Influence of the metabolic sequelae of liver cirrhosis on nutritional intake

BACKGROUND

The liver plays a central role in ingestive behavior; alterations in metabolic signaling to the brain stem as a result of chronic liver disease could influence intake.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the influence of metabolic sequelae of liver disease on nutrient intake and nutritional status.

DESIGN

Nutritional status and spontaneous dietary intake were examined in 65 cirrhotic patients and 14 control subjects. The response to feeding was investigated in 14 control subjects and a subgroup of 31 cirrhotic patients. Comparisons were made between patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and hepatocellular cirrhosis (HC).

RESULTS

Patients were nutritionally depleted. The fasting rate of lipid oxidation in the HC group was greater than in the control group (P < 0.01). In the fasting state, only HC patients were hyperinsulinemic [121.2+/-78.5 compared with 41.3+/-18.6 pmol/L in control subjects (P < 0.001) and 64.7+/-15.8 pmol/L in PBC patients (P < 0.05)] and this persisted during the response to feeding. In the fed state, the magnitude of change in carbohydrate oxidation was greatest in the HC group (HC: 34.6%; control: 23.1%; PBC: 25.2%). Carbohydrate and energy intakes of the HC group were lower than in control subjects (carbohydrate: 193+/-38.3 compared with 262+/-48.1 g/d, P < 0.05; energy: 6.29+/-1.40 compared with 9.0+/-2.12 MJ/d, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Reductions in carbohydrate intake could be mediated by hyperinsulinemia and compounded by preferential uptake of carbohydrate. This may enhance gastrointestinal satiety signaling and contribute to hypophagia.