Therapy with Branched Chain Amino Acids and Keto Acids in Chronic Uremia

Author(s):  
J. Bergstr�m ◽  
A. Alvestrand
Hepatology ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 324-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Base ◽  
Carl Barsigian ◽  
Alisa Schaeffer ◽  
Ellen Shaw ◽  
Jose Martinez ◽  
...  

1978 ◽  
Vol 235 (1) ◽  
pp. E47
Author(s):  
W E Mitch ◽  
W Chan

Isolated rat kidney perfused without substrate released serine, glycine, and taurine, and substantially smaller amounts of other amino acids. When branched-chain keto acids were added, the corresponding amino acids were released at rates amounting to 15-25% of keto acid disappearance. Perfusion with 2 mM alpha-keto-isovalerate or alpha-keto-beta-methylvalerate caused an increased glucose release amounting to 18-23% of keto acid disappearance. The activity of branched-chain amino acid transferase (BATase) was significantly stimulated by perfusion with the analogue of leucine, but not by perfusion with alpha-ketoglutarate, the analogues of valine or isoleucine, or with leucine itself. These findings document that the kidney converts branched-chain keto acids in part to the corresponding amino acids and suggest that the keto analogue of leucine may be involved in the control of renal BATase activity, thereby indirectly regulating the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids.


1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (9) ◽  
pp. 2889-2894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunapuli T. Madhusudhan ◽  
Jinhe Luo ◽  
John R. Sokatch

ABSTRACT BkdR is the transcriptional activator of the bkdoperon, which encodes the four proteins of the branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Pseudomonas putida. In this study, hydroxyl radical footprinting revealed that BkdR bound to only one face of DNA over the same region identified in DNase I protection assays. Deletions of even a few bases in the 5′ region of the BkdR-binding site greatly reduced transcription, confirming that the entire protected region is necessary for transcription. In vitro transcription of the bkd operon was obtained by using a vector containing the bkdR-bkdA1 intergenic region plus the putative ρ-independent terminator of the bkdoperon. Substrate DNA, BkdR, and any of thel-branched-chain amino acids or d-leucine was required for transcription. Branched-chain keto acids,d-valine, and d-isoleucine did not promote transcription. Therefore, the l-branched-chain amino acids and d-leucine are the inducers of the bkdoperon. The concentration of l-valine required for half-maximal transcription was 2.8 mM, which is similar to that needed to cause half-maximal proteolysis due to a conformational change in BkdR. A model for transcriptional activation of the bkdoperon by BkdR during enzyme induction which incorporates these results is presented.


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1011-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICHARD J. EARLY ◽  
JAMES R. THOMPSON ◽  
ROBERT J. CHRISTOPHERSON ◽  
GARY W. SEDGWICK

In the first of two experiments, whole blood branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) and plasma branched-chain α-keto acid (BCKA) concentrations in jugular venous blood were determined in cattle and sheep before and during a 6-d fast. In cattle, concentrations of valine, isoleucine, α-ketoisovalerate (KIV) and α-ketomethylvalerate (KMV) remained unchanged whereas leucine and α-ketoisocaproate (KTC) increased (P < 0.05) during fasting. In sheep, only KIV and KMV remained unchanged whereas BCAA and KIC increased (P < 0.05) during fasting. In a second experiment on cattle chronically catheterized to measure BCAA and BCKA exchange across the portal-drained viscera (PDV) and hindlimb (HL), the PDV added and the HL removed BCAA from the blood of fed cattle. The opposite exchange occurred after a 6-d fast. Releases of BCKA from the PDV and HL in both fed and fasted states were small compared to BCAA exchanges. The data suggest that blood BCAA but not BCKA concentrations may respond differently to starvation in sheep versus cattle and that in cattle the PDV and HL do not release appreciable amounts of BCKA relative to the net movements of the BCAA. Key words: Portal-drained viscera, hind limb, branched-chain amino acids, branched-chain α-keto acids, fasting, ruminants


Metabolites ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Holeček

In hyperammonemic states, such as liver cirrhosis, urea cycle disorders, and strenuous exercise, the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs; leucine, isoleucine, and valine) is activated and BCAA concentrations decrease. In these conditions, BCAAs are recommended to improve mental functions, protein balance, and muscle performance. However, clinical trials have not demonstrated significant benefits of BCAA-containing supplements. It is hypothesized that, under hyperammonemic conditions, enhanced glutamine availability and decreased BCAA levels facilitate the amination of branched-chain keto acids (BCKAs; α-ketoisocaproate, α-keto-β-methylvalerate, and α-ketoisovalerate) to the corresponding BCAAs, and that BCKA supplementation may offer advantages over BCAAs. Studies examining the effects of ketoanalogues of amino acids have provided proof that subjects with hyperammonemia can effectively synthesize BCAAs from BCKAs. Unfortunately, the benefits of BCKA administration have not been clearly confirmed. The shortcoming of most reports is the use of mixtures intended for patients with renal insufficiency, which might be detrimental for patients with liver injury. It is concluded that (i) BCKA administration may decrease ammonia production, attenuate cataplerosis, correct amino acid imbalance, and improve protein balance and (ii) studies specifically investigating the effects of BCKA, without the interference of other ketoanalogues, are needed to complete the information essential for decisions regarding their suitability in hyperammonemic conditions.


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