BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO-ACIDS IN THE TREATMENT OF LATENT PORTOSYSTEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY - A DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED CROSSOVER STUDY

Branched chain amino acids were recommended for the tretment of portosystemic encephalopathy based on the false neurotrasmitter hypothesis. This hypothesis implies that by correction of the deranged amino acid pattern in the blood of cirrhotics, false neurotransmission and then portosystemic encephalopathy is improved. A double-blind crossover placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 22 inpatients with liver cirrhosis and obtained evidence of latent (subclinical) portosystemic encephalopathy using an extensive psychometric test program. Patients received a defined diet of 35 cal/kg .cntdot. day containing 1 g of protein. In addition, branched chain amino acids or casein in a dosage of 0.25 g/kg .cntdot. day was administered in a crossover fashion, each for 1 wk. Semiquantitative N balance increased during both treatments, with a tendency of a larger increase during brached chain amino acid treatment. At the same time ammonia concentration tended to decrease during branched chain amino acid treatment. At the same time ammonia concentration tended to decrease during branched chain amino acid treatment. Taking into account the crossover design, significant improvements attributable to branched chain amino acid treatment could be demonstrated in psychomotor functions (line tracing, tapping, steadiness, auditory reaction time), attention (digit table) and practical intelligence (digit symbol, number connection test).