Leucine and protein metabolism in rats with chronic renal insufficiency

Authors: Hole ccaron ek M.¹; Scaron prongl L.²; Til scaron er I.³; Tichý M.⁴

Source: Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, Volume 53, Number 1, April 2001 , pp. 71-76(6)

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Abstract:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic uremia induced by 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6NX) on changes in protein and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA; valine, leucine and isoleucine) metabolism. The control group consisted of sham operated rats. Twenty eight weeks after surgery the parameters of protein and amino acid metabolism were evaluated using a primed constant intravenous infusion of L-[1-¹⁴C]leucine. A drop in BCAA levels and a significant increase in urea, creatinine and cholesterol were observed in plasma of all 5/6NX rats. However, severe uremia with acidosis developed only in one third of rats with 5/6NX. In 5/6NX rats with acidosis significant increases in proteolysis, leucine oxidation, leucine oxidized fraction, and leucine clearance were observed in comparison with the control group and rats with 5/6NX without acidosis. In addition, in 5/6NX rats with acidosis a significant decrease in valine concentration in gastrocnemius muscle was found. We conclude that marked activation of proteolysis occurs in severe chronic renal failure and is probably caused by metabolic changes related to acidosis development.

Keywords: Kidney; uremia; branched-chain amino acids; protein metabolism

Language: English

Document Type: Original article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1078/0940-2993-00171

Affiliations: 1: Departments of Physiology, Charles University School of Medicine, Hradec Kráové 2: University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic 3: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hradec Kráové 4: Departments of Medicine, Charles University School of Medicine, Hradec Kráové

Publication date: 2001-04-01