Effect of Oral Supplementation with Branched-chain Amino Acid (BCAA) during Radiotherapy in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Double-Blind Randomized Study.
- Author:
Ik Jae LEE
1
;
Jinsil SEONG
;
Jung Im BAE
;
Sei Hwan YOU
;
Yumie RHEE
;
Jong Ho LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea. jsseong@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Randomized Controlled Trial ; Original Article
- Keywords:
Branched-chain amino acids;
Hepatocellular carcinoma;
Radiotherapy
- MeSH:
Amino Acids, Branched-Chain;
Body Mass Index;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular;
Cholesterol;
Hepatitis Viruses;
Humans;
Isoleucine;
Korea;
Leucine;
Liver;
Oxytetracycline;
Plasma;
Serum Albumin;
Valine
- From:Cancer Research and Treatment
2011;43(1):24-31
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The present study evaluated whether oral supplementation with a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) improves the biochemical and amino acid profiles of liver tumor patients undergoing radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups: a group given oral supplementation with BCAA granules (LIVACT granules; Samil Pharm Co., Korea, each granule containing L-isoleucine 952 mg, L-leucine 1,904 mg, and L-valine 1,144 mg) during radiotherapy, or a placebo group. Physical and biochemical examinations and measurements, including subjective symptoms, Child-Pugh class, body mass index, plasma albumin concentration, and plasma amino acid profiles were monitored. RESULTS: Fifty were enrolled between November 2005 and November 2006. We also analyzed data from 37 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in order to evaluate a more homogenous group. The two groups of patients were comparable in terms of age, gender, Child-Pugh score, and underlying hepatitis virus type. Serum albumin, total protein, liver enzymes, and cholesterol showed a tendency to increase in the BCAA group. In this group, the percentage of cases that reverted to normal serum albumin levels between 3 and 10 weeks after administration of BCAA was significantly higher (41.18%) than in the placebo group (p=0.043). CONCLUSION: Oral supplementation with a BCAA preparation seems to help HCC patients undergoing radiotherapy by increasing the BCAA concentration.
