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Branched Chain Amino Acids and Postoperative Quality of Life

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Branched Chain Amino Acids in Clinical Nutrition

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

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Abstract

Patients with chronic liver disease often reach a state of protein-energy malnutrition, which may influence patient outcomes following surgery and subsequent quality-of-life (QOL). Recent assessments of QOL integrate a biochemical health model with a social science model that is based on the patient’s subjective perception of functioning and wellbeing across a range of physical, mental and social aspects of life. Since most liver neoplasms occur in patients with chronic liver disease, hepatic resection could potentially reduce QOL in these patients by further compromising liver function. Advances in surgical technology and perioperative management have led to hepatic surgical procedures, including liver resection and radiofrequency ablation, being the mainstay of curative treatment for not only hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but also metastatic liver tumours. However, hepatic surgery is still associated with postoperative morbidities due to the inevitable deterioration of liver function following a reduction in functioning liver mass. In general, it is recommended that nutrition is individualized according to a patient’s nutritional status and monitored to ensure well being and nutritional adequacy. Based on the clinical assessment, dieticians should therefore educate patients and carers about sodium and fluid restriction, and appropriate food choices. In this context, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) nutritional supplementation improves postoperative QOL over the long term after hepatic resection by restoring and maintaining nutritional status and whole-body kinetics. BCAA may also inhibit carcinogenesis in heavier patients with cirrhosis and play a key role in liver regeneration. Individualized intervention is thus recommended based on patient’s nutritional status

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Kochi organization for medical reformation and renewal grants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kochi Health Sciences Center, 2125-1 Ike, Kochi, Kochi, 781-8555, Japan

    Takehiro Okabayashi M.D., Ph.D., Akihito Kozuki M.D., Tatsuaki Sumiyoshi M.D. & Yasuo Shima M.D., Ph.D.

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  1. Takehiro Okabayashi M.D., Ph.D.
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  2. Akihito Kozuki M.D.
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  3. Tatsuaki Sumiyoshi M.D.
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  4. Yasuo Shima M.D., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Takehiro Okabayashi M.D., Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Intensive Care, Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom

    Rajkumar Rajendram

  2. Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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Okabayashi, T., Kozuki, A., Sumiyoshi, T., Shima, Y. (2015). Branched Chain Amino Acids and Postoperative Quality of Life. In: Rajendram, R., Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Branched Chain Amino Acids in Clinical Nutrition. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1914-7_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1914-7_16

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