The effect of starvation on leucine, alanine and glucose metabolism in obese subjects

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Abstract
The relationship between changes in ketone concentrations and leucine metabolism (seven obese subjects), glucose and alanine metabolism (seven obese subjects) was investigated using radioisotopic techniques after 12 h, 60 h and 2 weeks starvation. Leucine metabolism was also measured in five lean subjects after 12 h and 60 h starvation. In the obese subjects leucine concentration increased after 60 h starvation and leucine metabolic clearance rate, glucose and alanine concentration decreased (P < 0.05). Glucose and alanine production rate (Ra) decreased after 2 weeks (P < 0.05) but there was no change in leucine Ra after 60 h or 2 weeks. In the lean subjects leucine concentration, production rate and oxidation rate were increased after 60 h (P < 0.005, P < 0.05, P < 0.05). Ketone concentration was inversely related to alanine Ra (r = -0.51, P < 0.02) but was not related to measurements of protein metabolism in the obese subjects. This study demonstrates that the effect of short-term starvation on protein metabolism differs in lean and obese subjects. The decrease in glucose Ra during long-term starvation may be in part due to a decreased supply of alanine for gluconeogenesis.