title: [Effects of metadoxine on main biohumoral changes induced by chronic alcoholism].
abstract: The paper aims to evaluate the effects of metadoxine on liver function tests in chronic alcohol abusers without a clear alcohol dependence, by means of an open trial carried out in 7 hospitals in Tuscany. The study comprised 72 patients with a daily alcohol intake of at least 80 g for men and 30 g for women, over a period of at least 5 years. The patients were urgently requested to stop drinking, and were randomly divided into 2 groups, of which the first (52 subjects) was treated with metadoxine (500 mg twice a day) and the second (20 subjects) received only some vitamins. Interviews and blood tests were performed 1 and 2 months after the trial began. Statistical calculations were made using the chi-square and Student's tests. Metadoxine induced a more rapid reduction of SGOT and SGPT and, possibly, of Gammagt; these effects were especially evident, and were associated with a significant reduction of MCV, in 20 patients (12 in the first group and 8 in the second) in whom blood test abnormalities were greatest. No unfavorable side effects were observed that could be attributed to the drug. Metadoxine can therefore be considered a valuable resource in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Gastroenterologia, USL 12, Pisa.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Corsini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gelso
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giuliano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011761:Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; C037845:metadoxine; D011736:Pyridoxine; D011761:Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid
vernacular_title: Effetti della metadoxina sulle principali alterazioni bio-umorali indotte dall'etilismo cronico.