Effect of branched-chain amino acid supplements on muscle strength and muscle mass in patients with liver cirrhosis

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the effect of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements on muscle strength and muscle mass in patients with liver cirrhosis. Patients and methods We carried out a single-center, prospective study of adult cirrhotic patients receiving nutrition therapy at Shonan Kamakura General Hospital. A 28-day pretreatment observation period was followed by a 24-week treatment period. Patients who fulfilled the treatment criteria received one package of oral BCAA supplement powder twice a day and the response was evaluated. A responder to BCAA in muscle strength and muscle mass was defined as a patient with an increased skeletal muscle mass index and hand grip assessed 24 weeks after drug treatment commenced. Results Eighty-two patients fulfilled our criteria and completed the treatment. In terms of muscle strength, there were 59 (72.0%) responders to BCAA supplementation with a significant increase in hand grip from before treatment (22.2 +/- 6.3 kg) to after treatment (23.9 +/- 6.4 kg) (P < 0.001). In terms of muscle mass, 36 (43.9%) patients responded to BCAA with a slight decrease in skeletal muscle mass index from before treatment (7.40 +/- 1.62) to after treatment (7.30 +/- 1.49) (P = 0.333). Conclusion BCAA supplementation improved low muscle strength in patients with chronic liver disease, but did not increase muscle mass during the treatment period. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.