Branched-chain amino acids and ammonia metabolism in liver disease: Therapeutic implications

Abstrakt

The first aim of this article is to demonstrate that in patients with liver failure may administration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA; valine, leucine, and isoleucine) beside a number of positive effects, exert an adverse effect on ammonia production due to the role of BCAA in glutamine synthesis. The second aim is to suggest how the negative effect of BCAA intake on ammonia production can be avoided.

Klíčová slova

• Alpha-ketoglutarate
• glutamine
• liver cirrhosis
• nutrition
• phenylbutylrate