HMB nutrition supplement did not show a muscle mass advantage in cirrhosis
A small pilot trial found no statistically significant difference in muscle mass or grip strength versus maltodextrin. Improvements within the supplement group did not establish superiority.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The supplement did not show a statistically significant advantage over the control for muscle mass or handgrip strength. Some other measurements improved from baseline within the supplement group, but those changes answer a different question. This small pilot study leaves uncertainty about benefits for people with cirrhosis and sarcopenia.
Only 21 patients were enrolled. The abstract supplies no between-group effect estimates or confidence intervals, so the nonsignificant findings cannot establish equivalence or exclude an effect.
What researchers found
Muscle mass and handgrip strength
At 12 weeks, HMB-containing supplement versus maltodextrin; muscle mass assessed by bioelectrical impedance. Between-group effect sizes and confidence intervals were not reported.
What was actually tested
The intervention was an oral supplement containing HMB alongside protein and calories. Its primary endpoint was change in muscle mass, so this trial does not isolate the effect of HMB alone.
Changes within a group
The supplement group improved from baseline in phase angle, arm muscle circumference, and chair stand performance. The abstract reports these as within-group findings and says the supplement was well tolerated, with no significant adverse events.
The original publication
The effects of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate on sarcopenia in stable decompensated cirrhosis: A pilot randomized controlled trial.
Manasirisuk W, Jinchai J, Inthanon J et al.
Clin Nutr ESPEN · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41544700
- Record checked
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