VALINE ENRICHED BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO-ACIDS IN THE TREATMENT OF HEPATIC-ENCEPHALOPATHY

We studied the effects of infusion of a liver adapted amino acid solut ion (Amino-Mel hepa(R): Group A) versus a liver adapted amino acid sol ution plus L-valine (Amino-Mel hepa(R) + L-valine: Group B) in 30 pati ents with decompensated liver cirrhosis with coma. Each 15 patients we re randomly allocated to the group A and B, respectively. Both regimen s included the infusion of glucose and fat, further supplementation of vitamins and trace elements in addition to the amino acid solution. T he results of this study show that in patients with advanced stage of hepatic coma a valine increased supply of branched chain amino acids n either influences the course of the disease nor the death rate. The pr ognosis of patients with this disease is mainly determined by liver fu nciton and accompanying complications.