Nutrient-induced thermogenesis and protein-sparing effect by rapid infusion of a branched chain-enriched amino acid solution to cirrhotic patients.

An increase in the resting energy expenditure (REE) on indirect calorimetry was observed by rapid intravenous infusion of a branched chain-enriched amino acid solution into cirrhotic patients. The increases resulted in nutrient-induced thermogenesis (NIT). The percentage of energy expenditure (EE) derived from protein decreased significantly with the infusion of the amino acids. The present pilot study demonstrates that branched chain amino acids can be utilized as energy substrates and a protein-sparing effect occurs in patients with liver cirrhosis.