AASLD: Late-Evening Snacks Containing Branched-Chain Amino Acids Benefit Hepatitis-Caused Cirrhosis

[Guest guest]

DGDispatch

AASLD: Late-Evening Snacks Containing Branched-Chain Amino Acids Benefit

Hepatitis-Caused Cirrhosis

By Bishop

BOSTON, MA -- November 8, 2004 -- Long-term consumption of a late-evening

snack that is rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) may help improve

cirrhosis caused by hepatitis virus -- including reducing muscle cramps and

stopping progression of the cirrhosis.

These findings were presented on November 1st by Japanese researchers here

at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Liver Diseases.

Recent studies have shown that protein-energy malnutrition has a great

impact on both quality of life and survival in a cirrhotic patient.

Yoshitaka Fukuzawa, MD, PhD, professor, Division of Gastroenterology, School

of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagoya, led a prospective study on

the effects in outpatients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C. The

subjects were 70% male, and the average age was 60 years old.

Subjects with poor nutrition (90%) were identified and grouped using the

Maastricht Index, and were then prescribed a late-evening snack product with

6.1 g BCAAs and 13.7 g of protein (Aminoleban® EN (Otsuka Pharmaceutical

Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The product was given in divided doses, 1 hour

before bedtime for 3 months. The researchers conducted a statistical

comparison of classic dietetic, immunological and biochemical parameters, as

well as Short Form 36 quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) scales before

and after treatment.

Patients who took the late-evening snacks had a significant increase in each

parameter, which resulted in a significant decrease in Maastricht Index

score (P <.001) 3 months after treatment compared to the pre-treatment

baseline. In addition, arm circumference and arm-muscle circumference

increased significantly (P <.001) in these patients, while the triceps

skin-fold thickness decreased significantly (P <.001). For the

non-poor-nutrition group, changes in the various parameters were not

significant during the treatment period.

Virtually no adverse reactions were noted in the treated group. Muscle

cramps were reported by 20% of patients before treatment and by 10% at the

3-month mark. Three parameters improved significantly (P <.05) in the

quality-of-life assessment based on SF-36 -- role functioning (physical),

vitality, and mental health.

The researchers found the nutritional assessment based on the Maastricht

Index to be convenient and useful for screening patients with poor

nutrition, allowing them to conduct appropriate nutritional assessments at

an early stage of cirrhosis.

Aminoleban® EN is marketed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.

[study title: " Nutrition Assessment and Management in Outpatients With Liver

Cirrhosis Caused by HCV (LC-C) - Usefulness of a Branched Chain Amino Acid

(BCAA)-Rich Product As Late-Evening Snacks (LES). " Abstract 798]

[Guest guest]

DGDispatch

AASLD: Late-Evening Snacks Containing Branched-Chain Amino Acids Benefit

Hepatitis-Caused Cirrhosis

By Bishop

BOSTON, MA -- November 8, 2004 -- Long-term consumption of a late-evening

snack that is rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) may help improve

cirrhosis caused by hepatitis virus -- including reducing muscle cramps and

stopping progression of the cirrhosis.

These findings were presented on November 1st by Japanese researchers here

at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Liver Diseases.

Recent studies have shown that protein-energy malnutrition has a great

impact on both quality of life and survival in a cirrhotic patient.

Yoshitaka Fukuzawa, MD, PhD, professor, Division of Gastroenterology, School

of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagoya, led a prospective study on

the effects in outpatients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C. The

subjects were 70% male, and the average age was 60 years old.

Subjects with poor nutrition (90%) were identified and grouped using the

Maastricht Index, and were then prescribed a late-evening snack product with

6.1 g BCAAs and 13.7 g of protein (Aminoleban® EN (Otsuka Pharmaceutical

Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The product was given in divided doses, 1 hour

before bedtime for 3 months. The researchers conducted a statistical

comparison of classic dietetic, immunological and biochemical parameters, as

well as Short Form 36 quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) scales before

and after treatment.

Patients who took the late-evening snacks had a significant increase in each

parameter, which resulted in a significant decrease in Maastricht Index

score (P <.001) 3 months after treatment compared to the pre-treatment

baseline. In addition, arm circumference and arm-muscle circumference

increased significantly (P <.001) in these patients, while the triceps

skin-fold thickness decreased significantly (P <.001). For the

non-poor-nutrition group, changes in the various parameters were not

significant during the treatment period.

Virtually no adverse reactions were noted in the treated group. Muscle

cramps were reported by 20% of patients before treatment and by 10% at the

3-month mark. Three parameters improved significantly (P <.05) in the

quality-of-life assessment based on SF-36 -- role functioning (physical),

vitality, and mental health.

The researchers found the nutritional assessment based on the Maastricht

Index to be convenient and useful for screening patients with poor

nutrition, allowing them to conduct appropriate nutritional assessments at

an early stage of cirrhosis.

Aminoleban® EN is marketed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.

[study title: " Nutrition Assessment and Management in Outpatients With Liver

Cirrhosis Caused by HCV (LC-C) - Usefulness of a Branched Chain Amino Acid

(BCAA)-Rich Product As Late-Evening Snacks (LES). " Abstract 798]

[Guest guest]

DGDispatch

AASLD: Late-Evening Snacks Containing Branched-Chain Amino Acids Benefit

Hepatitis-Caused Cirrhosis

By Bishop

BOSTON, MA -- November 8, 2004 -- Long-term consumption of a late-evening

snack that is rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) may help improve

cirrhosis caused by hepatitis virus -- including reducing muscle cramps and

stopping progression of the cirrhosis.

These findings were presented on November 1st by Japanese researchers here

at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Liver Diseases.

Recent studies have shown that protein-energy malnutrition has a great

impact on both quality of life and survival in a cirrhotic patient.

Yoshitaka Fukuzawa, MD, PhD, professor, Division of Gastroenterology, School

of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagoya, led a prospective study on

the effects in outpatients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C. The

subjects were 70% male, and the average age was 60 years old.

Subjects with poor nutrition (90%) were identified and grouped using the

Maastricht Index, and were then prescribed a late-evening snack product with

6.1 g BCAAs and 13.7 g of protein (Aminoleban® EN (Otsuka Pharmaceutical

Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The product was given in divided doses, 1 hour

before bedtime for 3 months. The researchers conducted a statistical

comparison of classic dietetic, immunological and biochemical parameters, as

well as Short Form 36 quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) scales before

and after treatment.

Patients who took the late-evening snacks had a significant increase in each

parameter, which resulted in a significant decrease in Maastricht Index

score (P <.001) 3 months after treatment compared to the pre-treatment

baseline. In addition, arm circumference and arm-muscle circumference

increased significantly (P <.001) in these patients, while the triceps

skin-fold thickness decreased significantly (P <.001). For the

non-poor-nutrition group, changes in the various parameters were not

significant during the treatment period.

Virtually no adverse reactions were noted in the treated group. Muscle

cramps were reported by 20% of patients before treatment and by 10% at the

3-month mark. Three parameters improved significantly (P <.05) in the

quality-of-life assessment based on SF-36 -- role functioning (physical),

vitality, and mental health.

The researchers found the nutritional assessment based on the Maastricht

Index to be convenient and useful for screening patients with poor

nutrition, allowing them to conduct appropriate nutritional assessments at

an early stage of cirrhosis.

Aminoleban® EN is marketed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.

[study title: " Nutrition Assessment and Management in Outpatients With Liver

Cirrhosis Caused by HCV (LC-C) - Usefulness of a Branched Chain Amino Acid

(BCAA)-Rich Product As Late-Evening Snacks (LES). " Abstract 798]

[Guest guest]

DGDispatch

AASLD: Late-Evening Snacks Containing Branched-Chain Amino Acids Benefit

Hepatitis-Caused Cirrhosis

By Bishop

BOSTON, MA -- November 8, 2004 -- Long-term consumption of a late-evening

snack that is rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) may help improve

cirrhosis caused by hepatitis virus -- including reducing muscle cramps and

stopping progression of the cirrhosis.

These findings were presented on November 1st by Japanese researchers here

at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Liver Diseases.

Recent studies have shown that protein-energy malnutrition has a great

impact on both quality of life and survival in a cirrhotic patient.

Yoshitaka Fukuzawa, MD, PhD, professor, Division of Gastroenterology, School

of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagoya, led a prospective study on

the effects in outpatients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C. The

subjects were 70% male, and the average age was 60 years old.

Subjects with poor nutrition (90%) were identified and grouped using the

Maastricht Index, and were then prescribed a late-evening snack product with

6.1 g BCAAs and 13.7 g of protein (Aminoleban® EN (Otsuka Pharmaceutical

Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The product was given in divided doses, 1 hour

before bedtime for 3 months. The researchers conducted a statistical

comparison of classic dietetic, immunological and biochemical parameters, as

well as Short Form 36 quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) scales before

and after treatment.

Patients who took the late-evening snacks had a significant increase in each

parameter, which resulted in a significant decrease in Maastricht Index

score (P <.001) 3 months after treatment compared to the pre-treatment

baseline. In addition, arm circumference and arm-muscle circumference

increased significantly (P <.001) in these patients, while the triceps

skin-fold thickness decreased significantly (P <.001). For the

non-poor-nutrition group, changes in the various parameters were not

significant during the treatment period.

Virtually no adverse reactions were noted in the treated group. Muscle

cramps were reported by 20% of patients before treatment and by 10% at the

3-month mark. Three parameters improved significantly (P <.05) in the

quality-of-life assessment based on SF-36 -- role functioning (physical),

vitality, and mental health.

The researchers found the nutritional assessment based on the Maastricht

Index to be convenient and useful for screening patients with poor

nutrition, allowing them to conduct appropriate nutritional assessments at

an early stage of cirrhosis.

Aminoleban® EN is marketed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.

[study title: " Nutrition Assessment and Management in Outpatients With Liver

Cirrhosis Caused by HCV (LC-C) - Usefulness of a Branched Chain Amino Acid

(BCAA)-Rich Product As Late-Evening Snacks (LES). " Abstract 798]