The change of serum metabolites in patients with hepatic encephalopathy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the metabolites of serum samples from liver cirrhotic patients with or without minimal hepatic encephalopathy, and even overt hepatic encephalopathy, then to find out diagnostic markers for minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Methods High performance liquid chromatography-orbit trap mass spectrometry (UPLC/LTQ-Orbit trap MS) technology was applied to analyze the serum metabolites from 38 patients of liver cirrhosiswith hepatitis B and 33 healthy volunteers. Results The serum metabolites of patients with simple liver cirrhosis were different from those of patients with minimal or overt hepatic encephalopathy. The serum metabolites of patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy was mostly similar with those of overt hepatic encephalopathy patients. Arginase, L-tyrosine, glutamic acid, two L-phenylalanine peptide, homovanillic acid, ornithine, L-serine were increased in patients with minimal or overt hepatic encephalopathy, and hypoxanthine decreased in patients with minimal or overt hepatic encephalopathy patients. Conclusions The serum metabolites of patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy are mostly similar to those of patients with overt hepatic encephalopathy. Arginase, L-tyrosine, glutamic acid, two L-phenylalanine peptide, homovanillic acid, ornithine, L-serine maybe the early metabolites biomarkers to diagnose minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Hypoxanthine is likely to be an effective complement to treat patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Key words: Liver cirrhosis; Hepatic encephalopathy; Minimal hepatic encephalopathy; Metabonomics