Metabolism of branched-chain amino acids in rats with acute hepatic failure: a tracer study using 15N-leucine

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) was produced in rats with intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine. Control rats received only physiological saline. 15N-leucine (200 mg/kg of body weight) was injected into the rats via the tail vein. Arterial blood was drawn before and 5, 15, 30 and 60 min after the injection of 15N-leucine. 15N-amino acids were determined quantitatively by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The plasma 15N-leucine level decreased logarithmically in the same manner in both groups. This result suggests that leucine is mainly metabolized in extrahepatic tissues. The incorporation of 15N into plasma isoleucine and valine was not significantly different between the groups. Plasma alanine and glutamine concentrations increased in controls and decreased in FHF rates after the injection. The incorporation of 15N into plasma alanine in rats with FHF was significantly later than in controls. This result may suggest that undergoing hyperammonemia causes to form more glutamine from glutamate in extrahepatic sites as the same manner as for chronic hepatic failure. Additionally, insulin levels increased temporarily after the injection of leucine in both groups. This increase may play a role in the decrease in plasma isoleucine and valine concentrations after injection of leucine.