Examination of the utility of the carnitine replacement therapy for hyperammonemia

Abstract

A lot of opportunities when hyperammonemia in patients with cirrhosis meets by common practice often suffer from treatment. In late years reports that carnitine replacement therapy is useful for hyperammonemia increase. We examined 21 cases using the levocarnitine preparation for hyperammonemia in this hospital in January, 2013 from February, 2012. (p=0.0038) which a serum ammonia level one month later significantly decreased in a case with or more Child-Pugh score ten points. Also, in the group (following decrease group) which a serum ammonia level decreased, a serum albumin level, a serum whole cholesterol level, the serum cholinesterase level to express an alimentary index tended to be moderately as compared with a group (following non-decrease group) which did not decrease low, and the cross section of the psoas major muscle tended to be moderately small in decrease group. In cases a Child-Pugh score10 point or more, the likelihood that an effect to lower the serum ammonia level could expect was suggested by carnitine replacement therapy for a poor dietary intake case and a muscle weakness case.