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Enteral branched‐chain amino acids increase the specific activity of jejunal glutaminase and reduce jejunal atrophy
Author(s) -
McCAULEY ROSALIE D,
HEEL KATHRYN A,
HALL JOHN C
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.1997.tb00461.x
Subject(s) - glutamine , parenteral nutrition , enteral administration , jejunum , medicine , glutaminase , nutrient , atrophy , endocrinology , amino acid , gastroenterology , biochemistry , biology , ecology
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.