The Rise of Glutaminase in End-Stage Liver Diseases

Metformin modifies glutamine metabolism in an in vitro and in vivo model of hepatic encephalopathy

“…Clinical studies strongly suggest a major role of ammonia in the development of brain disturbances in liver disease and systemic hyperammonemia is commonly found in patients with cirrhosis and HE (3). The pathophysiological mechanisms include alteration of blood-brain-barrier permeability, cytokine production, changes in neurotransmitter synthesis and release, neuronal oxidative stress, impaired mitochondrial function and osmotic disturbances resulting from astrocytic metabolism (4).…”