Branched-chain amino acid deficiency stabilizes insulin-induced vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Abnormal sugar metabolism is closely related to chronic liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We previously reported that fasting hyperinsulinemia is a poor prognostic factor for HCC patients. A recent large-scale study has shown that long-term administration of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) reduces the risk of HCC development in obese cirrhotic patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, although the mechanism by which it does so is unclear.