Effects of branched-chain amino acid-enriched nutrient for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma following radiofrequency ablation: A one-year prospective trial

Background and Aim: This prospective control study examined whether supplementation with branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA)‐enriched nutrients can help maintain and improve residual liver function and nutritional status in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods: Subjects were 49 patients with hepatitis C‐related HCC who underwent RFA. Two groups were formed: BCAA group (BCAA‐enriched nutrient, aminoleban EN) and controls (standard diet only). Event‐free survival rate, liver function tests, and Short Form (SF)‐8 scores were evaluated in both groups before and one year after RFA. Energy metabolism using indirect calorimetry was measured before and after 3 months. Results: Complete data were obtained from 35 patients (BCAA group, n = 20; controls, n = 15). Six events (death, recurrence of HCC, rupture of esophageal varices and liver failure) occurred during the observation period, but frequencies of these events did not differ between groups. Event‐free survival rate tended to be higher in the BCA group than in controls. Among the parameters of liver function, serum albumin level was only significantly increased over 6 months, and remained at similar values for one year (P