Effects of branched-chain amino acid-enriched nutrient for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma following radiofrequency ablation: a one-year prospective trial.
OBJECTIVE
This prospective control study examined whether supplementation with branched-chain amino acid (BCAA)-enriched nutrients can help maintain and improve residual liver function and nutritional status in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA).


METHODS
Subjects were 49 patients with hepatitis C-related HCC who underwent RFA. Two groups were formed: BCAA group (BCAA-enriched nutrient, aminoleban EN) and controls (standard diet only). Event-free survival rate, liver function tests, and Short Form (SF)-8 scores were evaluated in both groups before and one year after RFA. Energy metabolism using indirect calorimetry was measured before and after 3 months.


RESULTS
Complete data were obtained from 35 patients (BCAA group, n = 20; controls, n = 15). Six events (death, recurrence of HCC, rupture of esophageal varices and liver failure) occurred during the observation period, but frequencies of these events did not differ between groups. Event-free survival rate tended to be higher in the BCA group than in controls. Among the parameters of liver function, serum albumin level was only significantly increased over 6 months, and remained at similar values for one year (P < 0.05). SF-8 scores for general health, physical functioning, and social functioning were significantly elevated in the BCAA group (P < 0.05). Non-protein respiratory quotient was significantly improved in the BCAA group (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with BCAA-enriched nutrients for one year in cirrhotic patients with HCC after RFA therapy can perform safety and improve both nutritional state and quality of life.
Kuroda
Hidekatsu
H
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Iwate, Japan. hikuro@iwate-med.ac.jp
Ushio
Akira
A
Miyamoto
Yasuhiro
Y
Sawara
Kei
K
Oikawa
Kanta
K
Kasai
Kazuhiro
K
Endo
Ryujin
R
Takikawa
Yasuhiro
Y
Kato
Akinobu
A
Suzuki
Kazuyuki
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018529:Nutritional Support; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain