Effect of Whey Protein Versus Egg Albumen Protein Challenge on Blood Ammonia Level in Patients of Decompensated Ethanol Related Cirrhosis.

NCT ID: NCT07299110

Last Updated: 2025-12-31

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

50 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-12-12

Study Completion Date

2025-12-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

In cirrhosis, altered nitrogen metabolism and reduced hepatic clearance of ammonia contribute to the development of Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy (MHE)-a subclinical but functionally debilitating condition. While adequate protein intake is essential to prevent sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients, the type of protein consumed can significantly influence postprandial ammonia generation, thereby affecting neurocognitive status.

This study investigates the differential ammoniagenic potential of two commonly used high-protein nutritional supplements-Whey protein, which is rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and rapidly absorbed, and egg albumen protein, which is slower digesting and higher in aromatic amino acids (AAAs), potentially more ammoniagenic.

In a crossover pilot design, 50 patients with decompensated ethanol-related cirrhosis will undergo two separate standardized protein challenges with 30g of each protein, spaced 24 hours apart. Venous ammonia levels and MHE parameters (via PHES/Stroop test) will be recorded pre- and 3 hours post-challenge.

The primary objective is to compare the change in blood ammonia between the two protein types. Secondary objectives include assessing MHE induction or worsening, and analysing the correlation between ammonia changes and cognitive decline.

By directly comparing the metabolic and neurocognitive response to distinct protein sources, this study will help inform safer dietary practices and refine nutritional supplementation in cirrhosis, especially for those at risk of hepatic encephalopathy.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Decompensated Cirrhosis Ethanol Related

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

whey protein and egg albumen

Each participant will receive two oral protein challenges in a crossover design:

1. Whey Protein Challenge: 30g of whey protein in 200-250 mL water on Day 1
2. Egg Albumen Challenge: 30g of egg albumen protein in 200-250 mL water on Day 2

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Whey Protein

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Whey Protein Challenge: 30g of whey protein in 200-250 mL water on Day 1.

Egg Albumen

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Egg Albumen Challenge: 30g of egg albumen protein in 200-250 mL water on Day 2.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Whey Protein

Whey Protein Challenge: 30g of whey protein in 200-250 mL water on Day 1.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Egg Albumen

Egg Albumen Challenge: 30g of egg albumen protein in 200-250 mL water on Day 2.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Known or newly diagnosed (clinical, imaging) case of decompensated ethanol related cirrhosis patients.
2. Age (18-70 years).
3. Informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

1. History of overt HE (West Haven grade II or more).
2. Last Intake \<1.5 months.
3. CKD (creatinine \>1.5 mg/dL), active infection, GI bleeding in past 2 weeks.
4. Severe anaemia (Hb \<7 g/dL) or hypoalbuminemia (\<2.0 g/dL).
5. Known egg or dairy allergy.
6. Those on sedatives, antidepressant or anti-psychiatric medication.
7. Unable to understand the language or instructions.
8. Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
9. TIPS.
10. Receiving rifaximin or lactulose.
11. Diarrhea, SIBO or malabsorptive syndrome.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

70 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, India

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Institiute of liver and biliary sciences

New Delhi, , India

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

India

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Dr Ishank Johri, MD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 01146300000

Email: [email protected]

Dr Ashok Choudhury, DM

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 01146300000

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Dr Ishank Johri, MD

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

ILBS-Cirrhosis-74

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id