INVIVO DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TURNOVER RATES OF LEUCINE AND LEUCINE KETOACID IN STABLE CIRRHOSIS

Based on urinary nitrogen excretion, previous studies have indicated increased protein breakdown rates in cirrhosis. However, studies using [1-13C]leucine infusion methodology have found normal protein breakdown rates. Because abnormal partitioning between extracellular and intracellular leucine exists in cirrhosis, plasma enrichment of leucine's keto acid (KIC), a marker of intracellular leucine, may more accurately reflect protein metabolism than plasma [1-13C]leucine enrichment. Therefore, protein breakdown and oxidation were calculated using both [1-13C]leucine and [1-13C]KIC and compared with urinary nitrogen excretion in seven cirrhotics and seven matched controls after an overnight fast. The ratio of KIC and leucine plasma enrichment was decreased (P < 0.001) in cirrhosis because of lower KIC enrichment (P < 0.006). Cirrhotics had increased rates of protein breakdown (P < 0.006) and protein oxidation (P < 0.05) based on KIC (P < 0.006) but not leucine enrichment. In controls, protein oxidation calculated from urinary nitrogen excretion did not differ from KIC results (0.88 ± 0.08 vs. 0.83 ± 0.06) but was higher than the leucine method (0.88 ± 0.08 vs. 0.73 ± 0.05; P < 0.01). However, in cirrhotics protein oxidation based on urinary nitrogen was lower than the KIC methodology (P < 0.01). Therefore, cirrhotics have accelerated rates of protein breakdown and oxidation associated with increased extrarenal nitrogen loss. Furthermore, these results suggest abnormal leucine transport across cell membranes. © 1992.