Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations Predict Mortality in Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The liver plays a key role in amino acid metabolism. In former studies, a ratio between branched-chain and aromatic amino acids (Fischer's ratio) revealed associations with hepatic encephalopathy. Furthermore, low concentrations of branched-chain amino acids were linked to sarcopenia in literature. Encephalopathy and sarcopenia are known to dramatically worsen the prognosis. Aim of this study was to investigate a complex panel of plasma amino acids in the context of mortality in patients with end-stage liver disease.

Methods

166 patients evaluated for orthotopic liver transplantation were included. 19 amino acids were measured from citrated plasma samples using mass spectrometry. We performed survival analysis for plasma amino acid constellations and examined the

SUBMITTER: Kinny-Koster B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4943589 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature