AIM:To examine the significance of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) treatment before transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS:This study included 99 patients who underwent TACE therapy for HCC at our hospital and were followed up without treatment for at least 6 mo between January 2004 and January 2010.They were divided into 2 groups:those receiving BCAA granules (n=40) or regular diet (n=59,control).Data obtained were retrospectively analyzed (prior to TACE,and 1 wk,1,3,and 6 mo after TACE) in terms of nutritional condition and clinical laboratory parameters (serum albumin level and Child-Pugh score),both of which are determinants of hepatic functional reserve.RESULTS:The BCAA group comprised 27 males and 13 females with a mean age of 69.9 ± 8.8 years.The patients of the BCAA group were classified as follows:Child-Pugh A/B/C in 22/15/3 patients,and Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ /ⅣA HCC in 12/23/5 patients,respectively.The controlgroup comprised 32 males and 27 females with a mean age of 73.2 ± 10.1 years.In the control group,9 patients had chronic hepatitis,Child-Pugh A/B/C in 39/10/1 patients,and StageⅠ/Ⅱ/Ⅲ/ⅣA HCC in 1/11/35/12 patients,respectively.Overall,both serum albumin level and Child-Pugh score improved significantly in the BCAA group as compared with the control 3 and 6 mo after TACE (P < 0.05).Further analysis was performed by the following categorization:(1) child-Pugh classification;(2) liver cirrhosis subgroup with a serum albumin level > 3.5 g/dL;and (3) epirubicin dose.A similar trend indicating a significant improvement of all variables in the BCAA group was noted (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Treatment with BCAA granules in patients who have undergone TACE for HCC is considered useful to maintain their hepatic functional reserve. AIM: To examine the significance of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) treatment before transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: This study included 99 patients who underwent TACE therapy for HCC at our hospital and were followed up without treatment for at least 6 months between January 2004 and January 2010. These were divided into 2 groups: those receiving BCAA granules (n = 40) or regular diet (n = 59, control). Data obtained were retrospectively analyzed (prior to TACE , and 1 wk, 1, 3, and 6 mo after TACE) in terms of nutritional condition and clinical laboratory parameters (serum albumin level and Child-Pugh score), both of which are determinants of hepatic functional reserve .RESULTS: The BCAA group 27 males and 13 females with a mean age of 69.9 ± 8.8 years. The patients of the BCAA group were classified as follows: Child-Pugh A / B / C in 22/15/3 patients, and Stage Ⅱ / Ⅲ / ⅣA HCC in 12/23/5 patients, respectively. Controlled by 32 males and 27 females with a mean age of 73.2 ± 10.1 years in the control group, 9 patients had chronic hepatitis, Child-Pugh A / B / C in 39/10/1 patients, and Stage I / II / III / IVA HCC Both 1/11/35/12 patients, respectively. Overall, both serum albumin level and Child-Pugh score improved significantly in the BCAA group as compared with the control 3 and 6 mo after TACE (P <0.05) .Further analysis was performed by the following categorization: (1) child-Pugh classification; (2) liver cirrhosis subgroup with a serum albumin level> 3.5 g / dL; and (3) epirubicin dose. A similar trend indicating a significant improvement of all variables in the BCAA group was noted (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment with BCAA granules in patients who have undergone TACE for HCC is considered useful to maintain their hepatic functional reserve.