Role o f Nitric Oxide in Liver Cirrhosis

Introduction : Patients of liver cirrhosis suffer from deleterious effects of hyper dynamic circulation like ascites, edema etc. Increased Nitric Oxide levels may be one of the causes of them (potent vasodilator). So we have decided to study the role of Nitric Oxide in liver cirrhosis. Materials and Methods : The Nitric Oxide levels was found in the form of Total Nitrates in 40 normal controls and 40 known cases of liver cirrhosis by Cortas and Wakid method and compared it with liver functions like serum ALT activity (Kinetic Kit method), serum albumin level (Bromocresol Green method) and prothrombin time (Quick's method) in both groups. Observations and Results ; We found that the serum Nitric Oxide levels in the form of Total Nitrates were significantly high in liver cirrhosis patients (102 ± 20.3µmol/ L) as compared to normal controls (57 ± 19.9µmol/L), but having no co-relation with liver functions like serum albumin levels, serum total ALT levels and prothtrombin time. Conclusion ; This study provides the evidence that increased production of Nitric Oxide in liver cirrhosis may be responsible for the hemodynamic changes seen in patients of liver cirrhosis. So by using Nitric Oxide inhibitors patient's discomfort due to hyper dynamic circulation can be reduced.