Utilization of alpha-ketoisocaproate for protein synthesis in uremic rats

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Kidney Int.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/ki.1986.269· OSTI ID:6863299

Tungsanga, K; Kang, C W; Walser, M

We have recently shown that the nutritional efficiency, R, of alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC) as a substitute for leucine, defined as the ratio of the dose of leucine to the dose of KIC (on a leucine-free diet) for equal growth, can be evaluated isotopically: /sup 14/C-KIC and /sup 3/H-leucine are administered p.o.; six hours later, /sup 14/C//sup 3/H in the leucine of whole body protein, divided by /sup 14/C//sup 3/H in the injectate, gives a value distinguishable from R assessed in the same animals by growth experiments. To see how chronic uremia affects R, 11/12 nephrectomized rats and sham-operated controls were fed a regular diet for 15 days and then given these isotopes p.o. Six hours later, R, measured in whole body protein, and in the protein of brain, heart, muscle, salivary gland, liver, and the kidney remnant was significantly greater than in sham-operated controls. The greatest difference (39%) was seen in liver protein and the smallest difference (19%) in muscle. Thus, chronic uremia increases the efficiency, relative to leucine, with which KIC is utilized for protein synthesis in all of these organs and in the body as a whole. Possible explanations are discussed.

• Research Organization: School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
• OSTI ID: 6863299
• Journal Information: Kidney Int.; (United States), Journal Name: Kidney Int.; (United States) Vol. 6; ISSN KDYIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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550901 -- Pathology-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMINO ACIDS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DISTRIBUTION
FUNCTIONS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPE RATIO
KETO ACIDS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LEUCINE
MAMMALS
MEDICINE
NEPHRECTOMY
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROTEINS
RATS
RODENTS
SURGERY
SYMPTOMS
SYNTHESIS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
UREMIA
VERTEBRATES