[Impaired metabolism of amino acid and protein in patients with liver cirrhosis].
Patients with liver cirrhosis are characterized by impaired metabolism of amino acids, such as, increased plasma aromatic amino acid (AAA), methionine levels, and decreased plasma branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels. These abnormalities are also regarded to induce hepatic encephalopathy, ascitic retention and muscular waste. The etiology of such abnormal amino acid metabolism is multifactorial, i.e. inadequate nutritional intake or protein-restricted diet, disturbed intestinal absorption, hormonal abnormalities and hyperammonemia. In terms of therapy, decreased plasma BCAA level is particularly important, since it is mostly relating to the protein-energy malnutrition. BCAA supplementation seems to be useful to improve plasma amino acid imbalance, protein-energy malnutrition, and subsequently, survival rate of cirrhotic patients.
Kato
M
M
First Department of Internal Medicine, Gifu University School of Medicine.
Moriwaki
H
H
Muto
Y
Y
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism
D000596:Amino Acids; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D011506:Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin