Sudeep Khanna1, Sarath Gopalan. 1. Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute for Liver, Renal and Digestive Diseases, Press Enclave Road, New Delhi 110017, India. khannasudeep@hotmail.com
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is ample evidence that patients with liver disease have an ongoing energy and protein catabolism. Nutritional management in these patients must receive high priority. The administration of branched-chain amino acids to patients with liver disease has been a controversial subject. This review is an update on the data available from various studies involving branched-chain amino acids supplementation in patients with chronic liver disease and associated complications. RECENT FINDINGS: This review summarizes the results of nutritional interventions involving branched-chain amino acids supplementation carried out in different centres around the world. It is interesting to note that no toxic effects of branched-chain amino acids supplementation have been reported in any of these trials. SUMMARY: Administration of branched-chain amino acids stimulates hepatic protein synthesis in patients with chronic liver disease and this could contribute significantly to improving their nutritional status, and result in a better quality of life. The beneficial role of branched-chain amino acids supplementation in patients with chronic hepatic encephalopathy has been clearly documented in some studies but the exact mechanism of action is still not clear.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is ample evidence that patients with liver disease have an ongoing energy and protein catabolism. Nutritional management in these patients must receive high priority. The administration of branched-chain amino acids to patients with liver disease has been a controversial subject. This review is an update on the data available from various studies involving branched-chain amino acids supplementation in patients with chronic liver disease and associated complications. RECENT FINDINGS: This review summarizes the results of nutritional interventions involving branched-chain amino acids supplementation carried out in different centres around the world. It is interesting to note that no toxic effects of branched-chain amino acids supplementation have been reported in any of these trials. SUMMARY: Administration of branched-chain amino acids stimulates hepatic protein synthesis in patients with chronic liver disease and this could contribute significantly to improving their nutritional status, and result in a better quality of life. The beneficial role of branched-chain amino acids supplementation in patients with chronic hepatic encephalopathy has been clearly documented in some studies but the exact mechanism of action is still not clear.
Authors: Marco Silva; Sara Gomes; Armando Peixoto; Paulo Torres-Ramalho; Hélder Cardoso; Rosa Azevedo; Carla Cunha; Guilherme Macedo Journal: GE Port J Gastroenterol Date: 2015-08-31