TREATMENT OE HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY WITH GLUCAGON-INSULIN

Abstract

Effect of the glucagon-insulin (G-I) treatment upon hepatic encephalopathy was studied in 4 cases with fulminant hepatitis and 7 cases with cirrhosis of the liver. Of these 11 cases, 6 cases survived, and the awakening from consciousness disturbance was obtained in 9 cases. The mean treatment period before obtaining the awakening was 3.7 days, and this was accompanied by decreased blood ammonia levels, the mean pre-treatment value being 158 μg/dl, whereas the mean value after awakening from coma being 70μg/dl. Of liver function tests studied, there were marked improvements of serum GOT and GPT values, whereas serum albumin levels showed a tendency to fall by this treatment. Blood total amino acid contents were found to decrease by this treatment in normal controls, in patients with cirrhosis of the liver without encephalopathy, and also in patients presenting hepatic encephalopathy. These results are in support of the usefulness of the G-I treatment, no less better than conventional methods of treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, and the possible mechanism of action was discussed.