Therapeutic effects of stronger neo-minophagen C at different doses on chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis

Stronger neo-minophagen C (SNMC), a glycyrrhizin (GL) preparation, has been extensively used with considerable success in Japan for the treatment of c hronic hepatitis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the efficac y of administering massive doses of 100 ml/day to patients in whom standard administration (40 ml/day) for 2 weeks did not show sufficient improvement . A comparative study was conducted by dividing at random 100 cases (56.2%) , out of a total of 178 enrolled, into two groups, one for the administrati on of 100 ml/day for 3 weeks (group A) and the other for administration of 40 ml/day for 3 weeks (group B) Cases were rated 'markedly improved' or 'im proved' according to their ALT levels (defined respectively as < 1.2 limes and 1.2-1.5 times the normal upper level 3 weeks after treatment). Except t hose who dropped out or were otherwise not eligible for analysis, 44 and 46 cases were analyzed. In group Al 23 of 44 cases (52.3%) were rated 'improv ed' ol better whereas only 12 of 46 (26.1%) in group B were 'improved' or b etter. Group A showed significant improvement compared to group B (P = 0.01 7), thus documenting the greater efficacy of administering SNMC at 100 ml/d ay compared to only 40 ml/day. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All r ights reserved.