Short-term effects of branched-chain amino acids on liver function tests in cirrhotic patients
Tangkijvanich, P.; Mahachai, V.; Wittayalertpanya, S.; Ariyawongsopon, V.; Isarasena, S.
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 31(1): 152-157
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-1562 PMID: 11023085 Document Number: 519646
A randomized study was conducted in 29 ambulatory cirrhotic patients to determine the short-term effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on nutritional status, biochemical liver function tests and caffeine clearance. Each patient received a 4-week period of isonitrogenous and isocaloric regimens, either a standardized diet contained 40 g protein with supplementation of BCAA 150 g daily (group 1) or only a standardized diet contained 80 g protein daily (group II). At the end of treatment, only group I showed significant improvements in transaminase levels as well as the caffeine clearance test compared with those of the pre-treatment levels. Nonetheless, significant improvements in nutritional parameters and additional liver function tests were not yet detected. We conclude that the short-term nutritional supplementation of BCAA is well tolerated and leads to improvement in hepatic metabolic capacity assessed by the caffeine clearance test.