BCAA in Patients Undergoing Gastric Cancer Surgery

Surgical Related Muscle Loss (SRML) is a prevalent complication following surgery, defined by a 10 percent or more reduction in muscle mass in at least one arm and one leg muscle by the seventh day postoperatively. Older patients undergoing gastric cancer resection, at higher risk due to insufficient preoperative muscle mass, are more susceptible to SRML under surgical stress. This not only affects limb muscles but also impacts swallowing muscles, contributing to increased postoperative complications and mortality rates. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) has emerged as a multidisciplinary approach to facilitate postoperative recovery. This study aims to optimize oral nutrition under the ERAS model to observe its impact on SRML. BCAA is essential for skeletal muscles. However, there is limited research on the oral BCAA, whether before or after surgery, concerning SRML and its associated complications.

The investigators entails an 18-month randomized controlled trial with 200 participants. One hundred individuals will take 3160 mg of BCAA daily 14 days before surgery. After surgery, they can progress to a clear liquid diet around postoperative day five while continuing BCAA until 30 days postoperatively. The other one hundred participants will not receive BCAA. The study aims to investigate whether oral BCAA can reduce SRML, muscle loss, and decrease swallowing muscle strength, with observations on postoperative complications and outcomes within one year.

Regarding the swallowing measurement, high-resolution impedance manometry, the most accurate tool for assessing swallowing muscle strength, will be used. The ultrasound will also be used to investiagte the muscle loss. We will also investigate the genome associated BCAA study.

Inclusion criteria

• I) Patients confirmed to have gastric adenocarcinoma (one type of stomach cancer) through endoscopic biopsy prior to surgery, with the selection based on this type representing the majority of gastric cancer cases at National Taiwan University Hospital.

II) Patients aged between 20 and 90, irrespective of gender, are eligible for inclusion.

III) Severity of gastric cancer: Patients with clinical stages I to III and no distant metastasis, undergoing complete tumor resection, according to the 15th edition of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Classification.

IV) Postoperative status assessment of patients: Utilizing the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scoring system to assess the performance status of cancer patients. Scores of 0-2 indicate relatively good overall health, normal daily activities, and the ability to tolerate cancer-related treatments.

V) Patients with normal general blood biochemistry values, including Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Total Bilirubin, and Creatinine.

VI) Patients provide written informed consent prior to participation.

Exclusion criteria

• I) Exclusion criteria include patients with other diseases and complications such as: concurrent cancers in the stomach, the need for additional surgeries due to postoperative complications or unstable conditions, heart diseases categorized as New York Heart Association functional class ≥2 with thrombotic conditions, lung diseases categorized as Hugh-Jones grade ≥4, and patients currently undergoing insulin therapy.

II) Patients taking preventive medication for gastric cancer, such as those undergoing treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection.

III) As this study involves preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation exercises, patients with impaired physical function are not suitable.

IV) Individuals allergic to eggs, soybeans, or thiamine.

V) Patients already supplementing with BCAA (branched-chain amino acids).

VI) Individuals with psychological disorders that may affect their ability to provide informed consent or adhere to the study protocol.