Editorial, J Clin Nutr Metab Vol: 2 Issue: 1

The Potential Role of Î’-Hydroxy-Î’-Methylbutyrate in Preventing Muscle Loss in Chronic Diseases

Chen-Kang Chang^*

Department of Sport Performance, National Taiwan University of Sport, Taiwan

*Corresponding Author : Chen-Kang Chang
Department of Sport Performance, National Taiwan University of Sport, 16, Sec 1, Shuan-Shih RD, Taichung 404, Taiwan
Tel: (04) 22213108-2235
E-mail: wspahn@seed.net.tw

Received: December 02, 2017 Accepted: January 10, 2018 Published: January 17, 2018

Citation: Chang CK (2018) The Potential Role of Β-Hydroxy-Β-Methylbutyrate in Preventing Muscle Loss in Chronic Diseases. J Clin Nutr Metab 2:1.

Abstract

Keywords: Cardiac cachexia; Heart failure; Lean body mass, β− hydroxy--β-methylbutyrate (HMB)

Editorial

Loss of lean body mass is apparent in many chronic diseases, such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart failure. The loss is a combined consequence of clinical conditions, loss of appetite, and lack of physical activity. In addition, even short-term hospitalization would increase the risk for loss of lean body mass [1,2]. It has been shown that this malnutrition state significantly increased the length of hospitalization, readmission rate, and mortality [2,3]. With the high incidence of loss of lean body mass, even in the presence of enteral and/or parental nutrition support, dietary supplements that could prevent muscle loss under stressful conditions may be helpful in these patients.

β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB), a leucine metabolite, is a popular supplement in exercising populations. HMB has been shown to be effective in augmenting the gain in lean body mass in young and old subjects, in combination with resistance training [4-6]. HMB can increase muscle protein synthesis by activating mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) [7]. HMB can also attenuate muscle protein breakdown by inhibiting ubiquitin-mediated autophagy [8-10]. Its anti-catabolic effect has drawn interest from clinical settings. We have shown that a short-term HMB supplementation had anticatabolic effect and improved pulmonary function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in an intensive care unit setting [11]. HMB supplementation also improved nitrogen balance in critically injured [12] and hospitalized elderly patients [13]. Moreover, supplementation of HMB, arginine, and glutamine increased fat-free mass in advanced cancer [14] and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients [15].

A recent meta-analysis has revealed that HMB can preserve muscle mass in generally healthy older adults [16]. With the growing evidence of its anti-catabolic effect in various chronic diseases, HMB supplementation should receive more attention in both clinical settings and scientific research.

References

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