Oral l-ornithine-l-aspartate in minimal hepatic encephalopathy: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Aim: Evaluate efficacy/safety of oral l-ornithine-l-aspartate (LOLA) in controlling minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE).

Methods: Consecutive cirrhotic outpatients with MHE (defined by psychometric number connection tests A/B [NCT-A/B] and digit symbol substitution test [DSST] score of >2 standard deviations) were randomized to a 60-day oral LOLA (5 g t.i.