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The effect of supplementation with branched‐chain amino acids in patients with liver cirrhosis
Author(s) -
Urata Yohei,
Okita Kosuke,
Korenaga Keiko,
Uchida Koichi,
Yamasaki Takahiro,
Sakaida Isao
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
hepatology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.123
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1872-034X
pISSN - 1386-6346
DOI - 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2007.00081.x
Subject(s) - cirrhosis , medicine , branched chain amino acid , gastroenterology , aromatic amino acids , respiratory quotient , endocrinology , amino acid , metabolism , biochemistry , biology , leucine
Aim: We investigated the effect of supplementation with branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA) in patients with liver cirrhosis on the change of energy metabolism as well as glucose tolerance. Methods: Thirty liver cirrhosis patients underwent nutrient supervision by a dietician for one week. They were then prescribed oral supplementation with three packs of a BCAA nutrient (Livact 4.15 g/pack; Ajinomoto Pharma, Tokyo, Japan), taken three times a day: after breakfast, dinner and before sleep. The change in energy metabolism and glucose tolerance was examined using an indirect calorimeter and 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (75 g OGTT). Results: Non‐protein respiratory quotient (npRQ) as well as branched‐chain amino acid/tyrosine ratio (BTR) showed significant improvement, especially in patients with a creatinine height index (CHI) greater than 80. There was also a significant correlation between npRQ after one week of BCAA supplementation and the CHI. The patients with CHI greater than 80 and those with borderline pattern assessed by 75 g OGTT showed significant improvement in impaired glucose tolerance. Conclusion: Liver cirrhosis patients with CHI greater than 80 are the first candidates for BCAA supplementation. These patients showed improvement not only in energy metabolism and BTR, but also glucose tolerance.