Protein tolerance to standard and high protein meals in patients with liver cirrhosis

Figure 1 Plasma alpha-amino nitrogen concentration in response to a 20 g protein meal. Cirrhotic patients (n = 6), (closed circles); healthy subjects (n = 6), (asterix) (mean ± SEM).

Figure 2 Plasma leucine (A), isoleucine (B) and valine (C) concentrations in response to protein meals. Twenty grams protein meal, cirrhotics (n = 8), (closed circles); 20 g protein meal, healthy subjects (n = 6), (asterix) (mean ± SEM); 1 g/kg body weight protein meal, cirrhotics (n = 6), (open squares).

Figure 3 Plasma ammonia concentrations in cirrhotic patients. Blood ammonia after a 20-g protein meal. Cirrhotic patients (n = 6), (closed circles); healthy subjects (n = 6), (asterix) (mean ± SEM).

Figure 4 Plasma tyrosine (A), cysteine (B) and methionine (C) concentrations in response to protein meals. Twenty grams protein meal, cirrhotics (n = 8), (closed circles); 20 g protein meal, healthy subjects (n = 6), (asterix) (mean ± SEM); 1 g/kg body weight protein meal, cirrhotics (n = 6), (open squares).

Figure 5 Plasma ammonia concentrations in cirrhotic patients. Individual results after a 1g/kg per body weight protein meal.