Clinical effects of Duphalac on blood ammonia level and results of number connection test of patients with liver cirrhosis

Objective] To observe the clinical effect of Duphalac on blood ammonia level, number connection test (NCT) and liver functions in patients with liver cirrhosis. [Methods] 72 cases were randomized into therapeutic group and control group. Patients in therapeutic group were given Duphalac while control patients took Vit C and Vit B complex. Blood ammonia level, number connection capability and liver functions were tested prior to treatment and 2,4 weeks after treatment. [Results] In therapeutic group, four weeks after treatment, blood ammonia level and NCT decreased from 2.15 (N-mg/L) and 100 (seconds) down to 1.36 (N-mg/L) and 56 (seconds) respectively. On the other hand, no marked differences were observed in blood ammonia level and NCT in control group. Difference was statistically significant. Moreover, in therapeutic group, after four weeks of treatment patients had markedly improved. Besides, liver functions in patients of the therapeutic group had also improved. [Conclusion] Duphalac is an effective drug in improving clinical symptoms and results of some lab tests in patients with subclinical hepatic encephalopathy, and thus may avoid hepatic encephalopathy.