scholarly journals Effect of long-term refeeding on protein metabolism in patients with cirrhosis of the liver

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Kondrup ◽  
Klaus Nielsen ◽  
Anders Juul

Patients with cirrhosis of the liver require an increased amount of protein to achieve N balance. However, the utilization of protein with increased protein intake, i.e. the slope from regression analysis of N balance v. intake, is highly efficient (Nielsen et al. 1995). In the present study, protein requirement and protein utilization were investigated further by measuring protein synthesis and degradation. In two separate studies, five or six patients with cirrhosis of the liver were refed on a balanced diet for an average of 2 or 4 weeks. Protein and energy intakes were doubled in both studies. Initial and final whole-body protein metabolism was measured in the fed state by primed continous [15N]glycine infusion. Refeeding caused a statistically significant increase of about 30% in protein synthesis in both studies while protein degradation was only slightly affected. The increase in protein synthesis was associated with significant increases in plasma concentrations of total amino acids (25%), leucine (58%), isoleucine (82%), valine (72%), proline (48%) and triiodothyronine (27%) while insulin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-binding protein-3 were not changed significantly. The results indicate that the efficient protein utilization is due to increased protein synthesis, rather than decreased protein degradation, and suggest that increases in plasma amino acids may be responsible for the increased protein synthesis. A comparison of the patients who had a normal protein requirement with the patients who had an increased protein requirement suggests that the increased protein requirement is due to a primary increase in protein degradation. It is speculated that this is due to low levels of IGF-I secondary to impaired liver function, since initial plasma concentration of IGF-I was about 25% of control values and remained low during refeeding.

1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (5) ◽  
pp. E928-E934 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. S. Nair ◽  
R. G. Schwartz ◽  
S. Welle

Leucine has been proposed as an in vivo regulator of protein metabolism, although the evidence for this in humans remains inconclusive. To test this hypothesis, we infused either L-leucine (154 +/- 1 mumol.kg-1 x h-1) or saline intravenously in six healthy men in two separate studies. L-Leucine infusion increased plasma concentrations of leucine and alpha-ketoisocaproate from 112 +/- 6 and 38 +/- 3 mumol/l to 480 +/- 27 (P < 0.001) and 94 +/- 13 mumol/l (P < 0.001), respectively, without any significant change in circulating insulin or C peptide levels. Leucine infusion decreased plasma concentrations of several amino acids and decreased whole body valine flux and valine oxidation (using L-[1-13C]valine as a tracer) and phenylalanine flux (using [2H5]-phenylalanine as a tracer). According to arteriovenous differences across the leg, the net balance of phenylalanine, valine, and lysine shifted toward greater retention during leucine infusion, whereas alanine balance did not change. Valine release and phenylalanine release from the leg (estimated from the dilution of respective tracers) decreased, indicating inhibition of protein degradation by leucine infusion. We conclude that leucine decreases protein degradation in humans and that this decreased protein degradation during leucine infusion contributes to the decrease in plasma essential amino acids. This study suggests a potential role for leucine as a regulator of protein metabolism in humans.


1990 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 621-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Carli ◽  
J. Webster ◽  
V. Ramachandra ◽  
M. Pearson ◽  
M. Read ◽  
...  

1. The present study was designed in an attempt to resolve conflicting views currently in the literature relating to the effect of surgery on various aspects of protein metabolism. 2. Sequential post-operative (2, 4 and 6 days) changes in whole-body protein turnover, forearm arteriovenous difference of plasma amino acids, glucose, lactate and free fatty acids, muscle concentration of free amino acids, RNA and protein, urinary nitrogen and 3-methylhistidine, plasma concentrations of insulin, cortisol and growth hormone, and resting metabolic rate, were measured in six patients undergoing uncomplicated elective total abdominal hysterectomy. 3. All patients received a constant daily diet, either orally or intravenously, based on 0.1 g of nitrogen/kg and an energy content of 1.1 times the resting metabolic rate for 7 days before and 6 days after surgery. 4. Whole-body protein turnover, synthesis and breakdown increased significantly 2 days after surgery (P <0.05) and returned towards pre-operative levels thereafter. 5. Forearm release of branched-chain amino acids and alanine, and efflux of glucose and lactate, were enhanced 4 days after surgery (P <0.05). Muscle glutamine and alanine concentrations were decreased on the fourth and sixth days after surgery (P <0.05). The RNA/protein ratio (indicating the capacity for protein synthesis) was unaltered. 6. A significant increase in urinary nitrogen and 3-methylhistidine was observed on days 3 and 4 after surgery (P <0.05). Thereafter, these parameters remained elevated, although failing to reach statistical significance. 7. The resting metabolic rate was significantly increased (P <0.05) 2 days after surgery but the respiratory quotient (0.77) was unchanged. 8. These data support the contention that whole-body protein synthesis and breakdown increase after surgery. Differences observed pre- and post-operatively between leucine kinetic estimates and other methods of quantifying protein metabolism indicate that only like methodologies should be compared.


1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (4) ◽  
pp. E584-E593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C. Vary ◽  
Dominique Dardevet ◽  
Jean Grizard ◽  
Laure Voisin ◽  
Caroline Buffiere ◽  
...  

Skeletal muscle catabolism is a characteristic metabolic response to sepsis. We investigated the ability of physiological insulin (2 nM) or insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I, 10 nM) concentrations to modify protein metabolism during incubation of epitrochlearis 2, 6, or 15 days after injection of live Escherichia coli. On days 2 and 6 postinfection, skeletal muscle exhibited an exacerbated negative protein balance resulting from both an inhibition in protein synthesis (25%) and an enhanced proteolysis (90%) compared with controls. By day 15 postinfection, protein balance in infected rats was significantly improved compared with either day 2 or 6. At this time, protein synthesis was augmented and protein degradation was decreased in infected rats relative to day 6. Insulin or IGF-I stimulated protein synthesis in muscles from septic and control rats in vitro to the same extent at each time point examined. The ability of insulin or IGF-I to limit protein degradation was severely blunted 48 h after infection. On day 6 postinfection, the effect of insulin or IGF-I to inhibit proteolysis was more pronounced than on day 2. Incubation with IGF-I limited proteolysis to a greater extent than insulin on both days in infected but not control rats. By day 15, insulin diminished proteolysis to the same extent as in controls. The results suggest that injection of bacteria causes fundamental derangements in protein metabolism that persist for days after infection.


DICP ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 411-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen M. Teasley ◽  
Renee L. Buss

The critically ill, stressed patient has been characterized as having altered cellular metabolism. Altered protein metabolism is manifested as negative nitrogen balance, reduced whole-body protein synthesis, and increased proteolysis. An increased oxidation of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine, and valine has also been observed. Exogenous administration of BCAA as part of a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) regimen has been proposed to compensate for the altered protein metabolism in the stressed patient by sparing endogenous sources of BCAA, thereby reducing skeletal muscle catabolism and increasing protein synthesis. Numerous clinical studies have been performed investigating this theory. The results are controversial. Differences in study outcomes appear to be related to study design, especially patient selection. Our review of those studies which were randomized, prospective, and controlled indicates that an improvement in nitrogen retention and visceral protein status can be achieved in stress-stratified patients who receive a TPN regimen containing a BCAA-enriched formula. The significance of these outcomes on morbidity, length of hospital stay, and mortality has not been evaluated.


2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (2) ◽  
pp. E302-E312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill A. Bush ◽  
Douglas G. Burrin ◽  
Agus Suryawan ◽  
Pamela M. J. O'Connor ◽  
Hanh V. Nguyen ◽  
...  

To differentiate the effect of somatotropin (ST) treatment on protein metabolism in the hindquarter (HQ) and portal-drained viscera (PDV), growing swine ( n = 20) treated with ST (0 or 150 μg · kg−1 · day−1) for 7 days were infused intravenously with NaH13CO3 and [2H5]phenylalanine and enterally with [1-13C]phenylalanine while in the fed state. Arterial, portal venous, and vena cava whole blood samples, breath samples, and blood flow measurements were obtained for determination of tissue and whole body phenylalanine kinetics under steady-state conditions. In the fed state, ST treatment decreased whole body phenylalanine flux, oxidation, and protein degradation without altering protein synthesis, resulting in an improvement in whole body net protein balance. Blood flow to the HQ (+80%), but not to the PDV, was increased with ST treatment. In the HQ and PDV, ST increased phenylalanine uptake (+44 and +23%, respectively) and protein synthesis (+43 and +41%, respectively), with no effect on protein degradation. In ST-treated and control pigs, phenylalanine was oxidized in the PDV (34–43% of enteral and arterial sources) but not the HQ. In both treatment groups, dietary (40%) rather than arterial (10%) extraction of phenylalanine predominated in gut amino acid metabolism, whereas localized blood flow influenced HQ amino acid metabolism. The results indicate that ST increases protein anabolism in young, growing swine by increasing protein synthesis in the HQ and PDV, with no effect on protein degradation. Differing results between the whole body and the HQ and PDV suggest that the effect of ST treatment on protein metabolism is tissue specific.


2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (5) ◽  
pp. E978-E988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G. Whittaker ◽  
Choy H. Lee ◽  
Roy Taylor

The effects of pregnancy and type 1 diabetes [insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)] on protein metabolism are still uncertain. Therefore, six normal and five IDDM women were studied during and after pregnancy, using [13C]leucine and [2H5]phenylalanine with a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and amino acid infusion. Fasting total plasma amino acids were lower in pregnancy in normal but not IDDM women (2,631 ± 427 vs. 2,057 ± 471 and 2,523 ± 430 vs. 2,500 ± 440 μmol/l, respectively). Whole body protein breakdown (leucine) increased in pregnancy [change in normal (ΔN) and IDDM women (ΔD) 0.59 ± 0.40 and 0.48 ± 0.26 g · kg−1 · day−1, both P < 0.001], whereas reductions in protein breakdown due to insulin/amino acids (ΔN −0.57 ± 0.19, ΔD −0.58 ± 0.20 g · kg−1 · day−1, both P < 0.001) were unaffected by pregnancy. Protein breakdown in IDDM women was not higher than normal, and neither pregnancy nor type 1 diabetes altered the insulin sensitivity of amino acid turnover. Nonoxidized leucine disposal (protein synthesis) increased in pregnancy (ΔN 0.67 ± 0.45, ΔD 0.64 ± 0.34 g · kg−1 · day−1, both P < 0.001). Pregnancy reduced the response of phenylalanine hydroxylation to insulin/amino acids in both groups (ΔN −1.14 ± 0.74, ΔD −1.12 ± 0.77 g · kg−1 · day−1, both P < 0.05). These alterations may enable amino acid conservation for protein synthesis and accretion in late pregnancy. Well-controlled type 1 diabetes caused no abnormalities in the regulation of basal or stimulated protein metabolism.


1991 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Bates ◽  
J. M. Pell

The responses of dwarf mice to dietary administration of clenbuterol (3 mg/kg diet), daily injections of growth hormone (15 μg/mouse per d) or both treatments combined were investigated and their actions, and any interactions, on whole-body growth, composition and protein metabolism, and muscle, liver and heart growth and protein metabolism, were studied at days 0, 4 and 8 of treatment. Growth hormone, with or without clenbuterol, induced an increase in body-weight growth and tail length growth; clenbuterol alone did not affect body-weight or tail length. Both growth hormone and clenbuterol reduced the percentage of whole-body fat and increased the protein:fat ratio. They also increased protein synthesis rates of whole body and muscle, although the magnitude of the increase was greater in response to growth hormone than to clenbuterol. Clenbuterol specifically induced growth of muscle, with a decrease in liver protein content, whereas growth hormone exhibited more general anabolic effects on tissue protein. Previous reports have suggested that effects of clenbuterol on skeletal muscle are mediated, at least in part, via decreased rates of protein degradation; we could find little evidence of any decrease in whole-body or tissue protein degradation and anabolic effects were largely due to increases in protein synthesis rates. However, small increases in muscle protein degradation rate were observed in response to growth hormone. Growth hormone induced a progressive increase in serum insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration, whereas there was no change with clenbuterol administration. Anabolic effects on whole-body and skeletal muscle protein metabolism, therefore, appear to be initially via independent mechanisms but are finally mediated by a common response (increased protein synthesis) in dwarf mice.


Author(s):  
Jorn Trommelen ◽  
Andrew M. Holwerda ◽  
Philippe J. M. Pinckaers ◽  
Luc J. C. van Loon

All human tissues are in a constant state of remodelling, regulated by the balance between tissue protein synthesis and breakdown rates. It has been well-established that protein ingestion stimulates skeletal muscle and whole-body protein synthesis. Stable isotope-labelled amino acid methodologies are commonly applied to assess the various aspects of protein metabolism in vivo in human subjects. However, to achieve a more comprehensive assessment of post-prandial protein handling in vivo in human subjects, intravenous stable isotope-labelled amino acid infusions can be combined with the ingestion of intrinsically labelled protein and the collection of blood and muscle tissue samples. The combined application of ingesting intrinsically labelled protein with continuous intravenous stable isotope-labelled amino acid infusion allows the simultaneous assessment of protein digestion and amino acid absorption kinetics (e.g. release of dietary protein-derived amino acids into the circulation), whole-body protein metabolism (whole-body protein synthesis, breakdown and oxidation rates and net protein balance) and skeletal muscle metabolism (muscle protein fractional synthesis rates and dietary protein-derived amino acid incorporation into muscle protein). The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the various aspects of post-prandial protein handling and metabolism with a focus on insights obtained from studies that have applied intrinsically labelled protein under a variety of conditions in different populations.


1997 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. NEUTZE ◽  
J. M. GOODEN ◽  
V. H. ODDY

This study used an experimental model, described in a companion paper, to examine the effects of feed intake on protein turnover in the small intestine of lambs. Ten male castrate lambs (∼ 10 months old) were offered, via continuous feeders, either 400 (n = 5) or 1200 (n = 5) g/day lucerne chaff, and mean experimental liveweights were 28 and 33 kg respectively. All lambs were prepared with catheters in the cranial mesenteric vein (CMV), femoral artery (FA), jugular vein and abomasum, and a blood flow probe around the CMV. Cr-EDTA (0·139 mg Cr/ml, ∼ 0·2 ml/min) was infused abomasally for 24 h and L-[2,6-3H]phenylalanine (Phe) (420±9·35 μCi into the abomasum) and L-[U-14C]phenylalanine (49·6±3·59 μCi into the jugular vein) were also infused during the last 8 h. Blood from the CMV and FA was sampled during the isotope infusions. At the end of infusions, lambs were killed and tissue (n = 4) and digesta (n = 2) samples removed from the small intestine (SI) of each animal. Transfers of labelled and unlabelled Phe were measured between SI tissue, its lumen and blood, enabling both fractional and absolute rates of protein synthesis and gain to be estimated.Total SI mass increased significantly with feed intake (P < 0·05), although not on a liveweight basis. Fractional rates of protein gain in the SI tended to increase (P = 0·12) with feed intake; these rates were −16·2 (±13·7) and 23·3 (±15·2) % per day in lambs offered 400 and 1200 g/day respectively. Mean protein synthesis and fractional synthesis rates (FSR), calculated from the mean retention of 14C and 3H in SI tissue, were both positively affected by feed intake (0·01 < P < 0·05). The choice of free Phe pool for estimating precursor specific radioactivity (SRA) for protein synthesis had a major effect on FSR. Assuming that tissue free Phe SRA represented precursor SRA, mean FSR were 81 (±15) and 145 (±24) % per day in lambs offered 400 and 1200 g/day respectively. Corresponding estimates for free Phe SRA in the FA and CMV were 28 (±2·9) and 42 (±3·5) % per day on 400 g/day, and 61 (±2·9) and 94 (±6·0) on 1200 g/day. The correct value for protein synthesis was therefore in doubt, although indirect evidence suggested that blood SRA (either FA or CMV) may be closest to true precursor SRA. This evidence included (i) comparison with flooding dose estimates of FSR, (ii) comparison of 3H[ratio ]14C Phe SRA in free Phe pools with this ratio in SI protein, and (iii) the proportion of SI energy use associated with protein synthesis.Using the experimental model, the proportion of small intestinal protein synthesis exported was estimated as 0·13–0·27 (depending on the choice of precursor) and was unaffected by feed intake. The contribution of the small intestine to whole body protein synthesis tended to be higher in lambs offered 1200 g/day (0·21) than in those offered 400 g/day (0·13). The data obtained in this study suggested a role for the small intestine in modulating amino acid supply with changes in feed intake. At high intake (1200 g/day), the small intestine increases in mass and CMV uptake of amino acids is less than absorption from the lumen, while at low intake (400 g/day), this organ loses mass and CMV uptake of amino acids exceeds that absorbed. The implications of these findings are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 314 (5) ◽  
pp. E457-E467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorn Trommelen ◽  
Imre W. K. Kouw ◽  
Andrew M. Holwerda ◽  
Tim Snijders ◽  
Shona L. Halson ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of ingesting 30 g casein protein with and without 2 g free leucine before sleep on myofibrillar protein synthesis rates during postexercise overnight recovery. Thirty-six healthy young men performed a single bout of resistance-type exercise in the evening (1945) after a full day of dietary standardization. Thirty minutes before sleep (2330), subjects ingested 30 g intrinsically l-[1-13C]phenylalanine-labeled protein with (PRO+leu, n = 12) or without (PRO, n = 12) 2 g free leucine, or a noncaloric placebo (PLA, n = 12). Continuous intravenous l-[ ring-2H5]phenylalanine, l-[1-13C]leucine, and l-[ ring-2H2]tyrosine infusions were applied. Blood and muscle tissue samples were collected to assess whole body protein net balance, myofibrillar protein synthesis rates, and overnight incorporation of dietary protein-derived amino acids into myofibrillar protein. Protein ingestion before sleep improved overnight whole body protein net balance ( P < 0.001). Myofibrillar protein synthesis rates did not differ significantly between treatments as assessed by l-[ ring-2H5]phenylalanine (0.057 ± 0.002, 0.055 ± 0.002, and 0.055 ± 0.004%/h for PLA, PRO, and PRO+leu, respectively; means ± SE; P = 0.850) or l-[1-13C]leucine (0.080 ± 0.004, 0.073 ± 0.004, and 0.083 ± 0.006%/h, respectively; P = 0.328). Myofibrillar l-[1-13C]phenylalanine enrichments increased following protein ingestion but did not differ between the PRO and PRO+leu treatments. In conclusion, protein ingestion before sleep improves whole body protein net balance and provides amino acids that are incorporated into myofibrillar protein during sleep. However, the ingestion of 30 g casein protein with or without additional free leucine before sleep does not increase muscle protein synthesis rates during postexercise overnight recovery.


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