β‐Hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate, Arginine, and Glutamine Complex on Muscle Volume Loss in Critically Ill Patients: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract Background β‐Hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB), a metabolite of leucine, can strongly induce muscle protein synthesis. We evaluated the efficacy of HMB complex on muscle volume loss during critical care. Methods For this prospective, single‐center, randomized control trial, we created control and HMB groups by random assignment of intensive care unit (ICU) patients for whom enteral nutrition could be performed. From 164 ICU patients, 88 severely ill patients were included and assigned: 43 to control and 45 to HMB. From day 2 after admission, HMB group were administered 3 g HMB, 14 g arginine, and 14 g glutamine daily in addition to standard nutrition therapy. Early rehabilitation with electrical muscle stimulation was started from day 2 in both groups. As a primary outcome, we evaluated femoral muscle volume using computed tomography on days 1 and 10. Results Femoral muscle volumes of 24 control and 26 HMB group participants were analyzed as per protocol. Volumes decreased significantly during days 1–10 ( P < 0.0001). Volume loss rates were 14.4 ± 7.1% for control participants and 11.4 ± 8.1% for HMB participants ( P = 0.18). In a subgroup of the sequential organ failure assessment scores <10, femoral muscle volume loss was 14.0 ± 6.9% for control participants and 8.7 ± 6.4% for HMB ( P = 0.0474). Results of intention‐to‐treat analysis of the 2 groups showed no differences in basic characteristics or outcomes. Conclusions For critically ill patients, HMB complex supplementation from the acute phase of intensive care does not inhibit muscle volume loss.