Effect of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate on protein metabolism in bed-ridden elderly receiving tube feeding.

Malnutrition and muscle loss are common in bed-ridden elderly nursing home residents. Supplementation of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) has been shown to prevent muscle loss in several catabolic conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HMB supplementation on body composition and protein metabolism in bed-ridden elderly nursing home residents receiving tube feeding. The subjects were randomly assigned to HMB (n=39, 2 g/d) or control group (n=40). Anthropometry measurements, blood sampling, and 24-hr urine collection were performed on the day before and 14 days after the start of the study. A subgroup of subjects (HMB: n=19, control: n=20) continued the study for another 14 days. Changes in body weight and BMI were not significantly different between the groups after 14 or 28 days after controlling for baseline BMI. Blood urea nitrogen significantly decreased in the HMB group, while it remained unchanged in the control group after 14 days. Urinary urea nitrogen excretion significantly decreased in the HMB group, while it showed a trend of increase in the control group after 14 and 28 days, respectively. Changes in blood urea nitrogen and urinary urea nitrogen excretion were significantly different between the groups after controlling for baseline BMI. This study suggested that HMB supplementation for 2-4 weeks could reduce muscle breakdown in bed-ridden elderly nursing home residents receiving tube feeding.