Role of Branched Chain Amino Acids in the Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy

2 Abstract: To know the association of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) in the management of hepatic encephalopathy. Prospective, comparative, non randomized open study. This study was conducted in Medical Unit-4, LUMHS, Hyderabad, Pakistan from January 2007to October 2007 in indoor patients. Forty Eight (48) cases of chronic hepatic encephalopathy were included for the study.24 patients were kept on branch chain amino acids and 24 patients were on control group. All investigations were done in all cases for the diagnosis and the classification of Chronic Liver Diseases (CLD) including ammonia and serum albumin level. Serum Ammonia and serum albumin level on admission day and sixth day and after four months were done. Recovery and reoccurrence of hepatic encephalopathy were compared on patients who were on brand chain amino acids given initially intravenously then kept on oral amino acids with those of control group without aminoleban. Those who were on aminoleban showed early improvement and recovery from hepatic encephapathy and subsequently on follow up visits at four months. Ammonia level which was initially raised decreased subsequently on sixth day and on fouth month. And their albumin level also increased at four month follow up compared to patients who did not received aminoleban. On grounds of above study we recommended branched amino acids for the treatment and prevention of chronic hepatic encephalopathy.