pectins and Liver-Cirrhosis--Biliary

Initially liver morphology of chronic destructive non-suppurative cholangitis (CDNC) is rather atypical. Therefore, early morphological diagnosis is difficult. First symptoms are severe pruritus and an increase of IgM, AP and gamma-GT. Own investigation of 101 CDNC patients showed that antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) are generally later present than the increase of the a/m enzymes. Also remarkable is the fact that among 101 patients are 13 men generally observed during the last 3 years. The most difficult problem is the treatment of CDNC. Here we have to differentiate between symptomatic basic treatment and so-called specific treatment. As basic treatment, ammonia-reducing amino acids, phenobarbital and finally cholestyramine are administered in order to diminish the severe pruritus. The diet must be rich on pectine. Lactulose and bifidum milk improve the diminished detoxication function of the liver. As specific treatment prednisolone and/or azathioprin have disappointed. D-penicillamine can influence CDNC at least temporarily. Because of the frequent side-effects D-penicillamine should be administered only in low doses (100-200 mg daily together with 300 mg vitaminee B6). Until not it is uncertain if the extremely bad prognosis of CDNC can be improved by medical treatment of its early stages.

Topics: Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase; Antibodies, Antinuclear; Autoantibodies; Cholestyramine Resin; Female; gamma-Glutamyltransferase; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Lactulose; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary; Male; Middle Aged; Mitochondria, Liver; Muscle, Smooth; Pectins; Penicillamine; Phenobarbital