title: 3-methylbutanal metabolism in the adult rat.
abstract: 1. 3-Methylbutanal is a normal constituent of human plasma and is elevated in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Therefore these studies examined the possible source and site of synthesis of 3-methylbutanal and its effect on the central nervous system of adult rats. 2. 3-Methylbutanal was found to be a normal constituent of rat plasma and increased two to five times when leucine comprised 5% of the diet. Neomycin in the diet prevented the leucine-induced rise in plasma 3-methylbutanal. When this was injected at a dose of 120 mg/kg abnormal EEG patterns and sleep-like behaviour occurred, whereas smaller amounts (30 mg/kg) increased brain serotonin concentrations. 3. 3-Methylbutanal is a normal component of rat plasma: it may be derived in part from colonic bacterial breakdown of leucine and may influence central nervous system function. A possible relationship of 3-methylbutanal to the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy is suggested.
mesh_terms: D000447:Aldehydes / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009355:Neomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; C032251:isovalerylaldehyde; D014364:Tryptophan; D007930:Leucine; D009355:Neomycin