " Acetyl-L-Carnitine Treatment in Minimal Hepatic

Encephalopathy, " Malaguarnera M, Rampello L, et al, Dig Dis Sci, 2008

Mar 21; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Senescence,

Urological and Neurological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Messina

829, 95125, Catania, Italy. E-mail: malaguar@... ).

Summary: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

involving 125 cirrhotic patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy

(MHE), results indicate that supplementation with acetyl-L-carnitine

(ALC) may exert beneficial effects. The patients were randomized to

receive ALC (2 g twice daily) or placebo for a period of 90 days. At

intervention end, ALC supplementation resulted in improvements in MHE

(trail Making Test, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Auditory Verbal

Learning Test) and cognitive function (mini Mental State Examination).

Additionally, ALC supplementation was associated with a significant

decrease in prothrombin time, bilirubin serum levels, AST, and fasting

NH(4) serum levels, and a significant increase in albumin serum level.

Thus, the authors conclude, " Our study has demonstrated that the

administration of ALC may improve neurological symptoms and plasmatic

parameters in MHE. "

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