AIM:To examine the significance of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) treatment before transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS:This study included 99 patients who underwent TACE therapy for HCC at our hospital and were followed up without treatment for at least 6 mo between January 2004 and January 2010.They were divided into 2 groups:those receiving BCAA granules (n=40) or regular diet (n=59,control).Data obtained were retrospectively analyzed (prior to TACE,and 1 wk,1,3,and 6 mo after TACE) in terms of nutritional condition and clinical laboratory parameters (serum albumin level and Child-Pugh score),both of which are determinants of hepatic functional reserve.RESULTS:The BCAA group comprised 27 males and 13 females with a mean age of 69.9 ± 8.8 years.The patients of the BCAA group were classified as follows:Child-Pugh A/B/C in 22/15/3 patients,and Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ /ⅣA HCC in 12/23/5 patients,respectively.The controlgroup comprised 32 males and 27 females with a mean age of 73.2 ± 10.1 years.In the control group,9 patients had chronic hepatitis,Child-Pugh A/B/C in 39/10/1 patients,and StageⅠ/Ⅱ/Ⅲ/ⅣA HCC in 1/11/35/12 patients,respectively.Overall,both serum albumin level and Child-Pugh score improved significantly in the BCAA group as compared with the control 3 and 6 mo after TACE (P 3.5 g/dL;and (3) epirubicin dose.A similar trend indicating a significant improvement of all variables in the BCAA group was noted (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Treatment with BCAA granules in patients who have undergone TACE for HCC is considered useful to maintain their hepatic functional reserve.
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