Branched-chain amino acid oxidation in skeletal muscle - physiological and clinical importance of its modulation by reactant availability

Abstract

The paper demonstrates that the rates of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA; valine, leucine and isoleucine) transamination and decarboxylation in skeletal musclerespond rapidly to changes in BCAA and glutamine availability. Enhanced BCAA availability increases BCAA oxidation and glutamine synthesis, while enhanced availability of glutamine suppresses BCAA oxidation.

Keywords

• Branched-chain amino acids oxidation
• cachexia
• glutamine
• muscle
• nutrition
• leucine