Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate using male rats the effect of short-term adrenergic blockade on the rate of whole-body protein turnover and leucine oxidation, and on protein synthesis in specific tissues. Adrenergic blockade was induced by guanethidine (100 mg/b.w. subcutaneously).
There was insignificant effect of guanethidine on whole-body proteolysis, protein synthesis, and leucine clearance. However, protein balance was more negative due to the higher difference between protein synthesis and proteolysis in guanethidine treated animals than in controls.
In guanethidine treated rats, protein synthesis was higher in gastrocnemius muscle and in the kidneys and lower in liver and spleen. Changes in small intestine and colon were insignificant.
It is concluded that adrenergic blockade induced by guanethidine is associated with significant changes in protein metabolism, leucine oxidation and amino acid concentrations in several tissues.