INVITRO EFFECT OF BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO-ACIDS ON THE RIBOSOMAL CYCLE IN MUSCLES OF FASTED RATS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 11  (4) , 289-292
Abstract
The effect of a single i.p. injection of branched chain amino acids on ribosomal profiles of psoas muscles was studied in rats after 48-96 h fast. Experimental and control animals received glucose and insulin 1-2 h before killing. The ratio of polysomes to subunits and monomers decreased progressively during the fast. The administration of the 3 branched chain amino acids together or Leu alone significantly increased the proportion of polysomes. This effect was not observed in rats fed ad lib. The branched chain amino acids and specifically Leu may be required for the full protein anabolic response of muscles to insulin during a prolonged fast.