title: Two randomized controlled studies comparing the nutritional benefits of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) granules and a BCAA-enriched nutrient mixture for patients with esophageal varices after endoscopic treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The usefulness of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) granules and BCAA-enriched nutrient mixtures for patients with liver cirrhosis is often reported. However, no randomized controlled studies have investigated the usefulness of these supplements in the nutritional intervention of cirrhotic patients receiving endoscopic treatment for esophageal varices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients without BCAA before endoscopic treatment were divided into study 1, and those who received BCAA were divided into study 2. In study 1, 44 eligible patients were divided into a control group (n = 13), a general liquid nutrient (snack) group (n = 15), and a BCAA-enriched nutrient mixture (BCAA-EN) group (n = 16). In study 2, 48 eligible patients were divided into a BCAA group (n = 24) and a BCAA-EN group (n = 24). The nutritional status including non-protein respiratory quotient (NPRQ) levels, weight gain, and albumin were evaluated on days 0, 7, and 50.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In study 1, the BCAA-EN group showed significant improvement in NPRQ levels on day 7 as compared with the snack group. In study 2, the BCAA-EN group showed significant improvement in NPRQ levels on day 7 and in weight levels on day 50 relative to the BCAA group, while the BCAA group showed improved serum albumin levels on day 7 compared to the BCAA-EN group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BCAA-enriched nutrient mixture maintained NPRQ and weight in cirrhotic patients. Our findings suggest that supplements including both BCAA and a nutritional energy supplement would be beneficial for cirrhotic patients undergoing endoscopic treatment for esophageal varices.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.forename: Hirayuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Enomoto
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Kazunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoh
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takashima
authors.forename: Nobuhiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aizawa
authors.forename: Naoto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Hironori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iijima
authors.forename: Shuhei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishiguchi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D001786:Blood Glucose; D011506:Proteins