AASLD: Late-Evening Snacks Benefit Hepatitis-Caused Cirrhosis

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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.