Protein Catabolism and the Dysregulation of Energy Intake-Related Hormones May Play a Major Role in the Worsening of Malnutrition in Hospitalized Cirrhotic Patients

Malnutrition in cirrhotic patients is extremely common and has a multifactorial aetiology, whose constitutive elements have not been completely elucidated yet. Protein depletion particularly important an imbalance of hormones regulating hunger satiety may be additive factor. The diagnosis treatment malnutrition are since associated with higher complication rates mortality. Our observational study aimed to protein status energy intake-related hormone levels cohort hospitalized patients. We enrolled 50 clinically stable assessed their nutritional anthropometric measurements nitrogen balance. In subgroup 16 10 healthy controls, circulating ghrelin leptin were studied. observed that 60% our malnourished on the basis mid-arm muscle circumference values; recorded daily intake was tendentially insufficient (mean 0.7 ± 0.5 g protein/kg vs. recommended 1.2–1.5 protein/kg/die). Cirrhotic had lower both compared controls. conclusion, face catabolic state food satiety, these play major role genesis and/or worsening malnutrition.