Essential Amino Acid Supplement Lowers Intrahepatic Lipid despite Excess Alcohol Consumption

Abstract

Excess alcohol consumption is a top risk factor for death and disability. Fatty liver will likely develop and the risk of liver disease increases. We have previously demonstrated that an essential amino acid supplement (EAAS) improved protein synthesis and reduced intrahepatic lipid in the elderly. The purpose of this exploratory pilot study was to initiate the evaluation of EAAS on intrahepatic lipid (IHL), body composition, and blood lipids in individuals with mild to moderate alcohol use disorder (AUD). Following consent, determination of eligibility, and medical screening, 25 participants (18 males at 38 ± 15 years/age and 7 females at 34 ± 18 years/age) were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of two dosages: a low dose (LD: 8 g of EAAS twice/day (BID)) or high dose (HD: 13 g of EAAS BID). Five of the twenty-five enrolled participants dropped out of the intervention. Both groups consumed the supplement BID for 4 weeks. Pre- and post-EAAS administration, IHL was determined using magnetic resonance imaging/spectroscopy, body composition was analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and blood parameters were measured by LabCorp. T-tests were used for statistical analysis and considered significant at p < 0.05. While there was no significant change in IHL in the LD group, there was a significant 23% reduction in IHL in the HD group (p = 0.02). Fat mass, lean tissue mass, bone mineral content, and blood lipids were not altered. Post-EAAS phosphatidylethanol was elevated and remained unchanged in LD at 407 ± 141 ng/mL and HD at 429 ± 196 ng/mL, indicating chronic and excess alcohol consumption. The HD of the proprietary EAAS formulation consumed BID seemed to lower IHL in individuals with mild to moderate AUD. We suggest that further studies in a larger cohort be conducted to more completely address this important area of investigation.

Metabolic effects of an essential amino acid supplement in adolescents with PCOS and obesity

“…Finally, there were a few changes observed in hepatic phosphorus metabolites that would indicate greater hepatic membrane turnover, yet the absence of consistent findings is likely due to the lack of severe disease in our population [53]. These data demonstrate that EAA supplementation may lower liver fat across groups of individuals with a wide range of physical characteristics and disease states [25,33,39].…”

International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Effects of essential amino acid supplementation on exercise and performance

“…Conditions largely associated with aging have been a frequent target of EAA therapy, including sarcopenia [ 62 , 85 ], long-term-care-acquired infections [ 86 ], low physical function [ 63 ], and heart failure [ 40 , 87 , 88 ]. Beneficial effects of EAAs have also been reported in the following conditions or situations: rehabilitation [ 89–92 ]; stroke [ 93 , 94 ]; bed rest/immobilization [ 8 , 65 , 95–97 ]; peripheral artery disease [ 98 ]; renal failure [ 99–103 ]; inflammation [ 104 , 105 ]; critical illness [ 106 ]; lung cancer [ 107 ]; cystic fibrosis [ 108 ]; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [ 109–111 ]; wound healing [ 112 ]; brain injury [ 113 , 114 ]; metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors [ 115–117 ]; obesity [ 118 , 119 ]; liver fat [ 115 , 120–122 ]; and diabetes [ 123–127 ]. Importantly, in all of these studies beneficial effects were observed despite the absence of control of the consumption of EAAs contained in dietary protein, implying the importance of the rapid and complete absorption of free EAAs in clinical circumstances in which digestion may be impaired and anabolic resistance is prevalent.…”

Essential amino acid enriched meal replacement improves body composition and physical function in obese older adults: A randomized controlled trial

“…Seven slices of thigh muscle CSA were imaged, quantified, and averaged using Osirix (Geneva, Switzerland) [15]. Determination of intrahepatic lipid was performed in our laboratory as previously described [12].…”

“…Sampling and analysis of all metabolic, lipid, and hepatic blood panels were performed by LabCorp (1626, 30th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK) as previously described [12].…”

“…The acute benefits of a meal replacement enriched with essential amino acids (EAAs) compared to standard meal replacements on whole body net protein balance under isocaloric conditions in older individuals have been previously established [12]. In these studies that incorporated stable isotope methodology, higher net protein balance was influenced by the provision of specific amounts of EAAs and non-essential amino acids required for overcoming anabolic resistance [13].…”