The usage of L-ornithine - L-arginine complex as a new effective step in treatment of acute toxic hepatitis

Abstract

Liver damage and toxic hepatitis occur mainly due to excessive alcohol consumption, viral infections, chemicals, and as a consequence of drug adverse effects. The symptoms of toxic hepatitis often go away when exposure to the toxin stops. But toxic hepatitis can permanently damage the liver, leading to irreversible scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis) and in some cases to liver failure.Thus, there is an ongoing need for finding new substances that can effectively prevent and cure hepatic damage, minimizing adverse effects. Carbon-tetrachloride is extensively being used as a model substance for producing hepatotoxic effects such as fatty degeneration of liver tissue, fibrosis, hepatocellular death, and carcinogenicity. L-arginine is classified as a nonessential amino acid, but may be considered essential or semiessential in stressful situations, including periods of growth (e.g., during childhood or pregnancy) or trauma (e.g., liver disease, severe sepsis, wound healing, cancer). In jaundiced rats, L-arginine supplementation demonstrated anabolic and immunostimulatory properties. Anabolic actions were also confirmed in studies of L-arginine supplementation and improved wound healing, as well as healing of bones, burns, GI tract, and tendons. Researchers have confirmed one of the mechanisms of the arginase enzyme action, which produces a favorable environment for fibroblast and collagen production. L-arginine has exhibited protective effects in spinal cord injury in animals and in cortical impact injury in rats. In another study, exogenous L-arginine resulted in decreased hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. L-ornithine metabolizes to form L-arginine and assists in the production of urea. This increases the body's ability to eliminate waste-products. L-ornithine and L-arginine work together synergistically to increase protein synthesis and, ultimately, muscle growth. This aminoacid is necessary for metabolic functions and detoxification purposes. It also contributes to release of HGH by the pituitary gland. Lornithine is also used to assist in liver and gallbladder cleansing because it helps to produce urea that is used to flush toxic substances out of the liver. Because of the detoxification properties of the aminoacid it is thought to decrease the incidence of gallstones and liver toxins. The usage of L-ornithine - L-arginine complex for toxic hepatitis treatment is considered to be a new and effective step in the development of modern hepathology.