Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplementation in Liver Transplant Recipients during Early Postoperative Course: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Published in: QJM : An International Journal of Medicine Vol. 117; no. Supplement_1
• Main Authors: AL Ansary, Adel Mohamad, Eldin Amin, Ghada Essam, Abdelmotaleb Ammar, Mona Ahmed Mohamed, Mohamed EL Anany, Reem Hussein
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 03.07.2024
• ISSN: 1460-2725; 1460-2393
• DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcae070.057

Abstract Background Nutrition is an integral part of health maintenance. The liver is the largest and most important metabolic organ, playing a pivotal role in integrating several biochemical pathways of carbohydrate, fat, protein, and vitamin metabolism. Malnutrition is a common complication of end- stage liver disease (ESLD). Progressive deterioration of nutritional status has been associated with poor outcome in cirrhotic patients. Liver transplantation (LT) revolutionized the management of liver disease. Nutritional therapy is an integral part of liver transplant care. Objective To identity the efficacy of different dietary nutritional supplements as zinc, vit D and immunonutrients (glutamine, omega 3, arginine and ribonucleic acid) for recipient at early post operative course. Material and Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis we enrolled a total of 7 studies for assessing the clinical outcomes of ICU patients underwent liver transplantation surgery and supplied with dietary supplements during early postoperative period. The studies also assessed the laboratory assessment of patients postoperatively during ICU admission period. Results Regarding postoperative dietary supplementations with HMB, we found significant difference for appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMI) regarding the baseline and the postoperative ASMI in the intervention group with HMB. But we did not report significant difference regarding the baseline and the postoperative Fat-free mass index (FFMI) in both intervention and control group with HMB. Also we did not find significant difference between base line and postoperative in both groups for Mid-arm muscle-circumference (MAMC), Fat mass index (FMI), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and Handgrip (HG). Data Sources Medline databases (PubMed, Medscape, ScienceDirect. EMF-Portal) and all materials available in the Internet till 2021. Conclusion BCAA as dietary supplementation showing a significant favorable effect regarding the baseline and the postoperative BTR levels, also for BCAA levels, Tyrosine levels, prealbumin levels, retinol binding protein and PTINR levels in both intervention and control groups. For HMB, we found significant difference for appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMI) regarding the baseline and the postoperative ASMI in the intervention group with HMB. But we did not report significant difference regarding the baseline and the postoperative Fat-free mass index (FFMI) in both intervention and control group with HMB.