Significance of the molar ratio of branched-chain amino acids to tyrosine before hepatectomy
Kohashi, T.; Itamoto, T.; Katayama, K.; Katayama, S.; Hino, H.; Nakahara, H.; Tashiro, H.; Asahara, T.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 49(45): 774-777
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 12063988 Document Number: 543037
Background/Aims: To predict the degree of liver fibrosis and select a safe operative procedure, the correlation between liver fibrotic ratio and preoperative liver function variables were analyzed, and the significance of the molar ratio of branched-chain amino acids to tyrosine determined preoperatively was investigated. Methodology: Forty-four patients with hepatectomy were enrolled in this study. Liver tissue specimens excised from the patients were stained by Azan-Mallory's method. The liver fibrotic ratio was measured using an Image Cytometer. The correlation between liver fibrotic ratio and preoperative liver function values, including the serum level of branched-chain amino acids to tyrosine, were determined. Results: The degrees of liver fibrosis (normal group, 1.4+-0.7%, chronic hepatitis group, 4.5+-2.8%; cirrhosis group, 8.4+-2.4%) correlated significantly with preoperative liver function values such as branched-chain amino acids to tyrosine, hepaplastin test, type IV collagen 7s domain, total bilirubin, indocyanine green clearance retention rate at fifteen minutes, and platelet count. The serum level of branched-chain amino acids to tyrosine showed the most-significant correlation with the degree of liver fibrosis. Conclusions: The serum level of branched-chain amino acids to tyrosine correlates well with the degree of liver fibrosis, and this value is a useful preoperative parameter for predicting the degree of liver fibrosis and for selecting a safe operative procedure.