Anorexia and Plasma Levels of Free Tryptophan, Branched Chain Amino Acids, and Ghrelin in Hemodialysis Patients

The present study shows that poor appetite is associated with significantly lower branched chain amino acid levels but not with higher free tryptophan levels and higher free tryptophan/large neutral amino acid ratios in hemodialysis patients. In addition, significantly higher levels of ghrelin have been observed in patients with a poor/very poor appetite.