RESUMEN
Objective:To characterize the serum branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) and aromatic amino acid profiles in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC).Methods:Forty patients with ALC were recruited into the study group, twenty patients with hepatitis B-induced liver cirrhosis (HBV-LC) and ten healthy subjects (HC) were recruited as controls from August 2017 to August 2019 in Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University. The serum concentrations of isoleucine, leucine, valine, phenylalanine and tyrosine were determined by ultra-fast liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and Fischer ratio was also calculated for the three groups.Results:The serum isoleucine concentration in the study group [(23.74±8.81) μmol/L] was significantly lower than that in the HBV-LC group [(30.85±8.70) μmol/L, P = 0.031] and the HC group [(61.51±23.06) μmol/L, P < 0.01]. The serum leucine concentration in the study group [(127.99±38.54) μmol/L] was significantly lower than that in the HC group [(153.70±11.88) μmol/L, P = 0.036] and was not significantly different compared with the HBV-LC group [(126.70±31.00) μmol/L, P = 0.890]. The concentration of valine in the study group was (39.56±10.51) μmol/L, which was significantly lower than that in the HBV-LC group [(124.71±45.00) μmol/L, P < 0.01] and the HC group [(164.23±37.16) μmol/L, P < 0.01]. The concentration of phenylalanine in the study group was (141.19±29.35) μmol/L, which was significantly higher than that in the HBV-LC group [(116.07±21.52) μmol/L, P = 0.001] and the HC group [(80.94±7.16) μmol/L, P < 0.001]. Fischer ratio in the study group was significantly lower (1.17±0.34) than that in the HBV-LC group (2.07±0.66, P < 0.01) and the HC group (3.36±0.50, P < 0.01). Along with liver function deteriorating from Child-Pugh grade A to C, the isoleucine, leucine and valine levels in the study group decreased gradually. Fischer ratios in subgroups with Child-Pugh grade C and B liver function were 1.01±0.22 and 1.15±0.32, respectively, significantly lower than that in Child-Pugh grade A subgroup (1.52±0.38, P = 0.001 and P = 0.008). Conclusions:Serum BCAA levels and Fischer ratio decreased significantly in ALC patients, which were more prominent in patients with Child-Pugh grade B and C liver function. In Child-Pugh grade A patients, the decline of Fischer ratio developed earlier than the decrease of serum albumin. Monitoring of BCAA level changes should be an important component in nutritional intervention in ALC patients.
RESUMEN
I experienced two patients with liver cirrhosis accompanied by hepatic encephalopathy whose signs and symptoms improved with Kampo medicine, mainly using Daio.<br>Case 1 was that of a 54-year-old female patient who visited my department because of ascites caused by liver cirrhosis and chronic nephritis. Bunsho-to-kekko-kagen was administered, which subsequently cleared the ascites. However, her level of consciousness was depressed concomitantly with the development of constipation. Hyperammonemia was also noted. Daio was added to this Kampo formulation with the doses being increased gradually. When the dose of Daio reached 10g, constipation improved, and the level of consciousness returned to normal.<br>Case 2 was a 68-year-old female patient with liver cirrhosis and hypertension. She felt very giddy and had hyperammonemia. Shichimotsu-koka-to (15g) was administered, increasing the dose of Daio powder up to 5g. Blood ammonia concentrations decreased in proportion to an increase in the dose of Daio. Amino acid composition was not affected.<br>It seems that Daio decreases ammonia directly as well as indirectly via its cathartic action and its antibacterial action against intestinal bacteria. Further, its sedative effect is probably related to the improvement of cerebral signs and symptoms.