Data collection

The following variables were recorded at the start of the clinical trial: age, sex, body weight, white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count, prothrombin time/international normalized ratio, and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, and creatinine, and branched‐chain amino acids‐to‐tyrosine ratio (BTR). Presence of portal systemic shunt, esophageal varix, and ascites was evaluated by abdominal images including ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and endoscopy. Asterixis score was determined as previously described:17 score 0, no asterixis observed; score 1, no spontaneous asterixis observed, with slight occurrence when the subject is in a tremor‐producing posture; score 2, no spontaneous asterixis observed, but it occurs easily when the subject is in a tremor‐producing posture; score 3, asterixis occurs without the subject being in a tremor‐producing posture; and score 4, asterixis occurs almost continuously without the subject being in a tremor‐producing posture.