IMPACT OF L-ORNITHINE L-ASPARTATE ON THE MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL STATE OF THE LIVER AND THE RATE OF METABOLIC PROCESSES IN HEPATITIS

Abstract

Introduction. The liver is one of the most important organs in the human’s body as it performs numerous vital functions, in particular, it participates in detoxification, basic metabolism, synthesis and metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and other substances. The liver is constantly exposed to the impact of toxic substances, which can lead to its severe injury as well as to the diseases of other body systems. Acute and chronic liver diseases are major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.The medication L-ornithine L-aspartate has shown promising results in terms of survival and improvement in clinical outcomes in liver failure in randomized clinical trials. Thanks to the combination of two amino acids (L-ornithine and L-aspartic acid) which take part in the synthesis of urea, L-ornithine L-aspartate exerts a great pharmacotherapeutic potential in the treatment of other liver pathologies, including acute toxic injury to the organ, and can significantly improve the survival and general state of patients.

The aim of the study – to investigate the effect of L-ornithine L-aspartate on the functional state of the liver and on the rate of metabolic processes in the affected organ in acute toxic liver injury.

Research methods. The experimental work was performed on white adult non-linear male rats weighing 170–180 g. Acute toxic hepatitis was induced by the single intraperitoneal administration of tetrachloromethane at the dose of 2 g/kg of body weight in the form of a 50 % oil solution in olive oil. A control group of animals received an equal volume of olive oil. A control group of animals received an identical volume of olive oil. 0.5 % solution of L-ornithine L-aspartate in the form of the medicinal product “HEPA-MERTS” (Mertz Pharma GmbH & Co.) in 10 ml ampoules was administered intraperitoneally daily at a dose of 200 mg/kg of animal weight. The study was performed on days 3 and 7, which corresponds to the periods of development of necrosis foci following by the increased fat deposition and the onset of regenerative processes.

Results and Discussion. The results of the experimental studies showed that L-ornithine L-aspartate provided a multi-vector effect on the morpho-functional state of the liver and caused a pronounced hepatoprotective effect in acute toxic hepatitis. The drug restored the structure and functions of liver cells, promoted the regenerationof hepatocytes, reduced the manifestations of cytolysis and cholestasis, improved metabolic processes, increased the protein-synthesizing function, and reduced the manifestations of endotoxicosis.

Conclusions. In acute toxic hepatitis, therapy using L-ornithine L-aspartate contributes to the effective restoration of the morphofunctional state of the liver, preventing the occurrence of such pathologies as cytolysis syndrome and intrahepatic cholestasis.