title: Plasma gamma-aminobutyric acid in experimental fulminant hepatic failure of rats and its diagnostic value in hepatic encephalopathy.
abstract: The plasma concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was measured by radioreceptor assay in galactosamine (GalN)-induced Wistar rat model of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). The results of sequential observations in 10 FHF rats showed that the plasma GABA concentration doubled 24 hours after GalN injection, while there was no obvious clinical evidence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). In overt HE 48 hours after the administration of GalN, the plasma concentration of GABA reached the peak value of 9,744 +/- 1,661 pmol/ml, which was 12 times as high as that before GalN injection. The consciousness, plasma concentration of GABA and SGPT activity became normal 120 hours after GalN injection. It is suggested that determination of plasma concentration of GABA is of value in the diagnosis of HE.
authors.affiliation: Artificial Liver Research Laboratory, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Z M
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D005688:Galactosamine; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D005688:Galactosamine; D000410:Alanine Transaminase