title: Branched-chain amino acid-enriched elemental diet in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. A double blind crossover trial.
abstract: In 14 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and portal-systemic shunts the effect of a branched-chain amino acid-enriched elemental diet on portal systemic encephalopathy, routine laboratory parameters and plasma amino acids was investigated. In addition to the standard therapy including protein restriction (40 g/day) the patients received 44 g of an amino acid-protein mixture containing 30% of branched-chain amino acids and placebo over 3 months in a crossover regimen. Plasma valine and leucine increased significantly, whereas all other amino acids, including the ratio (formula: see text), remained unchanged. The electroencephalogram, number connection test, clinical state and laboratory parameters were not influenced by therapy with branched-chain amino acids. Thus, orally administered branched-chain amino acids probably have no influence on hepatic encephalopathy but are an adequate source of nitrogen in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011167:Portacaval Shunt, Surgical
chemical_list: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain