title: Effect of alcohol on blood levels of branched-chain alpha-keto acids in male Wistar rats.
abstract: The effect of oral alcohol administration on branched-chain alpha-keto acids was studied in Wistar rats. Rats were divided into alcohol loading groups 1 (ethanol single daily dose: 2.5 g/kg body wt for 14 days) and 2 (ethanol dose: 5 g/kg body wt), and a pair-fed control group (isocaloric glucose and food equal to the amount taken by group 1 the previous day). Branched-chain alpha-keto acids, other alpha-keto acids and amino acids were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results showed a significant body weight increase in the alcohol loading groups. Concentrations of branched-chain amino acids and keto acids were significantly increased in the alcohol-treated groups. The blood levels of methionine, threonine, alanine and glutamic acid were also increased by alcohol administration. Blood levels of taurine and ornithine, however, showed a significant decrease in the alcohol-treated groups. These results show that alcohol increases the blood levels of branched-chain keto acids and branched-chain amino acids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Dominicus
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Todoriki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ariizumi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akamatsu
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood*; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D007651:Keto Acids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D007651:Keto Acids