Minimal hepatic encephalopathy: simplifying its diagnosis.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is relatively common and has a significant effect on the quality of life in patients with cirrhosis. However, diagnosing this entity clinically can be quite challenging. Inhibitory control testing (ICT) as a screening tool for diagnosis of MHE has been used clinically for sometime.

Altered expression of genes regulating skeletal muscle mass in the portacaval anastomosis rat.

We examined the temporal relationship between portacaval anastomosis (PCA), weight gain, changes in skeletal muscle mass and molecular markers of protein synthesis, protein breakdown, and satellite cell proliferation and differentiation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with end to side PCA (n=24) were compared with sham-operated pair-fed rats (n=24). Whole body weight, lean body mass, and forelimb grip strength were determined at weekly intervals.