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Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Sciences

Published in:

01-07-2012 | Original Article

Branched-chain amino acid-enriched nutrients improve nutritional and metabolic abnormalities in the early post-transplant period after living donor liver transplantation

Authors: Ryuichi Yoshida, Takahito Yagi, Hiroshi Sadamori, Hiroaki Matsuda, Susumu Shinoura, Yuzo Umeda, Daisuke Sato, Masashi Utsumi, Takeshi Nagasaka, Nami Okazaki, Ai Date, Ayako Noguchi, Akemi Tanaka, Yuko Hasegawa, Yachiyo Sakamoto, Toshiyoshi Fujiwara

Published in: Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Sciences | Issue 4/2012

Abstract

Background/purpose

Malnutrition and metabolic disorder of patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can affect post-transplant prognosis. The aim of this study was to establish whether perioperative usage of branched-chain amino-acid (BCAA)-enriched nutrients improve metabolic abnormalities of patients undergoing LDLT.

Methods

We designed a randomized pilot study (UMIN registration number; 000004323). Twenty-five consecutive adult elective LDLT recipients were enroled and divided into two groups: the BCAA group (BCAA-enriched nutrients, n = 12) and the control group (standard diet, n = 13). Metabolic and nutritional parameters, including BCAA-to-tyrosine ratio (BTR), retinol binding protein (RBP), and prealbumin were regularly measured from 1 week before to 4 weeks after LDLT. Non-protein respiratory quotient (npRQ) was measured before and 4 weeks after LDLT.

Results

BTR and RBP improved considerably in the BCAA group compared with the controls. npRQ significantly increased from 1 week before LDLT to 4 weeks after LDLT in the BCAA group (0.77 ± 0.05 to 0.84 ± 0.06, P = 0.002), but not in the control group (0.78 ± 0.04 to 0.81 ± 0.05).

Conclusions

Supplementation with BCAA-enriched nutrients might improve persistent nutritional and metabolic disorders associated with end-stage liver disease in the early post-transplant period, and consequently shorten the post-transplant catabolic phase after LDLT. A larger multicenter trial is needed to confirm these findings.

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Title: Branched-chain amino acid-enriched nutrients improve nutritional and metabolic abnormalities in the early post-transplant period after living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Ryuichi Yoshida
Takahito Yagi
Hiroshi Sadamori
Hiroaki Matsuda
Susumu Shinoura
Yuzo Umeda
Daisuke Sato
Masashi Utsumi
Takeshi Nagasaka
Nami Okazaki
Ai Date
Ayako Noguchi
Akemi Tanaka
Yuko Hasegawa
Yachiyo Sakamoto
Toshiyoshi Fujiwara
Publication date: 01-07-2012
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Sciences / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 1868-6974
Electronic ISSN: 1868-6982
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00534-011-0459-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Branched-chain amino acid-enriched nutrients improve nutritional and metabolic abnormalities in the early post-transplant period after living donor liver transplantation

Abstract

Background/purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background/purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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