Increased carbon monoxide production in patients with cirrhosis with and without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Carbon monoxide, a product of the heme-oxygenase (HO) pathway, is an important endogenous vasoactive substance. Production of CO has not been assessed in human cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to assess production of CO in patients with cirrhosis with and without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting versus paracentesis plus albumin for refractory ascites in cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has been shown to be more effective than repeated paracentesis plus albumin in the control of refractory ascites. However, its effect on survival and healthcare costs is still uncertain.

Methods: Seventy patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites were randomly assigned to TIPS (35 patients) or repeated paracentesis plus intravenous albumin (35 patients).

Terlipressin therapy with and without albumin for patients with hepatorenal syndrome: results of a prospective, nonrandomized study.

Vasopressin analogues associated with albumin improve renal function in hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). The current study was aimed at assessing the efficacy of the treatment, predictive factors of response, recurrence of HRS, and survival after therapy. Twenty-one consecutive patients with HRS (16 with type 1 HRS, 5 with type 2 HRS) received terlipressin (0.

Increased plasma levels of neuropeptide Y in hepatorenal syndrome.

Background/aims: To investigate the relationship between neuropeptide Y (NPY), a potent renal vasoconstrictor peptide released upon marked stimulations of sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and renal and circulatory function in cirrhosis.

Methods: Plasma levels of NPY (radioimmunoassay) and norepinephrine and renal function parameters were determined in 17 healthy controls, nine patients with cirrhosis without ascites, and 37 patients with cirrhosis and ascites, of whom 12 had hepatorenal syndrome (HRS).

Results: Patients with ascites showed circulating levels of NPY similar to those of patients without ascites and controls (73+/-4, +/-4 and 68+/-4 pmol/l, respectively; NS).