Oral Branched-chain Amino Acid Supplementation for Decompensated Cirrhotic Patients

Oral Branched-chain Amino Acid Supplementation for Decompensated Cirrhotic Patients: a Pilot Study

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the nutritional parameters after 12-week supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients with ascites and serum albumin less than 3 g/dL.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Would thigh muscle thickness change after 12-week supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients with ascites and serum albumin less than 3 g/dL?
2. Would triceps skin fold thickness, mid-arm circumferences, mid-arm muscle circumferences, skeletal muscle mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle index and fat mass change after 12-week supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients with ascites and serum albumin less than 3 g/dL?
3. Would handgrip strength change after 12-week supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients with ascites and serum albumin less than 3 g/dL?
4. Would serum albumin change after 12-week supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients with ascites and serum albumin less than 3 g/dL?
5. Would score for cirrhotic severity such as Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium Score (MELD-Na score) and Child Turcotte Pugh Score change after 12-week supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients with ascites and serum albumin less than 3 g/dL?

Participants will be asked to do following tasks:

1. Participants will be asked for basic information such as age, place of residence, and contact telephone number.
2. Participants will undergo measurements of weight, height, body mass index, skinfold thickness on the arms, circumference of the arms and legs, muscle mass, and body fat content using a body composition analyzer, both at the beginning and end of the research study.
3. Participants will perform grip strength measurements, at both the beginning and end of the research study.
4. Participants will undergo laboratory tests, including a complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests, blood clotting factors, and blood mineral levels, with a total blood volume of approximately 15 milliliters (1 tablespoon), collected twice during the study (at the beginning and end).
5. Participants will be administered supplements containing branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) twice a day for a total of 12 weeks.
6. Participants will be appointed for follow-up during the study, totaling 2 appointments at weeks 4 and 12. Side effects related to medication will be asked.
7. Participants will undergo ultrasound measurements of the right thigh to assess thigh muscle thickness, both at the beginning and end of the research study.
8. Participants will will complete questionnaires to assess your overall quality of life twice, both at the beginning and end of the research study.

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the nutritional parameters after 12-week supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients with ascites and serum albumin less than 3 g/dL.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Would thigh muscle thickness change after 12-week supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients with ascites and serum albumin less than 3 g/dL?
2. Would triceps skin fold thickness, mid-arm circumferences, mid-arm muscle circumferences, skeletal muscle mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle index and fat mass change after 12-week supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients with ascites and serum albumin less than 3 g/dL?
3. Would handgrip strength change after 12-week supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients with ascites and serum albumin less than 3 g/dL?
4. Would serum albumin change after 12-week supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients with ascites and serum albumin less than 3 g/dL?
5. Would score for cirrhotic severity such as Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium Score (MELD-Na score) and Child Turcotte Pugh Score change after 12-week supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients with ascites and serum albumin less than 3 g/dL?

Participants will be asked to do following tasks:

1. Participants will be asked for basic information such as age, place of residence, and contact telephone number.
2. Participants will undergo measurements of weight, height, body mass index, skinfold thickness on the arms, circumference of the arms and legs, muscle mass, and body fat content using a body composition analyzer, both at the beginning and end of the research study.
3. Participants will perform grip strength measurements, at both the beginning and end of the research study.
4. Participants will undergo laboratory tests, including a complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests, blood clotting factors, and blood mineral levels, with a total blood volume of approximately 15 milliliters (1 tablespoon), collected twice during the study (at the beginning and end).
5. Participants will be administered supplements containing branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) twice a day for a total of 12 weeks.
6. Participants will be appointed for follow-up during the study, totaling 2 appointments at weeks 4 and 12. Side effects related to medication will be asked.
7. Participants will undergo ultrasound measurements of the right thigh to assess thigh muscle thickness, both at the beginning and end of the research study.
8. Participants will will complete questionnaires to assess your overall quality of life twice, both at the beginning and end of the research study.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Cirrhotic patients of all etiology with aged of 18-85 years
2. Clinically detectable ascites
3. Serum albumin < 3 g/dL

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma outside the Milan criteria.
2. Patients with history of gastrointestinal bleeding and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) within the last 3 months.
3. Patients with acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF).
4. Patients with uncontrollable chronic comorbidities, including chronic heart failure in NYHA stages 3-4, end stage kidney disease requiring dialysis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Gold D.

5 .Patients who have undergone liver or kidney transplant. 6. Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). 7. Pregnant or lactating patients. 8. Patients who have undergone large volume paracentesis (>5 liters) with intravenous albumin administration on the day of study enrollment. 9. Patients with a history of above-knee amputation surgery. 10. Patients with a history of receiving intravenous albumin administration every 1-2 weeks within the last one month.