Efficacy and tolerability of a specific blend of amino acids in patients with anorexia nervosa treated in a hospital setting: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials

Study Protocol

Maurizio Ragni¹  Chiara Ruocco¹  Enzo Nisoli¹  Michele Carruba¹  Riccardo Dalle Grave²  Mirko Chimini²  Simona Calugi²  Alessandra Valerio³  Agnese Segala³ 

[1] Center for Study and Research on Obesity, Department of Biomedical Technology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli, 32, 20129, Milan, Italy;Department of Eating and Weight Disorders, Villa Garda Hospital, Via Monte Baldo, 89, Garda, 37016, Verona, Italy;Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Brescia University, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy;

关键词: Anorexia nervosa;    Amino acids;    Dietary supplement;    Lean body mass;    Outcome;    Physical fitness;    Psychopathology;    Treatment;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13063-023-07120-7

 received in 2022-11-11, accepted in 2023-01-28,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundSpecific blends of essential amino acids (EAA) containing a high percentage of branched-chain amino acids preserves mitochondrial metabolism and higher physical resistance in elderly mice, increasing their survival and improving physical performance and cognitive functions in malnourished elderly patients. However, no study has been yet done on patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) who regain weight with specialized intensive treatment. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of supplementation with EAA on the change in lean body mass (LBM) and other physical and psychological outcomes in patients with AN who are undergoing specialist treatment for eating disorders.MethodsThis is a 13-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients will be randomized to either a mixture of a complex blend of EAA and intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (citrate, malate, succinate) supplementation (or placebo) upon admission at the intensive residential and day-hospital treatment for eating disorders. Ninety-two participants with AN aged 16–50 years will be recruited from a specialized intensive treatment of eating disorders. Double-blind assessment will be conducted at baseline (T0) and the end of the 13 weeks of treatment (T1). The study’s primary aim is to evaluate the efficacy of supplementation with EAA and TCA intermediates on the change in lean body mass (LBM) with weight restoration in patients with AN who are undergoing specialist treatment for eating disorders. The secondary aims of the study are to assess the effect of dietary supplementation on physical fitness, weight restoration, modification of AN and general psychopathology, and psychosocial impairment.DiscussionThe study’s results will inform researchers and clinicians on whether supplementing a mixture of EAA and TCA cycle intermediates will improve the increase of LBM and other important physical and psychological outcomes in patients with AN who regain weight with specialized intensive treatment.Trial registrationNCT, NCT05290285. Registered on 22 March 2022.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 5