scholarly journals Utilizing Branched-chain Amino Acids for Increasing Shoot Density and Establishment Rate in Creeping Bentgrass

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-106
Author(s):  
Isaac T. Mertz ◽  
Nick E. Christians ◽  
Adam W. Thoms

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine (L), isoleucine (IL), and valine (V) are synthesized in plants and are essential to growth in most organisms. These compounds can be absorbed by the plant when foliarly applied, but plant catabolism of BCAA is not completely understood. A recent study observed that BCAA applied in a 2:1:1 or 4:1:1 ratio (L:IL:V) increased creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) shoot density compared with applications of equal urea nitrogen (N) at 3.03 lb/acre N. The present study investigated whether those increases could translate to a quicker establishment rate of creeping bentgrass grown from seed in standard greenhouse pots. The BCAA applications were compared with equal N applications using urea and a commercially available amino acid product. All N treatments were applied at 3.03 lb/acre N, per application and applied a total of four times on a 14-day interval starting 14 days after seeding. Measurements included final shoot density counts and root and shoot weights, as well as digital image analysis of percent green cover for each greenhouse pot every 7 days. No differences were observed after 70 days in shoot weight, or percent green cover between BCAA treatments and urea; however, BCAA 2:1:1 and 4:1:1 increased shoot density 21% and 30%, respectively, compared with urea, and were equal to the commercially available amino acid product. Applications of BCAA 4:1:1 also increased creeping bentgrass rooting weight by a factor of 7 compared with urea N.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 833-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac T. Mertz ◽  
Nick E. Christians ◽  
Adam W. Thoms

Amino acids have been reported to improve turfgrass growth compared with mineral nutrition; however, amino acid catabolism in plants has not been well studied. A number of turfgrass fertilizers contain amino acids; however, some amino acids may be more effective additives in fertilizers than others. Three amino acids that could be effective nitrogen sources for plant growth are the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). The BCAA leucine (L), isoleucine (IL), and valine (V) could be effective additives because they are nonpolar and hydrophobic, which can promote plant uptake of these compounds. Although the effect of exogenously applied BCAA on plant growth is not well known, BCAAs have been reported to increase protein synthesis in humans, and that rate of increase is related to the intake ratio of L to IL and V. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of L, IL, and V as a nitrogen sources on creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and to investigate the effect of BCAAs on plant growth when all three are applied as a combination. Using specially made rooting tubes, L, IL, and V were applied in a complete factorial and compared with equal urea nitrogen at four rates, as well as an untreated control. Where all three BCAAs were applied in combination, the application ratios of 2:1:1 and 4:1:1 (L:IL:V) were tested. At 63 days after seeding, there were no differences in root length, root weight, or shoot weight; however, BCAA 2:1:1 and 4:1:1 increased creeping bentgrass shoot density by 24% and 32%, respectively, compared with equal urea nitrogen. Where shoot density was increased, nitrogen application rate had no effect. On the basis of these results, BCAAs applied in a complete combination using ratios of 2:1:1 or 4:1:1 (3.03 lb/acre N) will provide a greater creeping bentgrass shoot density compared with equal urea nitrogen.


1986 ◽  
Vol 250 (4) ◽  
pp. E407-E413 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Gelfand ◽  
M. G. Glickman ◽  
R. Jacob ◽  
R. S. Sherwin ◽  
R. A. DeFronzo

To compare the contributions of splanchnic and skeletal muscle tissues to the disposal of intravenously administered amino acids, regional amino acid exchange was measured across the splanchnic bed and leg in 11 normal volunteers. Postabsorptively, net release of amino acids by leg (largely alanine and glutamine) was complemented by the net splanchnic uptake of amino acids. Amino acid infusion via peripheral vein (0.2 g X kg-1 X h-1) caused a doubling of plasma insulin and glucagon levels and a threefold rise in blood amino acid concentrations. Both splanchnic and leg tissues showed significant uptake of infused amino acids. Splanchnic tissues accounted for approximately 70% of the total body amino acid nitrogen disposal; splanchnic uptake was greatest for the glucogenic amino acids but also included significant quantities of branched-chain amino acids. In contrast, leg amino acid uptake was dominated by the branched-chain amino acids. Based on the measured leg balance, body skeletal muscle was estimated to remove approximately 25-30% of the total infused amino acid load and approximately 65-70% of the infused branched-chain amino acids. Amino acid infusion significantly stimulated both the leg efflux and the splanchnic uptake of glutamine (not contained in the infusate). We conclude that when amino acids are infused peripherally in normal humans, splanchnic viscera (liver and gut) are the major sites of amino acid disposal.


1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (2) ◽  
pp. E151-E158 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. Brosnan ◽  
K. C. Man ◽  
D. E. Hall ◽  
S. A. Colbourne ◽  
M. E. Brosnan

Amino acid concentrations in whole blood, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, and brain were measured and arteriovenous differences calculated for head, hindlimb, kidney, gut, and liver in control and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. In the control rats, glutamine was released by muscle and utilized by intestine, intestine released citrulline and alanine, liver removed alanine, and the kidneys removed glycine and produced serine. In diabetic rats, the major changes from the pattern of fluxes seen in the normal rat were the release of many amino acids from muscle, with glutamine and alanine predominating, and the uptake of these amino acids by the liver. Glutamine removal by the intestine was suppressed in diabetes, but a large renal uptake of glutamine was evident. Branched-chain amino acids were removed by the diabetic brain, and consequently, brain levels of a number of large neutral amino acids were decreased in diabetes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Shimada ◽  
Isao Matsui ◽  
Kazunori Inoue ◽  
Ayumi Matsumoto ◽  
Seiichi Yasuda ◽  
...  

Abstract Dietary phosphate intake is closely correlated with protein intake. However, the effects of the latter on phosphate-induced organ injuries remain uncertain. Herein, we investigated the effects of low (10.8%), moderate (23.0%), and high (35.2%) dietary casein and egg albumin administration on phosphate-induced organ injuries in rats. The moderate and high casein levels suppressed renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis and maintained mitochondrial integrity in the kidney. The serum creatinine levels were suppressed only in the high casein group. Phosphate-induced muscle weakness was also ameliorated by high dietary casein. The urinary and fecal phosphate levels in the early experiment stage showed that dietary casein did not affect phosphate absorption from the intestine. High dietary egg albumin showed similar kidney protective effects, while the egg albumin effects on muscle weakness were only marginally significant. As the plasma branched-chain amino acid levels were elevated in casein- and egg albumin-fed rats, we analyzed their effects. Dietary supplementation of 10% branched-chain amino acids suppressed phosphate-induced kidney injury and muscle weakness. Although dietary protein restriction is recommended in cases of chronic kidney disease, our findings indicate that the dietary casein, egg albumin, and branched-chain amino acid effects might be reconsidered in the era of a phosphate-enriched diet.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 153-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Kazandjieva ◽  
Dimitrina Guleva ◽  
Assia Nikolova ◽  
Sonya Márina

Abstract Leucinosis (maple syrup urine disease - MSUD) is an inherited aminoacidopathy and organic aciduria caused by severe enzyme defect in the metabolic pathway of amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. The classical variant of the disease is characterized by accumulation of both amino and α-keto acids, particulary the most toxic rapid elevation of circulating leucine and its ketoacid, α-ketoisocaproate, which cause encephalopathy and life-threatening brain swelling. However, patients with the most severe form, classical maple syrup urine disease, may appear normal at birth, but develop acute metabolic decompensation within the first weeks of life with typical symptoms: poor feeding, vomiting, poor weight gain, somnolence and burnt sugar-smelling urine, reminiscent of maple syrup. Early diagnosis and dietary intervention improve the patient’s condition, prevent severe complications, and may allow normal intellectual development. We present a 4-month old infant with leucinosis dignosed 3 months earlier, due to elevated levels of amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine. The patient was full-term neonate with an uncomplecated delivery, without any family history of metabolic disorder or consanguinity. The infant was referred to a dermatologist, because of maculopapular exanthema on the scalp, trunk, upper and lower extremities, and exfoliative dermatitis of the perioral, particularly anogenital regions, associated with diarrhea. Skin involvement was associated with poor general condition of the infant exhibiting severe hypotension, anemic syndrome, dyspepsia and neurological symptoms. Exanthema developed a few days after the initiation of nutritional therapy for MSUD: isoleucine-, leucine-, and valine-free powdered medical food (MSUD-2) supplemented with iron. Zink levels were within normal ranges. Rapid skin improvement occurred after adequate branched-chain amino acids supplementation was commenced under regular laboratory control (normal zinc serum level with deficiencies of leucine and valine), skin hygiene with antiseptics, emollients and low potent topical corticosteroids. Treatment of acute metabolic decompensation and dietary restriction of branched-chain amino acids are the main aspects in the management of maple syrup urine disease. Common findings in patients with MSUD include: plasma amino acid imbalance, particularly of essential amino acids, failure to thrive attributed to restriction of particular precursor amino acids and natural proteins, micronutrient deficiencies or higher energy requirement due to chronic illness or inflammation. Due to low intake of branched-chain amino acids, some patients develop skin lesions known as acrodermatitis enteropathica-like syndrome. Here we report a case of an infant who developed acrodermatitis enteropathica-like skin eruptions due to branched-chain amino acid deficiency during treatment of maple syrup urine disease. According to available world literature, this is the first report of acrodermatitis enteropathica-like syndrome in an infant with maple syrup urine disease (leucinosis) in the Republic of Bulgaria.


1988 ◽  
Vol 254 (2) ◽  
pp. 579-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
P J Garlick ◽  
I Grant

Rates of muscle protein synthesis were measured in vivo in tissues of post-absorptive young rats that were given intravenous infusions of various combinations of insulin and amino acids. In the absence of amino acid infusion, there was a steady rise in muscle protein synthesis with plasma insulin concentration up to 158 mu units/ml, but when a complete amino acids mixtures was included maximal rates were obtained at 20 mu units/ml. The effect of the complete mixture could be reproduced by a mixture of essential amino acids or of branched-chain amino acids, but not by a non-essential mixture, alanine, methionine or glutamine. It is concluded that amino acids, particularly the branched-chain ones, increase the sensitivity of muscle protein synthesis to insulin.


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