Back to Search
Start Over
Inhibitory effect of branched-chain amino acid granules on progression of compensated liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus.
- Source :
-
Journal of gastroenterology [J Gastroenterol] 2008; Vol. 43 (1), pp. 63-70. Date of Electronic Publication: 2008 Feb 24. - Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Background: A phase II randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis to investigate the inhibitory effect of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) granules for oral use (TK-98) on disease progression.<br />Methods: Patients who had compensated liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus with baseline serum albumin levels between 3.6 and 4.5 g/dl were assigned to the TK-98 group, which was treated with BCAA granules (TK-98) for 168 weeks, or to a control group (no treatment).<br />Results: No symptoms indicating decompensated cirrhosis, including ascites, edema, and hepatic encephalopathy were reported in either the TK-98 or control group during the study observation period. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was noted in eight of the 39 patients studied, and of these three received TK-98 (15.8%) and five were untreated (25.0%). A time-to-event analysis for the effect of BCAA therapy on development of HCC revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, an additional analysis of data from a subgroup with a baseline serum albumin level of <4.0 g/dl showed that the incidence of HCC was likely to be lower in BCAA-treated patients.<br />Conclusions: BCAA may inhibit hepatic carcinogenesis in patients with compensated cirrhosis with a serum albumin level of <4.0 g/dl.
- Subjects :
- Administration, Oral
Aged
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular blood
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular etiology
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular prevention & control
DNA, Viral analysis
Disease Progression
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hepacivirus genetics
Hepacivirus immunology
Hepatitis C Antibodies analysis
Hepatitis C, Chronic blood
Hepatitis C, Chronic virology
Humans
Liver Cirrhosis blood
Liver Cirrhosis etiology
Liver Neoplasms blood
Liver Neoplasms etiology
Liver Neoplasms prevention & control
Male
Middle Aged
Serum Albumin metabolism
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Amino Acids, Branched-Chain administration & dosage
Hepatitis C, Chronic complications
Liver Cirrhosis drug therapy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0944-1174
- Volume :
- 43
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of gastroenterology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 18297438
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-007-2122-0