TY - JOUR
T1 - Randomized pilot study: Effects of an exercise programme and leucine supplementation in patients with cirrhosis
AU - Román, Eva
AU - Torrades, Ma Teresa
AU - Nadal, Ma Josep
AU - Cárdenas, Guillem
AU - Nieto, Juan Camilo
AU - Vidal, Sílvia
AU - Bascuñana, Helena
AU - Juárez, Cándido
AU - Guarner, Carlos
AU - Córdoba, Juan
AU - Soriano, Germán
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - Background: Physical exercise could improve functional limitations, muscle mass, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with cirrhosis. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an exercise programme and leucine supplementation to increase exercise capacity, muscle mass, and HRQoL in patients with cirrhosis. Patients and Methods: Seventeen outpatients with cirrhosis were randomized to an exercise group (n = 8) or a control group (n = 9) in a pilot study. The programme of moderate exercise was performed for 12 weeks under supervision of a physiotherapist. All patients received oral leucine (10 g/day) during the study. At baseline and at the end of the study, we determined exercise capacity (6-min walk and 2-min step tests), anthropometric measurements, and HRQoL by Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. We also analyzed safety regarding complications of cirrhosis, liver and renal function, inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Results: In the exercise group, exercise capacity improved, as shown by the increase in the 6-min walk test from 365 (160-420) to 445 m (250-500) (p = 0.01), and in the 2-min step test (p = 0.02). Lower thigh circumference also increased, from 41 (34-53) to 46 cm (36-56) (p = 0.02), and the domains of SF-36 general health (p = 0.03), vitality (p = 0.01) and social function (p = 0.04) improved significantly. In the control group, no statistically significant changes were observed in any of the parameters. We did not observe complications of cirrhosis in either group during the study. Conclusions: A programme of moderate physical exercise together with leucine supplements in patients with cirrhosis is safe and improves exercise capacity, leg muscle mass and HRQoL. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media.
AB - Background: Physical exercise could improve functional limitations, muscle mass, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with cirrhosis. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an exercise programme and leucine supplementation to increase exercise capacity, muscle mass, and HRQoL in patients with cirrhosis. Patients and Methods: Seventeen outpatients with cirrhosis were randomized to an exercise group (n = 8) or a control group (n = 9) in a pilot study. The programme of moderate exercise was performed for 12 weeks under supervision of a physiotherapist. All patients received oral leucine (10 g/day) during the study. At baseline and at the end of the study, we determined exercise capacity (6-min walk and 2-min step tests), anthropometric measurements, and HRQoL by Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. We also analyzed safety regarding complications of cirrhosis, liver and renal function, inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Results: In the exercise group, exercise capacity improved, as shown by the increase in the 6-min walk test from 365 (160-420) to 445 m (250-500) (p = 0.01), and in the 2-min step test (p = 0.02). Lower thigh circumference also increased, from 41 (34-53) to 46 cm (36-56) (p = 0.02), and the domains of SF-36 general health (p = 0.03), vitality (p = 0.01) and social function (p = 0.04) improved significantly. In the control group, no statistically significant changes were observed in any of the parameters. We did not observe complications of cirrhosis in either group during the study. Conclusions: A programme of moderate physical exercise together with leucine supplements in patients with cirrhosis is safe and improves exercise capacity, leg muscle mass and HRQoL. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media.
KW - Branched-chain amino acids
KW - Cirrhosis
KW - Effort tolerance
KW - Muscle mass
U2 - 10.1007/s10620-014-3086-6
DO - 10.1007/s10620-014-3086-6
M3 - Article
VL - 59
SP - 1966
EP - 1975
JO - Digestive Diseases and Sciences
JF - Digestive Diseases and Sciences
SN - 0163-2116
IS - 8
ER -