Short-term effects of branched-chain amino acids on liver function tests in cirrhotic patients.
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Date
2000-03-07
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Abstract
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 I) 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.
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The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health.
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Tangkijvanich P, Mahachai V, Wittayalertpanya S, Ariyawongsopon V, Isarasena S. Short-term effects of branched-chain amino acids on liver function tests in cirrhotic patients. The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 2000 Mar; 31(1): 152-7