NET BLOOD EXCHANGE OF BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO AND α-KETO ACIDS ACROSS THE PORTAL-DRAINED VISCERA AND HINDLIMB OF CATTLE DURING INFUSIONS OF LEUCINE AND INSULIN

Abstract
The effects of intra external iliac arterial infusions of leucine (114 μmol h−1 kg0.75) and insulin (0.34 U h−1 kg0.75) into the hindlimb on net whole blood branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), plasma branched-chain α-keto acid (BCKA) and glucose exchange across the hindlimb (HL) and portal-drained viscera (PDV) were investigated in chronically catheterized cattle. Leucine infusions increased (P < 0.05) arterial leucine and α-ketoisocaproate concentrations but did not affect the concentrations of other BCAA, BCKA or glucose. Leucine infusions resulted in a 4-fold increase (P < 0.1) in the net HL removal of leucine and a small increase (P < 0.1) in the net HL release of α-ketoisocaproate. Net whole blood BCAA, plasma BCKA and plasma glucose exchange across the PDV were unaffected by leucine infusions. Insulin infusions decreased (P < 0.1) whole blood leucine, plasma α-ketoisocaproate and plasma glucose concentrations and increased (P < 0.1) the HL extraction of plasma glucose. The HL and PDV extraction of whole blood BCAA and plasma BCKA were unaffected by insulin infusions. The data suggest that cattle are less sensitive to the effects of leucine and insulin on tissue BCAA catabolism compared to nonruminant species. Key words: Branched-chain amino acid, branched-chain α-keto acid, leucine, insulin, cattle