The Effect of Calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (CaHMB) Supplementation in Sarcopenia in Liver Cirrhosis

The Effect of Calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate Supplementation in Sarcopenia in Liver Cirrhosis：A Randomized Double-blind Controlled Trial

This study is to evaluate the effect of CaHMB in the treatment of sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis.

The study is a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Patients randomly enter into two treatment groups: 1) the CaHMB group and 2) the placebo group. Treatment allocation is by block randomization, with an one-to-one ratio for CaHMB and placebo. The results are concealed in opaque envelopes. Patients will report their daily diets with an online software. Patients will come for clinic after 4 weeks and 12 weeks, receiving laboratory tests and sarcopenia evaluation, and events of primary and secondary outcomes will be analyzed.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. diagnosed of cirrhosis with imaging or liver biopsy;
2. diagnosis of portal hypertension with endoscopy or radiography；
3. assessed total muscle mass at the level of L3 (<42 cm2/m2 for male and <38 cm2/m2 for female)
4. has signed an informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. diagnosed as hepatic cell cancer;
2. complicated with malignancy, renal failure, diabetes mellitus;
3. comorbidities including heart failure or pulmonary disease;
4. current use of drugs that affect skeletal muscle metabolism;
5. be allergic to the experimental food;
6. participated other clinical trials in the past 3 months;
7. other conditions that researchers consider not suitable for this study