Composition for amelioration of hypoalbuminemia

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a composition for ameliorating hypoalbuminemia containing a branched-chain amino acid(s) as an active ingredient(s), wherein the composition contains leucine and/or isoleucine as the active ingredient(s) and does not contain valine. As the above branched-chain amino acid(s), leucine and isoleucine are preferably contained. The mass ratio of leucine to isoleucine described above is preferably from 0.1 to 10. As the above branched-chain amino acid(s), either leucine or isoleucine alone may be contained. The present invention is suitably used as an infusion formulation, an oral formulation or a food or drink.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a composition for ameliorating hypoalbuminemia, and particularly relates to a composition for ameliorating hypoalbuminemia for preferred use in forms such as an infusion formulation, an oral formulation and a food or drink.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Conventionally, amino-acid preparations containing a branched-chain amino acids have been widely used for the purpose of ameliorating hypoalbuminemia and the like caused by a hepatic disease, etc. Such amino-acid preparations for ameliorating hypoalbuminemia containing a branched-chain amino acids are required to have an albumin production promotive effect as an efficacy index and reductions of side effects as a safety index. Three amino acids, valine, leucine and isoleucine are branched-chain amino acids. For example, Livact (registered trade mark) is an example of amino-acid preparations containing all of these valine, leucine and isoleucine as active ingredients, and is widely used.[0003]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]As explained in the above, the composition for ameliorating hypoalbuminemia of the present invention contains a branched-chain amino acid as an active ingredient. Since valine is not substantially contained as the branched-chain amino acid, if the composition is used in the form of e.g., a preparation, a high albumin production promotive effect is exerted; at the same time, high safety is shown due to fewer side effects. In particular, since a substantial glucose load on a hepatic disease patient, who is in the state of impaired glucose tolerance, can be significantly reduced, the aforementioned conventional problems can be sufficiently solved.

[0022]Specifically, the composition for ameliorating hypoalbuminemia can prevent or improve hypoalbuminemia caused by a reduction in exogenous intake of nutrition by indigestion and malnutrition, low nutrient conditions after surgical operations, a reduction in protein production in hepatic diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis; leakage of in vivo proteins out of the body observed in e.g., nephrosis syndrome and protein-losing gastroenteropathy and burn; hypercatabolism of in vivo proteins observed in diseases such as serious infection, fever, hyperthyroidism and malignant tumors; and a large amount of pleural effusion and ascites fluid storage, anasarca, and burn. Furthermore, the composition for ameliorating hypoalbuminemia can prevent or improve symptoms such as leg cramps, lung edema, ascites fluid and edema caused by the hypoalbumin state as mentioned above.

Problems solved by technology

Such conventional amino-acid preparations containing all of the three branched-chain amino acids have not yet satisfied requirement of clinical practice for the hypoalbuminemia amelioration effect on a hepatic disease patient.

Furthermore, conventional amino-acid preparations containing all of the three branched-chain amino acids may develop side effects such as nausea, a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, vomiting, inappetence and heartburn.

These side effects are due to a heavy protein load in the body.

Therefore, a conventional amino-acid preparations containing a large amount of protein may reduce compliance.

However, the above conventional amino-acid preparation and the composition disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3712539 cannot sufficiently exert an efficacy that an amino-acid preparation is expected to have, particularly, an albumin production promotive effect.

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