title: Role of tryptophan in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To monitor serum levels of total and free tyryptophan in various hepatic dysregulations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted on 36 adult patients. All were suffering from acute or chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis (n = 12), cirrhosis (n = 12) and Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) (n = 12). Patients of all age groups and both genders were included. Serum levels of Tyryptophan (TRP) were measured by HPLC-EC. Albumin and bilirubin were analyzed by kit method (Merck).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum levels of total TRP (p < 0.01) was found in all patients. Free TRP significantly (p < 0.01) increased only in HE. Patients with hepatitis and cirrhosis did not show significant change in serum free TRP. The Albumin levels significantly decreased in hepatitis, cirrhosis and in HE (p < 0.01). All patients exhibited hypoalbuminaemia (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that an increased ratio of free to bound TRP enhances its availability to the brain, which in turn increases 5-HT synthesis thus precipitating encephalopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sir Syed University of Engineering Technology, Karachi.
authors.forename: Darakhshan M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Saleem
authors.forename: Saida
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haider
authors.forename: Moona M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Tahir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shamsi
authors.forename: Darakhshan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Haleem
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000418:Albumins; D005260:Female; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D014364:Tryptophan