Ornithine aspartate attenuates thioacetamide induced hepatic encephalopathy through GABA-benzodiazepine receptors

Abstract

The aim for this study was to investigate the effect of L-ornithine-L-aspartate (OA) in combination with benzodiazepine agonist (diazepam) and antagonist (flumazenil) in thioacetamide (TAA) induced hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in mice. HE was induced in mice by administration of TAA (25mg/kg, i.p.) thrice at 24 hours interval. OA (2gm/kg, p.o.), diazepam (4mg/kg, i.p.) and flumazenil (5mg/kg, i.p.) were administered in different combinations along with TAA and the mice were observed for motor activity, grip strength, traction test and mortality. TAA administration produced stage II III of HE in mice with highly significant reduction in motor activity. OA protected the animals significantly in TAA and TAA plus diazepam treated groups as was done by flumazenil. Taken together, the findings of the present study suggest that OA actions in TAA induced HE in mice may be mediated through GABA-benzodiazepine receptors.