Effects of Large Doses ofl-Leucine in Animals and Man

Abstract
Normal human subjects and dogs responded to l-leucine with hypoglycemia when it was given orally in a large enough dose (approximately 750 mg. per kg.). Rats, however, failed to respond at this dose level. The lowest level of blood sugar corresponded in time with the peak of the plasma alpha amino nitrogen concentration. Why some people are sensitive to leucine and will respond to a relatively small dose (150 mg. per kg.), while others require a much larger dose, is still unknown.