Randomised clinical trial: effect of adding branched chain amino acids to exercise and standard-of-care on muscle mass in cirrhotic patients with sarcopenia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The role of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) in improving muscle mass in cirrhosis is presently debatable.

Aims

To evaluate the role of BCAA in improving muscle mass in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in patients with cirrhosis having sarcopenia.

Methods

Consecutive patients with cirrhosis with Child-Pugh score < 10 and sarcopenia were randomized to receive either 12 g/day of BCAA orally or a placebo (1:1) for 6 months in addition to a home-based exercise program (30 min/day), dietary counselling and standard medical therapy. Sarcopenia was defined according to gender-specific axial skeletal muscle index (SMI) cut-offs. The primary endpoint was a change in muscle mass based on CT scan (SMI) after 6 months of supplementation.

Results</

SUBMITTER: Mohta S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9037580 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature