Adding Branched-Chain Amino Acids to an Enhanced Standard-of-Care Treatment Improves Muscle Mass of Cirrhotic Patients With Sarcopenia: A Placebo-Controlled Trial. (26th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hernández-Conde, Marta; Llop, Elba; Gómez-Pimpollo, Lucía; Fernández Carrillo, Carlos; Rodríguez, Luís; Van Den Brule, Enrique; Perelló, Christie; López-Gómez, Marta; Abad, Javier; Martínez-Porras, José Luís; Fernández-Puga, Natalia; Ferre, Carlos; Trapero, María; Fraga, Enrique; Calleja, José Luis
• Is Part Of: American journal of gastroenterology. Volume 116:Number 11(2021)
• Page Start: 2241
• Page End: 2249
• Publication Date: 2021-11-26
• Subjects: Stomach -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Intestines -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001301
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-9270

Abstract

Abstract : INTRODUCTION: The effect of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation on muscle mass in patients with cirrhosis and sarcopenia is unknown. METHODS: This is a pilot, prospective, randomized, and double-blind study of a cohort of 32 patients with cirrhosis and sarcopenia diagnosed by computed tomography scan who underwent a nutritional and physical activity intervention for 12 weeks. They were divided into 2 groups (placebo: 17 patients; BCAA: 15 patients). The study protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04073693). RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. After treatment, only the BCAA group presented a significant improvement in muscle mass (43.7 vs 46 cm 2 /m 2 ; P = 0.023). Seventeen patients (63%) presented improvement in muscle mass overall, which was more frequent in the BCAA group (83.3 vs 46.7%; P = 0.056). Regarding frailty, there was a significant improvement in the Liver Frailty Index in the global cohort (n = 32) after the 12 weeks (4.2 vs 3.9; P < 0.001). This difference was significant in both groups: in the placebo group (4.2 vs 3.8; P < 0.001) and in the BCAA group (4.2 vs 3.9; P < 0.001). After treatment, the BCAA group had a higher increase in zinc levels than the placebo group (Δzinc: 12.3 vs 5.5; P = 0.026). In addition, there was a trend for greater improvement of albumin levels in the BCAA group (Δalbumin: 0.19 vs 0.04; P = 0.091). DISCUSSION: BCAA supplementation improves muscle mass in cirrhotic patients with sarcopenia.