The role of branched-chain amino acids in liver diseases

The conference on branched-chain amino acids in liver diseases

On March 23, 2019, the Vietnam Society of Infectious Diseases (VSID) co-operated with VIMEDIMEX Binh Duong Company and EAPharma Company to organise a conference on the role of BCAA in liver diseases.

Numerous doctors in the field of infectious diseases and the gastrointestinal-hepatobiliary area in Vietnam attended this conference to update on new clinical advances to apply in their daily practices.

Vietnam is in a group of countries with a relatively high prevalence of the hepatitis virus (about 10-20 per cent of the population is infected with hepatitis B and 9.4 per cent with hepatitis C virus). In addition, the number of deaths from cirrhosis accounts for 3 per cent of all deaths from diseases and among the causes of cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, and alcoholic hepatitis.

Bui Huu Hoang's lecture on the role of BCAAs in liver diseases

Liver cirrhosis, ascites is frequently accompanied with liver failure. Due to impaired liver function, the patients suffer from malnutrition and hypoalbuminemia (albumin is a main material for protein synthesis). In addition, ascites syndrome leads to abdominal distention and loss of appetite, resulting in a weakened quality of life (QOL).

Studies have shown that BCAAs are involved in various bioprocesses such as protein synthesis, gene expression, and insulin resistance. Recently, BCAAs have also been reported to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from developing and improving the functioning of immune cells.

In advanced cirrhotic patients, it has been shown that serum concentrations of BCAA are decreased, whereas those of aromatic amino acids (AAAs) are increased. These alterations are thought to be the cause of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), sarcopenia, and hepatocarcinogenesis, and may be associated with the poor prognosis of patients with these conditions.

Administration of BCAA-rich supplements has shown positive results in patients with cirrhosis and HCC.