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Abstract: FR-PO812

Effect of Leucine Supplementation and Resistance Exercise for Prevention of Sarcopenia in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Session Information

Category: Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

  • 1500 Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

Authors

  • Lee, Eu Jin, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea (the Republic of)
  • Park, Kyungho, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea (the Republic of)
  • Park, Heewon, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea (the Republic of)
  • Hwang, Yunkyeong, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea (the Republic of)
  • Han, Suyeon, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea (the Republic of)
  • Kim, Hae Ri, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Sejong, Korea (the Republic of)
  • Ham, Youngrok, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea (the Republic of)
  • Choi, Dae Eun, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea (the Republic of)
  • Na, Kiryang, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea (the Republic of)
  • Lee, Kang Wook, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea (the Republic of)
Background

Sarcopenia frequently occurs in hemodialysis patients up to 40%. We examined the effects of supplementation of leucine amino acid combined with resistance exercise on preventing sarcopenia in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).

Methods

This was a single center, prospective, single-arm pilot study. 22 non-sarcopenic patients on MHD at our hospital were enrolled. During the intervention period (first 12 weeks), participants were provided with daily 6g of leucine (3g in capsule and 3g via beverage) and a protocol for daily resistance exercise. Both interventions were stopped during following 12 weeks. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA), handgrip strength (HGS), short physical performance battery (SPPB), serum chemistry, immunophenotype of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined at baseline, 12 week and 24 week. Participants who expressed 5% or more improvement in each parameter were defined as responders.

Results

Among 22 patients, mean age was 55±11.8 years and hemodialysis vintage was 4.7±3.5 years. 7 patients (31.8%) were female. 21 patients (95.4%) showed improvement in at least one or more parameters. At 12 week, the number of responders were 14(63.5%) for skeletal muscle index and 7(31.8%) for grip strength. Baseline low grip strength (<35.0kg) was the strongest predictor of improvement in grip strength (AUC 0.933). Increase in grip strength was significant in females (7.6±8.2 vs -1.6±7.2%, p=0.03), in age over 60 (5.3±6.2 vs. -1.4±9.1%, p=0.04), and with higher exercise adherence (6.8±7.7 vs -3.2±6.4%, p=0.004). The number of responders were 13 patients (59.1%) for gait speed and 14(63.5%) for sit-to-stand time. Baseline low hemoglobin(<10.5 g/dL) and low hematocrit lower(<30.8%) were predictors of improvement in sit-to-stand time (AUC 0.862 and 0.848, respectively). Immunophenotypic analysis found that the intervention tended to increase naïve/memory CD8+ T cell ratio (from 1.2±0.8 to 1.4±1.1, p=0.07).

Conclusion

Supplementation of leucine amino acid combined with resistance exercise contributed to improvement of muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in certain group of non-sarcopenic hemodialysis patients. This intervention may have effect on prevention of sarcopenia in old-age, anemic, female patients on MHD with lower HGS.

Funding

  • Government Support – Non-U.S.