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01-03-2010 | Original Paper

Evidence for oxidative/nitrosative stress in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy

Authors: Chantal Bemeur, Paul Desjardins, Roger F. Butterworth

Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious complication of liver failure. HE manifests as a series of neuropsychiatric and neuromuscular symptoms including personality changes, sleep abnormalities, asterixis and muscle rigidity progressing through stupor to coma. The pathophysiologic basis of HE remains unclear. There is general agreement that ammonia plays a key role. In recent years, it has been suggested that oxidative/nitrosative stress constitutes part of the pathophysiologic cascade in HE. Direct evidence for oxidative/nitrosative stress in the pathogenesis of HE has been demonstrated in experimental animal models of acute or chronic liver failure. However, evidence from studies in HE patients is limited. This review summarizes this evidence for a role of oxidative/nitrosative stress in relation to ammonia toxicity and to the pathogenesis of HE.

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Title: Evidence for oxidative/nitrosative stress in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Chantal Bemeur
Paul Desjardins
Roger F. Butterworth
Publication date: 01-03-2010
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 0885-7490
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7365
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-010-9177-y

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Evidence for oxidative/nitrosative stress in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy

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