THE OXIDATION OF LEUCINE IN TUMOR-BEARING RATS

Rats bearing the Walker-256 carcinosarcoma showed significant changes in leucine metabolism compared with their non-tumour-bearing controls. After a single intravenous tracer dose of L-[-14C]leucine in vivo, 14CO2 release by tumour-bearing rats was significantly elevated throughout the time course of administration. In addition, both the clearance and turnover rates of the tracer were significantly enhanced in these animals. Incubation of soleus muscles from control and tumour-bearing rats in the presence of L-[1-14C]leucine revealed an enhanced oxidation of the amino acid in the tumour-bearing group. Tumour tissue slices were also able to oxidize the tracer at a similar rate to that found in soleus muscles from control animals.