Beneficial effects of the 2-day administration of terlipressin in patients with cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
A treatment to induce a sustained increase in glomerular filtration rate in patients with hepatorenal syndrome has not yet been identified. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of terlipressin for 2 days on the glomerular filtration rate in patients with cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome.


METHODS
A double-blind, cross-over randomized study was performed in nine patients. Patients received terlipressin (2 mg/day for 2 days) and a placebo for 2 days in a randomized order.


RESULTS
Terlipressin administration significantly increased creatinine clearance (from 15+/-2 ml/min to 27+/-4 ml/min) and urine output (from 628+/-67 ml/day to 811+/-76 ml/day), but did not significantly change urinary sodium concentrations. Urinary sodium excretion was not significantly different after placebo administration (0.6+/-0.1 mmol/24 h) and terlipressin administration (9.3+/-7.2 mmol/24 h). Terlipressin administration significantly decreased plasma concentrations of renin and aldosterone but not atrial natriuretic peptide levels. Placebo elicited no significant effects.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that 2-day terlipressin administration increases the glomerular filtration rate in patients with cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome.
Hadengue
A
A
Laboratoire d'Hémodynamique Splanchnique et de Biologie Vasculaire, INSERM and Service d'Hépatologie, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France.
Gadano
A
A
Moreau
R
R
Giostra
E
E
Durand
F
F
Valla
D
D
Erlinger
S
S
Lebrec
D
D
D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006530:Hepatorenal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008236:Lypressin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012964:Sodium / Q000652:urine; D000077585:Terlipressin
D008236:Lypressin; D000077585:Terlipressin; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D012964:Sodium