Brain GABA and benzodiazepine receptors in hepatic encephalopathy.

Mammalian brain contains two types of benzodiazepine receptors namely the "central-type" receptor which forme part of the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complex, and the so-called "peripheral-type" receptor found predominantly on mitocondrial membranes of astrocytes. Brain GABA-related benzodiazepine receptors are unchanged in hepatic encephalopathy. On the other hand, human and experimental hepatic encephalopathy are associated with increased densities of "peripheral type" benzodiazepine receptor. Results of several studies using agonists and antagonists of both types of benzodiazepine receptors are discussed in this review.