Biomaterial Database

Metabolism of amino acids in protein-calorie-deficient rats. 1969

I G McFarlane, and C Von Holt

The overall oxidative degradation of leucine and phenylalanine, measured in vivo in rats fed on a 2%-casein diet for 8 weeks, is markedly decreased as compared with controls, whereas that of glutamate and alanine is apparently unaffected. The decrease in leucine degradation is due, at least in part, to a block before the formation of 3-methylbutyryl-CoA (isovaleryl-CoA) in the catabolic pathway. This phenomenon is accompanied by increased incorporation of [(14)C]leucine into liver proteins, decreased urinary excretion of leucine and increased urinary excretion of 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate (alpha-oxoisocaproate) by protein-depleted animals. The results suggest the existence of adaptive mechanisms that function to conserve an indispensable carbon skeleton.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007930	Leucine	An essential branched-chain amino acid important for hemoglobin formation.	L-Leucine,Leucine, L-Isomer,L-Isomer Leucine,Leucine, L Isomer
D008099	Liver	A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances.	Livers
D010649	Phenylalanine	An essential aromatic amino acid that is a precursor of MELANIN; DOPAMINE; noradrenalin (NOREPINEPHRINE), and THYROXINE.	Endorphenyl,L-Phenylalanine,Phenylalanine, L-Isomer,L-Isomer Phenylalanine,Phenylalanine, L Isomer
D011488	Protein Deficiency	A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of proteins in the diet, characterized by adaptive enzyme changes in the liver, increase in amino acid synthetases, and diminution of urea formation, thus conserving nitrogen and reducing its loss in the urine. Growth, immune response, repair, and production of enzymes and hormones are all impaired in severe protein deficiency. Protein deficiency may also arise in the face of adequate protein intake if the protein is of poor quality (i.e., the content of one or more amino acids is inadequate and thus becomes the limiting factor in protein utilization). (From Merck Manual, 16th ed; Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 12th ed, p406)	Deficiency, Protein,Deficiencies, Protein,Protein Deficiencies
D002208	Caproates	Derivatives of caproic acid. Included under this heading are a broad variety of acid forms, salts, esters, and amides that contain a carboxy terminated six carbon aliphatic structure.	Hexanoates,Caproic Acid Derivatives,Caproic Acids,Hexanoic Acid Derivatives,Hexanoic Acids,Acid Derivatives, Caproic,Acid Derivatives, Hexanoic,Acids, Caproic,Acids, Hexanoic,Derivatives, Caproic Acid,Derivatives, Hexanoic Acid
D002247	Carbon Isotopes	Stable carbon atoms that have the same atomic number as the element carbon but differ in atomic weight. C-13 is a stable carbon isotope.	Carbon Isotope,Isotope, Carbon,Isotopes, Carbon
D002364	Caseins	A mixture of related phosphoproteins occurring in milk and cheese. The group is characterized as one of the most nutritive milk proteins, containing all of the common amino acids and rich in the essential ones.	alpha-Casein,gamma-Casein,AD beta-Casein,Acetylated, Dephosphorylated beta-Casein,Casein,Casein A,K-Casein,Sodium Caseinate,alpha(S1)-Casein,alpha(S1)-Casein A,alpha(S1)-Casein B,alpha(S1)-Casein C,alpha(S2)-Casein,alpha-Caseins,beta-Casein,beta-Caseins,epsilon-Casein,gamma-Caseins,kappa-Casein,kappa-Caseins,AD beta Casein,Caseinate, Sodium,K Casein,alpha Casein,alpha Caseins,beta Casein,beta Caseins,beta-Casein Acetylated, Dephosphorylated,beta-Casein, AD,epsilon Casein,gamma Casein,gamma Caseins,kappa Casein,kappa Caseins
D003065	Coenzyme A		CoA,CoASH
D003677	Deficiency Diseases	A condition produced by dietary or metabolic deficiency. The term includes all diseases caused by an insufficient supply of essential nutrients, i.e., protein (or amino acids), vitamins, and minerals. It also includes an inadequacy of calories. (From Dorland, 27th ed; Stedman, 25th ed)	Deficiency Disease,Disease, Deficiency,Diseases, Deficiency
D005971	Glutamates	Derivatives of GLUTAMIC ACID. Included under this heading are a broad variety of acid forms, salts, esters, and amides that contain the 2-aminopentanedioic acid structure.	Glutamic Acid Derivatives,Glutamic Acids,Glutaminic Acids