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Relationship of plasma amino acids to nitrogen balance and portal-systemic encephalopathy in alcoholic liver disease

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Abstract

Plasma amino acids were compared in three groups of patients with alcoholic liver disease including stable cirrhosis, acute alcoholic hepatitis without portal-systemic encephalopathy, and cirrhosis with encephalopathy. In addition, plasma amino acids were correlated with nitrogen balance in patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis and with clinical improvement in patients with encephalopathy. Significant differences in plasma amino acids within these groups were present. Plasma amino acids did not change with improvement in portal-systemic encephalopathy, and abnormalities of plasma amino acids did not prevent maintenance or attainment of positive nitrogen balance in patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. V.A. Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky

    Fredrick L. Weber Jr. & Barbara J. Reiser

  2. The Department of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky

    Fredrick L. Weber Jr. & Barbara J. Reiser

Authors
  1. Fredrick L. Weber Jr.
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  2. Barbara J. Reiser
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This work was supported by the Veterans Administration.

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Weber, F.L., Reiser, B.J. Relationship of plasma amino acids to nitrogen balance and portal-systemic encephalopathy in alcoholic liver disease. Digest Dis Sci 27, 103–110 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01311702

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01311702

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