Leucine supplementation has an anabolic effect on proteins in rabbit skin wound and muscle.
We investigated the effect of leucine supplementation on protein metabolism in skin wounds and muscle in anesthetized rabbits. l-[ring-(13)C(6)]phenylalanine was infused on d 7 after the ear was scalded, and the scalded ear and uninjured hindlimb were used as arteriovenous units to reflect protein kinetics in skin wounds and muscle. In comparison with a commercially available amino acid solution (10% Travasol), isonitrogenous [1638 micromol/(kg . h)] infusion of the amino acid solution with supplemental leucine to account for 35% of total nitrogen increased the net phenylalanine balance (P < 0.05) in the skin wound and muscle from -6.7 +/- 6.1 to 0.9 +/- 1.4 and from -4.4 +/- 2.4 to -1.0 +/- 0.4 micromol/(100 g . h), respectively. Infusion of leucine alone did not significantly improve the net phenylalanine balance in either skin wounds [-4.0 +/- 4.6 micromol/(100 g . h)] or muscle [-2.7 +/- 0.7 micromol/(100 g . h)]. We conclude that leucine supplementation had an anabolic effect on proteins in skin wounds and muscle, provided that adequate additional amino acids were also available.
Zhang
Xiao-Jun
XJ
Metabolism Unit, Shriners Hospital for Children, Galveston, TX 77550, USA.
Chinkes
David L
DL
Wolfe
Robert R
RR
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D007930:Leucine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000378:metabolism*
D000596:Amino Acids; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D007930:Leucine