TBA (25S147)

Immunophenotype of Patients with Advanced Chronic Liver Disease Following Branched Chain Amino Acid Supplementation.

Author(s)

M. McKenna-Barry1,2&3, R. Saeidi1&2, C. McHale1&2, C. O’Connor1&2, J. Ryan1&2, J. Dowling1 & K. Boland1&2

Department(s)/Institutions

1 Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 2 Beaumont Hospital 3 Bon Secours Hospital

Introduction

Low circulating BCAA are associated with sarcopenia for patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). BCAA have important roles in the hepatic immune system.

Aims/Background

Given the potential beneficial muscular effects of BCAA for patients with ACLD this study characterises their immunophenotype before and after BCAA supplementation.

Method

Serum samples of patients with ACLD in a single centre, randomised trial of BCAA supplementation (BCAA) and standard of care (SC) at enrolment and 12 weeks and samples from healthy controls (HC) attending endoscopy were analysed by multi-bead arrays for IL1b, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL12p70 and TNF alpha via flow cytometry. Results are presented as medians and interquartile ranges. Units for cytokines are pg/mL.

Results

23 HC and 28 (17 BCAA, 11 SC) patients with ACLD were included. Patients with ACLD had higher IL6 than HC (43.943 ( 39.337-51.143) versus 38.933 (33.923–43.215), p=0.029). Patients with ACLD had lower IL8 than HC (33.647 (27.458–52.847) versus 58.028 (55.178–61.163), p=<0.001). Patients with ACLD had lower IL12p70 than HC (15.514 (12.519–18.156) vs 17.246 (15.132 -20.064), p=0.033). No statistically significant changes in cytokines were seen between BCAA and SC patients. Intra group changes were seen for BCAA patients between weeks 0 and 12 for IL1b (13.941 (10.615-16.274) to 12.386 (9.772-13.336), p= 0.032) IL6 (40.226 (35.701-44.832) to 44.670 (36.348-53.477), p=0.048) and IL8 (38.444 (30.184-59.410), p=0.027). Intra group changes were seen in HC for IL6 (27.797 (24.240-34.723) to 69.941 (53.981 to 86.414), p=0.001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the baseline and post BCAA changes in immunophenotype for patients with ACLD.