title: The effect of oxygen supplementation on the arterial ketone body ratio in human cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Data from studies in experimental models have suggested that the impairment of mitochondrial function and altered redox state that occur in cirrhosis may be due to impaired hepatic oxygenation. Since interventions that improve oxygen delivery to hepatocytes may improve mitochondrial functions, we studied the effects of oxygen supplementation on the arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR) in normal volunteers and patients with cirrhosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  After a 2-hour fast, ketone bodies were measured in arterial blood taken from patients and controls while breathing room air and then after breathing oxygen via a face mask at 12 liters/min for 60 min.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The AKBR was reduced in cirrhotic patients compared with controls, 0.74 +/- 0.23 and 1.51 +/- 0.4, respectively (p = 0.002). Oxygen supplementation significantly improved the AKBR in cirrhotic patients, from 0.74 +/- 0.23 to 1.04 +/- 0.28 (p = 0.001) but did not affect the AKBR in controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that reduced hepatocyte oxygenation contributes to impaired hepatic mitochondrial function in cirrhosis. Strategies at increasing hepatic oxygen delivery may improve hepatic mitochondrial function in patients with chronic liver disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Vic, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Froomes
authors.forename: Hany
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghabrial
authors.forename: Denis J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Angus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007657:Ketone Bodies / Q000097:blood*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
chemical_list: D007657:Ketone Bodies; D010100:Oxygen