Action of somatostatin analogue (octreotide) on experimental hepatic encephalopathy in rats

Background/Aims: We investigated the effect of a somatostatin analogue (oct reotide) on hepatic I encephalopathy in a rat model. Fulminant hepatic fail ure was induced by thioacetamide twice daily for 3 consecutive days. Methodology: Animals with hepatic encephalopathy grade III were divided int o 2 groups. The groups received saline (control) or octreotide. In both gro ups the distance traveled in the open field activity, neurological score an d mortality time were evaluated before and after the treatment. Results: In the control group the motor activity was 13.7+/-6.4 and 12.9+/- 5.5cm/10min, the neuro logical score was 8.4+/-0.9 and 8.5+/-1.3 before and after the treatment, respectively. In the octreotide group the motor activ ity was 11.4+/-5.0 and 10.4+/-3.5cm/10min, the neurological score was 8.8+/ -1.5 and 8.6+/-0.9 before and after the treatment, respectively. Mortality times in the saline and octreotide group were 76.1+/-28.1 and 89.7+/-46.5mi n, respectively. All parameters of this study were statistically not signif icant. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that somatostatin analogue, octreotide does not effect hepatic encephalopathy in an experimental rat model.