[Effect of furosemide on the renal prostaglandin system in liver cirrhosis with ascites]

Abstract

Daily urine levels of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha as well as water-electrolyte exchange were measured in 72 patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and hepatic cirrhosis (HC) in comparison with healthy controls. Furosemide treatment was performed in 26 HC patients. It was established that in CAH and compensated HC daily excretion of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha as well as 22Na elimination were within the range registered in the control. In association of HC with nonrefractory ascites the above excretion was elevated, with refractory one daily excretion of PGE2 was low, the urine ratio PGF2 alpha/PGE2 rose. Daily urine excretion of prostaglandins and PGF2 alpha/PGE2 value may be of prognostic significance in evaluating efficacy of diuretic therapy in HC patients with ascites.