Abstract
Sarcopenia is a frequent complication in liver transplant (LT) recipients. β-hydroxy-β-methyl-butyrate (HMB) has the potential to increase muscle-performance and tropism. Our study aims at evaluating the effect on muscle mass and functioning, and the safety of 12 weeks of HMB supplementation in patients after LT. This is a pilot, randomized study. Male patients undergoing LT were randomly assigned to the HMB or control group. A diet interview, anthropometry and body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) were performed at enrollment (T0), after 12 weeks (T1) and after 12 months (T12). Twenty-two liver transplant male patients were enrolled in the study: 12 in the HMB group and 10 as the control group. At enrollment, demographic, clinical and nutritional data were similar. According to the appendicular skeletal muscle index, sarcopenia was present in 50% of patients. The appendix skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) showed a significant increase at T1 and T12 in HMB patients, but not in controls. The mid-arm muscle-circumference and hand grip strength also increased at T1 and T12 versus T0 only in the HMB group. No side effects were reported in either group. The study showed a positive effect of HMB in the recovery of muscle mass and strength after LT. HMB supplement in patients after LT was safe and well tolerated.
Highlights
Malnutrition is an important burden in patients affected by liver cirrhosis with an incidence ranging from 20% to 90%, depending on the population studied and the diagnostic tools used for the diagnosis [1,2,3]
Sarcopenia is associated with an increased risk of mortality, higher prevalence of portal hypertension-related complications and infections, and longer hospital stays for cirrhotic patients [5,6,7,8]
Figureis4.aHand gripcomplication strength (HG)in modification in the recipients control andthat group during follow up
Summary
Malnutrition is an important burden in patients affected by liver cirrhosis with an incidence ranging from 20% to 90%, depending on the population studied and the diagnostic tools used for the diagnosis [1,2,3]. The main component of malnutrition in liver cirrhosis is represented by sarcopenia. The term sarcopenia was first developed to describe a condition of muscle atrophy associated with aging process (“primary sarcopenia”). Nutrients 2019, 11, 2259 independently of ageing (“secondary” sarcopenia) [4]. Sarcopenia is associated with an increased risk of mortality, higher prevalence of portal hypertension-related complications and infections, and longer hospital stays for cirrhotic patients [5,6,7,8]
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