Effect of prostaglandin E(1) on ammonia concentration in blood of patients with hepatic resection

Plasma concentrations of ammonia were examined following prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)) administration in 16 patients who received hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. PGE(1) at 0.01-0.04 mu g/kg/min was administered for approximately 24 hr during the perioperative periods, The ammonia concentration was reduced a day after the operation following intravenous administration of PGE(1) in cirrhotic patients compared to noncirrhotic patients with or without PGE(1) injection, Serum liver function scores, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and total bilirubin concentrations were decreased after PGE(1) administration. A similar ammonia response due to PGE(1) was obtained after operation in cirrhotic patients when PGE(1) 0.5 mu g/kg was administered intravenously for 30 min. These results suggest that PGE(1) administration is useful in reducing the enhanced ammonia concentration associated with hepatic resection, and it is particularly effective in the case of liver cirrhosis.