The effect of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline in the treatment of acute viral hepatitis.
BACKGROUND
Polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline is a preparation often advocated for diseases of the liver.


METHODS
In a randomized open controlled trial, a preparation of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline, at a dose of 900 mg orally daily, was given to 22 patients with acute viral hepatitis. A control group of 25 patients was not treated.


RESULTS
Serial serum bilirubin and alanine amino transferase levels were measured up to 12 weeks. The falls in their levels after 2 and 5 weeks, and the lengths of time to their normalization, were not significantly different in the treated group compared to the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline had no beneficial effect on the course of acute viral hepatitis.
Guan
R
R
Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
Ho
K Y
KY
Kang
J Y
JY
Yap
I
I
Gwee
K A
KA
Tan
C C
CC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; C029449:polyene phosphatidylcholine; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin