Coenzyme Q10 and Meclofenoxate in Hepatic Encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy is a syndrome occurs in patients with liver cirrhosis and is defined as neuropsychiatric abnormalities in patients with liver impairment, characterized by personality changes, intellectual impairment, and an impaired level of consciousness. Hepatic encephalopathy is categorized into Type A hepatic encephalopathy associated with acute liver failure; Type B hepatic encephalopathy is associated with portal-systemic bypass and no intrinsic hepatocellular disease; Type C hepatic encephalopathy describes encephalopathy associated with Cirrhosis and portal hypertension; type C hepatic encephalopathy is, in turn, subcategorized as episodic, persistent, or minimal.

A number of theories had been postulated, it was proposed that hepatic encephalopathy is a disorder of astrocyte function which play a key role in the regulation of the blood-brain barrier, maintaining electrolyte homeostasis , a role in the detoxification of chemicals, including ammonia.

neurotoxic substances, including ammonia and manganese cause morphologic changes in the astrocytes leading to Alzheimer type II astrocytosis in cirrhosis.

Hepatic encephalopathy may be due to accumulated neurotoxic substances in the brain as short-chain fatty acids; mercaptans; false neurotransmitters, such as tyramine, octopamine, and beta-phenylethanolamines; manganese; ammonia; and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a necessary cofactor of the mitochondrial metabolism. It provides a High antioxidant and protective effects on age-related morbidities such as hypertension, heart failure and neurodegenerative diseases and hepatoprotective effects in drug related hepatic impairment.

Meclofenoxate is a cholinergic nootropic drug used clinically to improve memory, mental function and general cognition.