NCT00931060

Effects of Branched-Chain Amino Acids on Muscle Ammonia Metabolism in Patients With Cirrhosis and Healthy Subjects

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Aarhus · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 35 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Branched chain Amino Acids enhances the uptake of ammonia in muscle tissue.

Detailed description

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA; leucine, valine, isoleucine) are used to prevent hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients. The main effect of BCAAs is believed to take place in muscles where BCAAs provide carbon-skeletons for the TCA-cycle. This enhances the conversion of alfa-ketoglutarate to ammonia via glutamine. We intend to study the effect of oral administered BCAA on the metabolism of ammonia and amino acids across the leg-muscles by means of catheters inserted into the femoral artery (A) and vein (V). Muscle blood flow (F; L/min) will be determined by constant infusion of indocyanine green and indicator dilution principle. Arterial blood flow and A and V concentrations of ammonia and amino acids will be measured before an oral load of BCAA (0.45 g BCAA/kg body weight) and after 1 and 3 hours. The metabolism of ammonia will also be estimated by means of 13N-NH3 PET scans. Hypothesis: BCAA increases the uptake of ammonia in muscle tissue and lowers arterial ammonia.

Conditions

• Liver Diseases
• Hepatic Encephalopathy
• Hepatic Insufficiency

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Branched chain amino acids	Branched chain amino acids 0.45g/kg BW. Oral supplement. Administered once on study day

Timeline

• Start date: 2007-11-01
• Primary completion: 2009-06-01
• Completion: 2009-06-01
• First posted: 2009-07-02
• Last updated: 2009-09-15