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Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation May Help Prevent Infection in Cirrhotic Patients: Presented at AASLD

By Maria Bishop

BOSTON, MA -- November 5, 2004 -- Oral supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) may reduce the risk of lethal bacterial infections in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, according to a small-cohort study reported here on November 1^st at the 55^th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Liver Diseases.

Previous research found that phagocytic function of neutrophils is impaired in cirrhotic patients. In this study, a team of researchers from Japan found that BCAA supplementation improved phagocytic function of neutrophils, preventing bacteremia and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis from developing in patients with cirrhosis -- especially those with decompensated cirrhosis.

In the study, five women with decompensated cirrhosis were treated with 12 g daily of BCAA for 3 months. The women had a median age of 60 years.

Lead researcher Ikuo Nakamura, MD, PhD, Attending Associate, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Omiya Medical Center, Jichi Medical School, Saitama, evaluated phagocytic function and bactericidal activity of neutrophils in peripheral blood as well as Fisher's ratios at baseline and at 1 and 3 months of BCAA supplementation.

Neutrophil phagocytic function improved in 3 of 5 patients at 1 month, and in all patients at 3 months. The changes from baseline were significant at 3 months (P <.05). Fisher's ratios were also significantly increased at 3 months compared with baseline (P <.01).

Although the changes were not statistically different, bactericidal activity was improved in 3 of 5 patients at 3 months. Similarly, serum albumin levels were non-significantly increased at 1 and 3 months in 3 of 5 patients.

The mechanisms of improvement in phagocytic activity in neutrophils as a result of BCAA have yet to be elucidated, Dr. Nakamura noted, adding that further studies should help increase the knowledge base on this subject.


[Presentation title: "Restoration of Phagocytic Function of Neutrophils of Patients With Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis by Oral Supplementation of Branched-Chain Amino Acids." Abstract 808]

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