IMPACT OF HEPAPRO PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTATION ON CLINICAL RECOVERY IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER DISEASE: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Background: Protein-energy malnutrition is a common complication of liver diseases, contributing to impaired hepatic function, systemic inflammation, sarcopenia, and poor quality of life. Methods: This prospective controlled study evaluated the effects of HepaPro protein supplementation (enriched with BCAA, SAMe) on liver function, nutritional status, inflammatory biomarkers, lipid profile, anthropometric parameters, fatigue, appetite, and quality of life in 40 patients with liver cirrhosis and 20 healthy controls. Cirrhotic patients received 30 g of protein supplement twice daily for 8 weeks, and biochemical, anthropometric, and clinical parameters were assessed before and after intervention. Results: Protein supplementation significantly improved liver function and nutritional status, with SGOT decreasing from 148.8 to 103.9 U/L (30.2%), SGPT from 104.3 to 73.6 U/L (29.4%), bilirubin from 2.86 to 1.71 mg/dL (40.3%), and CRP from 15.30 to 6.99 mg/L (54.3%) (p < 0.01 for all). Significant increases were observed in albumin (3.02–3.71 g/dL; 22.9%), total protein (6.16–6.86 g/dL; 11.4%), and the albumin-to-globulin ratio (0.82–1.02; 24.0%) (p < 0.001). Lipid metabolism improved with normalization of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, accompanied by significant improvements in body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, fatigue severity, appetite, and Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire scores (p < 0.001). In contrast, the placebo group exhibited no significant changes in liver enzymes, bilirubin, inflammatory markers, lipid profile, or anthropometric measurements. No adverse effects were observed among health controls. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that HepaPro protein supplementation is an effective adjunctive medical nutritional intervention that significantly improves hepatic function, nutritional status, inflammatory profile, metabolic parameters, and patient-reported outcomes in individuals with liver cirrhosis and acute liver diseases.