Branched‐chain amino acids improve insulin resistance in patients with hepatitis C virus‐related liver disease: report of two cases

Kawaguchi, Takumi; Taniguchi, Eitaro; Itou, Minoru; Sumie, Shuji; Oriishi, Tetsuharu; Matsuoka, Hidehiro; Nagao, Yumiko; Sata, Michio

doi:10.1111/j.1478-3231.2007.01559.x

Cited by 38 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…In addition to the nutritional role of BCAAs, studies have also evaluated patient QoL based on SF-36 tests (46,47). However, the effect of BCAA supplementation on IR and its association with viral load is less understood (29,30). In the present study, it was demonstrated that treatment with BCAA supplementation decreased IR and improved HR-QoL.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

“…A low BCAA/AAA ratio has been documented to reduce the biosynthesis and secretion of albumin in hepatocytes and has also been associated with the prognosis of patients with chronic liver disease (24,25). Oral supplementation with BCAAs may lower blood glucose (26,27) and mitigate CHC (28,29), and in the liver, BCAAs may suppress the expression of G6P and thus the final step of gluconeogenesis (30)(31)(32).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of branched‑chain amino acid supplementation on insulin resistance and quality of life in chronic hepatitis C patients

et al. 2017

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Abstract. The incidence rate of insulin resistance (IR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is high. Recently, branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) have been shown to attenuate IR in CHC patients; however, their effect on patient quality of life remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the current prospective study was to determine the effects of BCAA supplement on IR and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with CHC. In the study, 20 non-diabetic patients with CHC, who were non-responders to peginterferon-α and ribavirin, were recruited. Patients took a BCAA supplement once a day (30 g, after a minimum 10-h overnight fast) for 3 months. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, albumin, triglycerides and cholesterol were measured at 0 and 3 months. Additionally, IR was measured using the Homeostasis Model Assessment-IR, HR-QoL was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey and viral load was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using Taqman probes. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine statistical significance. The results indicated that 70% of the subjects were positive for IR, which decreased to 50% by the end of the study; furthermore, 85% of the subjects demonstrated some level of improvement. Overall, the BCAA treatment significantly decreased IR (P=0.006) and augmented serum albumin concentration (P=0.008) compared with basal values. Additionally, by the end of the treatment, viral load and triglycerides levels had decreased, though these results were not significant (P= 0.084 and P= 0.080, respectively). BCAA treatment also improved HR-QoL regarding role limitations due to physical health problems (P= 0.017), role limitations due to emotional problems (P= 0.026) and social function (P=0.008). In conclusion, BCAA supplementation reduced IR and improved HR-QoL in patients with CHC. These findings support the application of IR therapy as a possible therapeutic strategy for hepatitis C infection.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of branched‑chain amino acid supplementation on insulin resistance and quality of life in chronic hepatitis C patients

et al. 2017

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“…The available data indicates that BCAA supplementation raises the serum albumin level and improves the quality of life and survival of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. BCAA supplementation has been reported to improve glucose metabolism (11,12). However, mechanisms underlying the efficacy of BCAA supplementation on glucose intolerance in patients with liver cirrhosis have not been completely clarified.…”

Section: Hba1cmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, several clinical studies have shown that BCAA supplementation improves insulin and glucose tolerance in patients with liver cirrhosis (11,12). However, these short-term studies evaluated the effect of BCAA for less than 3 months.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term Branched-chain Amino Acid Supplementation Improves Glucose Tolerance in Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis-related Cirrhosis

et al. 2012

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Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements have mainly been administered as a nutritional intervention for decompensated liver cirrhosis. Several studies have shown that short-term BCAA supplementation improves insulin and glucose tolerance in patients with liver cirrhosis. However, the long-term effects of BCAA supplementation on glucose tolerance and in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related liver cirrhosis are unknown. Herein, we report 2 cases of NASH-related liver cirrhosis in which longterm BCAA supplementation improved glycemic control. We conclude that in the absence of an effective conventional therapy for NASH-related liver cirrhosis, BCAA supplementation should be considered as an alternative treatment.

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“…Aminofeel ® is a commercially available BCAA and zinc-enriched supplement. We previously examined the usefulness of the supplement and demonstrated that it improves insulin resistance, taste sensitivity and adherence to interferon therapy in HCV-infected patients (12)(13)(14)(15)(16). However, it remains unclear whether BCAA and zinc-enriched supplementation improves prognostic factors, including the platelet count, serum albumin levels, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value, serum BTR and zinc levels in HCV-infected patients.…”

Section: Effects Of Branched-chain Amino Acids and Zinc-enriched Nutrmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of branched-chain amino acids and zinc-enriched nutrients on prognosticators in HCV-infected patients: A multicenter randomized controlled trial

Kawaguchi

Nagao

Abe

et al. 2014

Molecular Medicine Reports

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Abstract. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and trace element deficiencies are associated with poor prognosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of BCAA and zinc-enriched supplementation on prognostic factors in HCV-infected patients. Fifty-three HCV-infected patients were enrolled in this multicenter randomized controlled trial. The patients were assigned to either the placebo (n=27) or supplement group (n=26; 6,400 mg/day BCAAs and 10 mg/day zinc) and were followed up for 60 days. Primary outcomes were prognostic factors for chronic liver disease, including the serum BCAA-to-tyrosine ratio (BTR), zinc levels and α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. There were no significant differences in any of the prognostic factors between the placebo and supplement groups at baseline. In the supplement group, the BTR and zinc levels were significantly increased compared with the placebo group (BTR: 5.14±1.59 vs. 4.23±1.14, P= 0.0290; zinc: 76±11 vs. 68±11 µg/dl, P=0.0497). No significant differences were observed in AFP levels between the groups in the whole analysis. However, a stratification analysis showed a significant reduction in ΔAFP levels in the supplement group, with elevated AFP levels compared with the other groups (-2.72±3.45 ng/ml, P= 0.0079). It was demonstrated that BCAA and zinc-enriched supplementation increased the BTR and zinc levels in the HCV-infected patients. Furthermore, the supplementation reduced the serum AFP levels in patients who had elevated serum AFP levels at baseline. Thus, BCAA and zinc-enriched supplementation may prolong the survival of HCV-infected patients by improving amino acid imbalance and zinc deficiency, and by partly downregulating AFP.

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Branched‐chain amino acids improve insulin resistance in patients with hepatitis C virus‐related liver disease: report of two cases

Cited by 38 publications

References 24 publications

Effect of branched‑chain amino acid supplementation on insulin resistance and quality of life in chronic hepatitis C patients

Effect of branched‑chain amino acid supplementation on insulin resistance and quality of life in chronic hepatitis C patients

Long-term Branched-chain Amino Acid Supplementation Improves Glucose Tolerance in Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis-related Cirrhosis

Effects of branched-chain amino acids and zinc-enriched nutrients on prognosticators in HCV-infected patients: A multicenter randomized controlled trial

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