Abstract
Sodium benzoate has been used for the treatment of congenital hyperammonemic syndromes and hepatic encephalopathy for its ammonia lowering effect. A zinc-derivative of sodium benzoate (CH-1) with similar effects, is presented herein. We administered CH-1 at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight during 7 days to male Wistar rats after a portocaval shunt operation was performed as a model for experimental hyperammonemia. There was a decrease in blood ammonia levels in all groups receiving CH-1. A linear relationship (r=-0.487, P < 0.01) was observed between the dose of CH-1 and blood ammonia levels. The effective dose 50 (ED50) was 320 mg/kg body weight (95% C.I. 176-581 mg) with a slope of 1.538 (Litchfield and Wilcoxon method). These results suggest that benzoic acid salts such as CH-1 may prove a new alternative for the treatment of hyperammonemia. Potential advantages of non-sodium salts of benzoic acid are discussed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 104-109 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Hepatology Research |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1999 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Hyperammonemia
- Pharmacology
- Sodium benzoate
- Treatment
- Zinc
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gastroenterology