Asian Journal of Research and Reports in Hepatology

Hepatic Encephalopathy Uncommonly Presenting by Epilepsy and Hemiparesis: A Case Report

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious complication of cirrhosis that presents with a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, including disorientation, asterixis and coma. Such neurological disorders are because of hyperammonemia. However, hepatic encephalopathy with neurological symptoms resembling epilepsy and hemiparesis is uncommon. We present a case of decompensated liver cirrhosis manifesting initially by epilepsy and hemiparesis.

Case Report: A 59-year-old male smoker known to be diabetic, which was well controlled, presented to our hospital with a chief complaint of epileptic attacks over the past 24 hours in addition to dizziness, sudden-onset left-sided weakness and disturbed level of consciousness with a Glasgow Coma Scale rating of 13. Brain CT scan and MRI revealed supratentorial white matter changes with no signs of stroke or bleeding. Electroencephalogram (EEG) showed diffuse slow wave rhythm. Initially, the patient was treated with antiepileptic drugs with no improvement. Laboratory examination suggested liver cirrhosis. Plasma ammonia levels upon admission were 2 times the normal value. Abdominal imaging showed chronic hepatopathy, portosystemic varices and splenomegaly. Upper endoscopy showed esophageal varices. Liver cirrhosis was confirmed by transient elastography. The aetiology of cirrhosis was considered metabolic. As a result, the diagnosis of HE was made. The symptoms were improved by adding lactulose and Rifaximin to antiepileptic treatment.

Conclusion: Though uncommon, hepatic encephalopathy, as a complication of liver cirrhosis, should be considered in patients presenting with epilepsy and hemiparesis. Antiepileptic drugs combined with lactulose are essential for treatment.

An Assessment of Hepatoprotective Activity of Aloe barbadensis on Rat Model with Safety Profile Analysis

Sat, 27 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The art of employing herbs and herbal medications to preserve health and prevent, is an ancient practice. To continue the legacy we selected Aloe barbadensis extract to assess its lipid lowering effect on rat model. Here, it has been observed that Groups 5 and 6 showed statistically significant results (P<0.05) in the renal function test. Groups 4 and 5 exhibited significant levels of creatinine. When considering the SGPT and SGOT, it was seen that the SGOT levels in groups 5 and 6 were statistically significant (P<0.05). On the other hand, the SGOT levels were found to be significant in groups 6 and 7. In the instance of the lipid profile test, the outcome was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05) in groups 4, 5, and 6 for the total cholesterol level. In the case of triglyceride levels, however, there is no result that can be considered statistically significant. In the case of groups 5 and 6, the HDL level exhibited statistically significant (P<0.05) outcomes, but the LDL level showed statistically significant results in the case of group 6.

An Assessment of Hepatoprotective Activity of Catharanthus roseus on CCL4 Induced Rat Model with Safety Profile Analysis

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Using herbs and herbal medications to preserve health and prevent, treat, or cure illness is the art or practice of herbal remedies. Herbal remedies are also known as herbal medicine. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) poisoning is a commonly used animal model to study liver damage caused by oxidative stress and to evaluate the effectiveness of potential treatment medicines in protecting the liver. Research was conducted on rats to investigate the lipid profiles of Catharanthus roseus extract by CCL4 induced hepatotoxicity method. Furthermore, when it comes to the kidney function test, there are outcomes that are statistically significant (p<0.05) in groups 5, 6. Regarding urea, however, there is no result that can be considered statistically significant (p<0.05). Upon performing the liver function test, the levels of SGOT in group 6 at a dosage of 600 mg/kg exhibit statistically significant (p<0.05) results. In contrast, no statistically significant results were seen in the SGOT case. The results of a lipid profile function test indicate that there are statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in the levels of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. Group 5 demonstrated statistically significant results (p<0.05) concerning HDL, while group 6 demonstrated significant results (p<0.05) concerning LDL and triglyceride investigations. Such insights may be helpful to those suffering from liver diseases.

A Study on the Hepatoprotective Potential of Methanol Seed Extract of (Carica papaya) Pawpaw in CCl4 Induced Hepatic Damage in Wistar Rats

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The liver performs a variety of crucial metabolic processes, including being a hub for the metabolism of nutrients and the excretion of waste products. The liver plays a vital role in life. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective efficacy of Carica papaya seed extract on hepatic damage induced with CCl₄. Carica papaya seeds obtained from ripe pawpaw fruit were processed into fine powder and subsequently extract. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. Groups II-VI were administered carbon tetrachloride (2 mL/kg body weight) and olive mixed in the ratio of 1:1 to induce acute liver injury. Group I was the normal control and was administered 1 mL/kg of distilled water. Group II was not administered CP extract. Group III was administered 100 mg/kg bw of CP extract. Group IV was administered 200 mg/kg bw of CP extract. Group V was administered 300 mg/kg bw of CP extract. Group VI was administered 100 mg/kg bw of standard drug (Silymarin). Animal body weight was determined twice i.e., at the commencement the study and at the completion of the study. Administration of carbon tetrachloride significantly (P<0.05) raised the activities of the liver enzymes i.e., Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). However, oral administration of CP seed extract significantly (P<0.05) lowered the activities of the said enzymes though to level which were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that reported for the normal control. A contrary observation was however made on the activity of AST. The body weight of rat at the completion of the experiment was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that reported at the commencement of the study. Meanwhile, a contrary observation was made on group II. In conclusion, it can be deduced from this study that that methanol seed extract of Carica papaya may have the ability to ameliorate chemically induced hepatic damage.