Abstract
Effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcAMP), which is a permeable from of cyclic AMP, were studied in 33 patients with liver dysfunction. DBcAMP, 300-600 mg, was intravenously injected over a 10-24 hour period. The 33 patients were consisted of 7 undergone surgery for hepatic tumors, 8 with obstructive jaundice, 2 with hepatocellular jaundice, 4 with liver cirrhosis, each 4 operated on for gastric or pancreatic tumors respectively, 2 done for common bile duct tumors, one for a rectal tumor (transfusion hepatitis), and one undergoing irradiation.
The drug was effective in 19 (58%) patients. Adverse effects of DBcAMP observed in 18 (22 instances) of the 33 patients included nausea/vomiting, malaise/weakness, anorexia and palpitations. In treating these side effects, the following measures are recommended: reduction of the infusion rate of DBcAMP; intravenous infusion of an antiemetic agent, and intravenous injection of an adrenocortical hormone.
These results suggest that DBcAMP regimen is useful in acute liver dysfunction, particularly of the cholestatic type.
