title: BCAA-enriched snack improves nutritional state of cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A late evening snack improves the catabolic state in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis. We tested whether long-term (3 mo) late evening snacking that included a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA)-enriched nutrient mixture produces a better nutritional state and better quality of life than ordinary food in patients with hepatitis C virus-positive liver cirrhosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a multicenter, randomized study, 48 patients with liver cirrhosis received late-evening supplementation with the BCAA-enriched nutrient mixture or ordinary food, such as a rice ball or bread, for 3 mo. During the study period, each patient was instructed on energy and protein intake. Blood biochemical data, nitrogen balance, respiratory quotient, and health-related quality of life (Short Form 36 questionnaire) were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total and late-evening energy intakes were similar in the two groups at 3 mo. Serum albumin level, nitrogen balance, and respiratory quotient were significantly improved by the BCAA mixture but not by ordinary food. The parameters of the Short Form 36 did not statistically significantly improve over 3 mo in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term oral supplementation with a BCAA mixture is better than ordinary food in a late evening snack at improving the serum albumin level and the energy metabolism in patients with cirrhosis.
authors.affiliation: University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan. nakaya@nutr.med.tokushima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakaya
authors.forename: Kiwamu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okita
authors.forename: Kazuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Hisataka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moriwaki
authors.forename: Akinobu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miwa
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shiraishi
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okuda
authors.forename: Morikazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onji
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanazawa
authors.forename: Hirohito
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsubouchi
authors.forename: Shinzo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaito
authors.forename: Akiharu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Daiki
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Habu
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Tomohisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Naohiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arakawa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011788:Quality of Life; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin