[Sodium in clinics and complications of liver cirrhosis].

The changes in sodium homeostasis most frequently are expression of water-electrolyte balance disturbances in patients with liver cirrhosis. Hyponatremia of water excess is found in 35% of the patients with cirrhosis and ascites. This disturbance is most frequently connected with raised antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) secretion and is realized by including of nonosmotic stimulating mechanisms. The vasopressin plays a leading role in pathogenesis of disturbed water metabolism in the liver cirrhosis. Some patients with hepatorenal syndrome are established with highest plasma vasopressin concentrations. Gene expression of the regulation of kidney vasopressin-sensitive water channels (aquaporin-2 proteins) is also raised in the liver cirrhosis. Using in practice vasopressin-type 2 (V-2) receptor antagonists gives hopeful results in medical treatment of water-electrolyte disturbances in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.