title: Enteral branched-chain amino acids increase the specific activity of jejunal glutaminase and reduce jejunal atrophy.
abstract: Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA)-enriched nutrient solutions reduce gut atrophy associated with parenteral nutrition. We hypothesized that this effect was mediated by phosphate-dependent glutaminase. Thirty male Wistar rats (300-350 g) underwent a standardized surgical procedure and were then randomized into three groups to receive 6 days of ad libitum enteral nutrition. The animals were fed a solution of conventional nutrients, a solution of conventional nutrients enriched with 2.0% BCAA or a solution of conventional parenteral nutrients enriched with 2.5% glutamine. When compared with rats fed conventional nutrients, rats fed BCAA and glutamine had less jejunal atrophy (P < 0.05) and a greater specific activity of phosphate-dependent glutaminase in the jejunum (131%; P < 0.05). It is concluded that enteral BCAA reduce atrophy of the jejunum via the generation of glutamine.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, Australia.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: McCauley
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Heel
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy / Q000517:prevention & control; D005972:Glutaminase / Q000378:metabolism*; D005973:Glutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D005973:Glutamine; D005972:Glutaminase