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PubMedDate not supplied

In vivo biliary function in the adult rat: the effect of parenteral glucose and amino acids.

Parenteral glucose and glucose-amino acid mixtures are used in the nutritional support of infants, children, and adults when enteral feedings are precluded for any reason. During the first week of such nutritional support, the total energy intakes are generally low and glucose and electrolytes are the only nutrients provided. To assess the effects of such "hypocaloric" regimens, we determined the hepatic responses to parenteral infusions of either glucose or glucose-amino acid mixtures in rats. Further, to illustrate the magnitude of these changes in comparison to normally fed animals, we included a group of sham-operated, chow-fed rats. Bile flow, biliary bile acid output, bile osmolarity, serum bile acids, and plasma amino acids were measured in adult rats following 5 days of the respective dietary regimens. Liver histology was also assessed. Bile acid output, but not bile flow, was significantly decreased by the infusion of glucose compared to glucose-amino acid mixtures. However, in comparison to the chow-fed rats, bile acid output was significantly reduced in both groups of parenterally fed animals, whereas bile flow was significantly reduced only in the glucose-infused animals. Plasma amino acids were markedly different between the groups; concentrations of essential amino acids were greater in the glucose-amino acid infused animals than in the glucose infused animals. Nonessential gluconeogenic amino acids were significantly higher in the glucose-infused animals compared to the other groups; plasma valine was significantly lower in the glucose-infused animals reflecting the lack of protein intake. Liver histology was markedly abnormal in all of the glucose-infused animals, whereas only half the glucose-amino acid infused animals had abnormal pathology.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1977

[Studies on the metabolism of parenterally infused amino acids in healthy adults].

We studied the metabolic kinetics after short-time infusion of a 10% standardised L-amino-acid-mixture in 19 healthy adults. The following results were of special interest: 1. Nearly all amino-acids had half life times between 7 and 10 minutes. 2. The male adults showed averagely higher clearance and transfer rates in contrast to female. There was a statistical difference for serine and alanine in the transfer rates, for serine, methionine and glycine in the clearance. 3. The maximum of daily turnover could be calculated for about 5,6 g/kg body weight. Based on the measured transfer rates we discuss the composition of some standardised L-amino-acid-mixtures.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Liver protein synthesis and catabolism in mirex-pretreated rats with enlarging livers.

Incorporation and retention of [14C]amino acids in protein were studied in rats with enlarging livers. Rats were injected (i.v.) with 20 mg of mirex per kg b. wt. to stimulate liver enlargement with a concomitant and proportional increase in liver total protein. Eighteen hours later, mirex-pretreated and control rats received an i.p. dose of a L-[14C]amino acid mixture and were killed at predetermination intervals up to 48 hr. Mirex-pretreated rats incorporated [14C]amino acids into liver protein at the same rate as controls, but retained more of the radiolabeled amino acids in liver protein for a longer time. In a second experiment, (14C]bicarbonate was substituted for the amino acid mixture to determine whether differences in [14C]amino acid retention were due to reutilization or mobilization. The change in protein metabolism, which leads to an almost 2-fold increase in liver total protein within 66 hr, appears to be due to a decrease in the quantity of protein catabolized per unit time rather than an increase in the rate of protein synthesized.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Bone mineral density in patients with phenylketonuria.

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed in 44 patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) aged 6-29 y. The phenylalanine-restricted diet was based on a low-protein diet in combination with phenylalanine-free amino acid mixtures and phenylalanine-low casein hydrolysate in 32 patients. The 10 oldest patients were supplemented only with casein hydrolysate, and the youngest child received only the amino acid mixture. One patient has recently come off the diet. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and total BMD were measured and expressed as Z-score, i.e. the difference between the BMD of the patient and the average BMD of sex- and age-matched controls divided by the standard deviation of the control group. Normal BMD was found in 24 (54%) patients. Lumbar spine BMD was decreased in 20 patients and total BMD was decreased in 14 patients. Z-scores of -1to 2.5 were found in 14 patients (32%) and Z-scores of <-2.5 in 6 patients (14%). No significant correlation was found between total or lumbar spine BMD and daily intake of phenylalanine from natural sources in the low-protein diet or the amount of phenylalanine-free amino acid mixtures per kg of body weight. A significant negative correlation was observed between both total and lumbar spine BMD Z-scores and the amount of casein hydrolysate supplementation per kg of body weight (r = - 0.45; y = 0.07 - 0.69x; p < 0.01). Long-lasting dietary restriction in patients with PKU may increase the risk of late complications of dietary therapy, such as osteoporosis or trace element deficiency. O Bone mineral density, osteoporosis, phenylalanine-low diet, phenylketonuria

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2001

In vitro selection of membrane-spanning leucine zipper protein-protein interaction motifs using POSSYCCAT.

A membrane-spanning heptad repeat motif mediates interaction between transmembrane segments. This motif was randomized with three different sets of mostly hydrophobic residues in the context of POSSYCCAT, a modified ToxR transcription activator system. The resulting combinatorial libraries were subjected to different levels of selective pressure to obtain groups of transmembrane segments that are distinguished by their ability to self-interact in bacterial membranes. Upon relating self-interaction to amino acid composition, the following conclusions were made. First, randomization with only Leu, Ile, Val, Met, and Phe resulted in unexpected robust self-interaction with little sequence specificity. Second, with more complex amino acid mixtures that represent natural transmembrane segments more closely, self-interaction critically depended on amino acid composition of the interface. Whereas the contents of Ile and Leu residues increased with the ability to self-interact, the contents of Pro and Arg residues decreased. Third, heptad repeat motifs composed of Leu, Ile, Val, Met, and Phe were approximately 40-fold over-represented in transmembrane segments of single-span membrane proteins as compared with motifs composed of the more complex amino acid mixtures. This suggests that heptad motifs composed of the smaller subset of amino acids were enriched in the course of natural single-span membrane protein evolution.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PubMed1998

Limiting order of amino acids in a low-protein corn-soybean meal-whey-based diet for nursery pigs.

Three trials were carried out with pigs between 5 and 8 wk of age to determine the limiting order of amino acids in a 13.5% CP corn-soybean meal-based diet containing 8% dried whey. The positive-control diet was a 19.2% CP corn-soybean meal-based diet (1.15% lysine), also with 8% dried whey. Amino acid additions to the low-protein, negative-control diet were based on levels needed to accomplish 110% of ideal ratios (to lysine, set at 1.15%). In Exp. 1, the addition of an amino acid mixture containing Lys, Trp, Thr, Met, Ile, and Val to the low-protein diet increased (P<.05) gain and gain: feed ratio, and these response traits were not different from those of pigs fed the 19.2% CP positive-control diet. Single deletion of Lys from the supplemental amino acid mixture depressed performance to a greater (P<.05) extent than single deletion of any of the other amino acids. Single deletions of Trp, Thr, Met, or Val decreased (P<.05) performance in a similar but lesser magnitude than the decrease caused by Lys deletion, whereas Ile deletion was without effect. Experiments 2 and 3 were designed to evaluate the limiting order of AA beyond Lys in the low-protein diet. Neither His nor Glu were found to be deficient, and, as in Exp. 1, deletion of Trp, Thr, Met, or Val from the supplemental amino acid mixture resulted in performance depressions (P<.05) that were similar. The results suggest that Lys is first-limiting and Trp, Thr, Met, and Val are equally second-limiting in a reduced protein (13.5% CP) corn-soybean meal-based diet with 8% whey for 10-kg pigs.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1999

Influence of acute tryptophan depletion on mood and immune measures in healthy males.

Depressive illness has been associated with variations of several aspects of immune functioning, as well as alterations of cytokine production in stimulated lymphocytes. In the present investigation we sought to determine whether pharmacologically-induced reductions of mood in healthy, male subjects would be associated with alterations in the levels of circulating IL-1 beta or IL-6 or to in vitro lymphocyte proliferation in response to T cell mitogens, PHA and Con A. Lowering tryptophan levels by means of a tryptophan-deficient amino acid mixture, which reduced plasma tryptophan and serotonin (5-HT) levels, produced a lowering of mood in a subset of male subjects (that had no personal or family history of depression) relative to subjects that received a balanced amino acid mixture. Correlational analyses revealed that the change of mood (particularly depression and anger) in subjects that received the tryptophan-free mixture was related to the extent of the tryptophan or 5-HT reductions. However, while fenfluramine administration resulted in recovery of tryptophan and 5-HT levels, this was not accompanied by recovery of mood. Furthermore, it was observed that the lowering of tryptophan levels and the reduced mood were not accompanied by variations of the cytokine levels or cell proliferation. Evidently, transient and modest alterations of 5-HT or mood induced by a tryptophan-free amino acid mixture were insufficient to promote variations of immune activity or circulating IL-1 beta or IL-6 levels. Even if depression were related to immune disturbances, the mood and 5-HT alterations associated with this type of manipulation may be too brief to promote immune changes comparable with those ordinarily associated with severe or chronic depressive illness.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative evaluation of the quantitative utilization of parenterally and enterally administered leucine and L-[1-13C,15N]leucine within the whole body and the splanchnic region.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to quantify the kinetic aspects of leucine metabolism in the whole body and within the splanchnic region when an amino acid mixture is administered by the enteral route as compared with administration by the parenteral route. METHODS: Seven chronically catheterized dogs were studied during an intragastric infusion of L-[1-13C,15N]leucine with 0.24 g of complete amino acid mixture (kg-1.h-1) for 6 hours. The results are compared with those previously reported for nine dogs studied under essentially identical experimental conditions except that the tracer and amino acid mixtures were given by vein. RESULTS: At the whole body level, the various parameters of leucine metabolism (flux, oxidation, and disappearance into and release from proteins) were not significantly different among animals that were infused enterally and those that were infused parenterally. Leucine metabolism within the splanchnic region and gut was more extensive for enteral administration than for parenteral administration. For the splanchnic region, 31.4%, 27.9%, and 6.0% of enterally administered leucine was used for protein synthesis, deamination, and oxidization, respectively, compared with respective mean values of 19.5% (p < .001), 13.4% (p < .001), and 4.1% (p < .05) for parenterally administered leucine. For liver, 4.8% of enterally administered leucine was oxidized compared with 2.3% (p < .001) of parenterally administered leucine. These findings are qualitatively similar to those reported previously by us when comparing enteral and parenteral amino acid intakes but with an IV tracer infusion. CONCLUSION: Enteral administration seems to be more effective than an acute parenteral feeding regimen, at least in maintaining leucine (protein) balance in gut tissues.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1988

Changes in enzymatic activity of small intestine and kidney of rats by a methionine deficient diet.

The effect of methionine dietary deficiency on food intake, weight gain, liver and kidney weight, feed conversion rate, protein efficiency ratio, maltase and leucineaminopeptidase (LAPase) activities of the intestinal mucosa as well as renal LAPase activity was studied. Three groups of female Wistar rats, weighing between 40-60 g, were fed for 25 days on either Diet A (casein supplemented with 0.6% DL-methionine), Diet B (amino acid mixture simulating casein also supplemented with 0.6% methionine) or Diet C (amino acid mixture with 0.67% methionine deficiency with respect to Diet A). The results show no significant differences in either growth or enzymatic activity between the rats fed on Diet A and those on Diet B. The animals fed on Diet C show an increase in intestinal (P less than 0.01, vs Diet B) and renal (P less than 0.005, vs Diet A) LAPase activity, although intestinal maltase activity remained unchanged. Food intake, weight gain, organ weight and nutritional parameters obtained in rats fed on Diet C showed no statistically significant changes, with the exception of kidney weight which decreased (P less than 0.005) when compared to those fed on Diet B.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Biochemical homeostasis and body growth are reliable end points in clinical nutrition trials.

Studies of biochemical homeostasis and/or body growth have been included as outcome variables in most nutrition trials in paediatric patients. Moreover, these outcome variables have provided important insights into the nutrient requirements of infants and children, and continue to do so. Examples of the value of such studies in improving parenteral nutrition, in defining essential fatty acid metabolism and requirements of infants and in defining the protein and energy needs of low-birth-weight infants are discussed. Data from such studies have helped to define the mechanism of metabolic acidosis and hyperammonaemia associated with the use of early crystalline amino acid mixture and, hence, how to prevent these disorders. Such studies have allowed the development of parenteral amino acid mixtures that circumvent grossly abnormal plasma concentrations of most amino acids and appear to be utilized more efficiently. These studies have also helped define micronutrient requirements, including requirements for several such nutrients that had not been previously recognized as essential (e.g. Cr, Se, Mo, alpha-linolenic acid). Studies of body growth have been particularly valuable in defining the nutritional requirements of low-birth-weight infants. Finally, studies of metabolic homeostasis coupled with more sophisticated metabolic studies have provided considerable insight into the metabolism of the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3). Although such studies have not defined the amount of the longer-chain PUFA synthesized from each of these essential fatty acids, i.e. arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) and DHA (22:6n-3), they have shown that the rates of conversion are extremely variable from infant to infant, suggesting a possible explanation of why some studies show developmental advantages from intake of these fatty acids while others do not.

Energy Metabolism↗

PubMed1999

Luminal amino acids acutely decrease intestinal mucosal protein synthesis and protease mRNA in piglets.

Because parenteral feeding is associated with negative N balance and reduced rates of protein synthesis in intestinal mucosa, we hypothesized that luminal exposure to specific amino acids or energy fuels would stimulate intestinal protein synthesis. We studied the acute effects of luminal nutrients on mucosal protein synthesis in the absence of systemic influences. Multiple jejunal segments constructed in piglets deprived of food overnight (n = 6) were randomly assigned to luminal perfusion with saline, 30 mmol/L amino acid mixture with or without 50 mmol/L glucose, or 30 mmol/L glutamine for 90 min. Protein synthesis was then measured by luminal perfusion with L-[2,6-(3)H]-phenylalanine. Energy substrates (glucose, short-chain fatty acids or beta-hydroxybutyrate) had no effect on mucosal protein synthesis. Relative to saline, a 30 mmol/L amino acid mixture or 30 mmol/L glutamine suppressed mucosal protein synthesis by 20-25% (P < 0.05). On the basis of these surprising results, we speculated that a coordinate reduction of proteolytic processes would be required to maintain positive intestinal N balance. Although intestinal protein catabolism cannot be assessed directly, the 30 mmol/L amino acid mixture acutely suppressed mucosal levels of mRNA encoding ubiquitin, 14-kDa ubiquitin conjugating enzyme and the C9 subunit of the proteasome by 20-30% (P < 0.05), demonstrating the sensitivity of components of the ATP-ubiquitin proteolytic pathway to acute regulation by nutrients. The suppression of protein synthesis by luminal amino acids in the absorptive state might lower intestinal utilization of amino acids to ensure efficient allocation of absorbed nutrients to nonintestinal tissues.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2003

Effects of mating on oogenesis induced by amino acid infusion, amino acid feeding, or blood feeding in the mosquito Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae).

Hemocoel infusion of an amino acid mixture at a concentration of 7.5% and 10% (wt:vol) for 24 h rarely activated ovarian development in either mated or unmated females of Anopheles stephensi Liston. Infusion of either concentration mixture for 48 h into unmated females was also scarcely stimulatory, but the same 48 h infusion into mated females resulted in ovarian maturation in 25% (7.5% mixture) or in 78% (10% mixture) of the infused specimens. Similarly, feeding on an amino acid mixture (7.5%) containing sugar induced 44% ovarian maturation among mated females, while only 3% of unmated females showed matured oocytes. The increase of hemolymph amino acid concentration levels may be one of the essential factors for oogenesis of An. stephensi, and mating enhances ovarian development, especially in females ingesting poor meals. However, some additional factor(s) may be included for full development comparable to that induced by blood meals.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1968

Characterization of response of circulating glucagon to intraduodenal and intravenous administration of amino acids.

Studies were carried out to determine if hyperaminoacidemia stimulates the secretion of pancreatic glucagon, and, if so, to evaluate the effect of endogenous and exogenous pancreozymin and of hyperglycemia upon this response. The intravenous administration to 16 dogs of 1 g/kg of a 10 amino acid mixture over a 60 min period raised amino nitrogen to a mean level of 13.5 mg/100 ml; mean pancreaticoduodenal vein insulin rose from 84 to 459 muU/ml and glucagon from 1.1 to 2.7 mmug/ml. Further augmentation of both insulin and glucagon secretion was achieved during hyperaminoacidemia by infusing pancreozymin. Since endogenous pancreozymin is known to be stimulated by amino acids in the gut, it seemed possible that intraduodenal loading of amino acids would elicit a greater insulin and glucagon response than could be explained by the accompanying hyperaminoacidemia. The intraduodenal administration of 1 g/kg of the amino acid mixture was followed by substantial hyperinsulinemia and hyperglucagonemia, which frequently anticipated the hyperaminoacidemia, and in many of the dogs the ratio of hormone rise to amino nitrogen rise was greater after intraduodenal than after the intravenous route of amino acid administration in the same animal. Intraduodenal administration of amino acids did not cause measurable release of intestinal glucagon-like immunoreactivity into the mesenteric vein plasma. Hyperglycemia induced by constant glucose infusion prevented aminogenic hyperglucagonemia and even suppressed the augmenting action of pancreozymin; sudden termination of the infusion with continued amino acid infusion was associated with a striking rise in glucagon. It is concluded (a) that hyperaminoacidemia stimulates pancreatic glucagon secretion, (b) that aminogenic hyperglucagonemia is augmented by the infusion of pancreozymin, (c) that intraduodenal administration of amino acids stimulates pancreatic glucagon secretion without measurable release of glucagon-like immunoreactivity into the mesenteric vein, and (d) that hyperglycemia prevents aminogenic hyperglucagonemia even during augmentation with pancreozymin. This conclusion suggests that the prevention of hypoglycemia during amino acid-induced insulin secretion may be an important function of glucagon.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1991

Decrease in plasma tryptophan after a tryptophan-free amino acid solution. A comparison between cirrhotic and control subjects.

In healthy subjects the administration of an amino acid mixture devoid of tryptophan causes a marked decrease of plasma tryptophan. This is because amino acid mixtures induce protein synthesis and tryptophan in blood is incorporated into newly synthesized proteins. We hypothesized that a tryptophan-free mixture could differently affect plasma tryptophan levels in subjects with an impaired protein synthesis such as chronic liver patients. We studied tryptophan levels after a tryptophan-free amino acid solution in controls and cirrhotics fasting 12 hours. Plasma total tryptophan fell to 91% of the initial level 60 minutes after the administration of the diet, to 71% after 120, and to 50% after 210' in controls. In cirrhotics the solution caused a decrease of plasma tryptophan that began significantly later than in controls, the delay being proportional to the severity of the disease. Cirrhotics were subdivided into two groups in accordance to the Pugh modification of the Child-Turcotte criteria. Total plasma tryptophan was 100% of base line levels after 60', 88% after 120', and 65% after 210' in less severe clinical condition; total plasma tryptophan was 102% of base line levels after 60', 98% after 120', and 75% after 210' in more severe clinical condition.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Effect of dietary proteins and amino acid deficiencies on urinary excretion of nitrogen and the urea synthesizing system in rats.

A mechanism of regulation in urea biosynthesis under conditions of varying dietary protein quality was investigated in rats adapted to 10% protein diets. A reverse correlation was observed between activities of urea cycle enzymes and urinary excretion of urea under these conditions. The concentrations of several non-essential amino acids in livers of rats fed a 10% gluten diet significantly increased as compared with those of rats fed a 10% whole egg protein diet without change in ornithine concentration. The contents of threonine, serine and ornithine in livers of rats fed a methionine-free diet were higher than those of rats fed a basal diet. The capacity of urea synthesis in vivo of rats fed gluten or a methionine-free amino acid mixture was the same as that of rats fed whole egg protein or basal amino acid mixture. The results suggest that under conditions of varying dietary protein quality, the liver level of free amino acids may regulate mainly the rate of urea synthesis without changes in activities of urea cycle enzymes and that the concentrations of ornithine in addition to free amino acids in liver may play an important role in an increase of urea synthesis in the methionine-deficiency.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1996

Tryptophan depletion and aggressive responding in healthy males.

In order to study the effect of decreasing plasma tryptophan levels on aggressive responding in a controlled laboratory setting, we administered two doses (25 g and 100 g) of a tryptophan-free amino acid mixture to ten healthy male subjects after 24 h of a low tryptophan diet. Subjects were screened for current or past psychiatric, or non-psychiatric medical illness. Aggressive responding on a free-operant laboratory measure of aggression (the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm) and plasma tryptophan levels were measured before and after drinking the amino acid mixture. There was a significant increase in aggressive responding 5 h after the 100 g mixture and a significant increase in aggressive responding 6 h after the 25 g mixture compared to a baseline day when no drink was administered. There was also a significant decrease in plasma tryptophan at 5 hours after ingestion compared to baseline for both doses of amino acid mixture. This study supports the hypothesis that tryptophan depletion increases aggressive responding in healthy males in a laboratory setting, probably by decreasing brain serotonin.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Amino acid control of autophagic sequestration and protein degradation in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Sequestration of the inert cytosolic marker [14C]sucrose by sedimentable organelles was measured in isolated rat hepatocytes made transiently permeable to sucrose by means of electropermeabilization. Lysosomal integrity, protein degradation, autophagic sequestration, and other cellular functions were not significantly impaired by the electric treatment. Hepatocytes sequestered sucrose at an initial rate of approximately 10%/h, which is threefold higher than the estimated rate of autophagic-lysosomal protein degradation. Almost one-third would appear to represent mitochondrial fluid uptake; the rest was nearly completely and specifically inhibited by 3-methyladenine (3MA) and can be regarded as autophagic sequestration. A complete amino acid mixture was somewhat less inhibitory than 3MA, and partially antagonized the effect of the latter. This paradoxical effect, taken together with the high sequestration rate, may suggest heterogeneity as well as selectivity in autophagic sequestration. There was no detectable recycling of sequestered [14C]sucrose between organelles and cytosol. Studies of individual amino acids revealed histidine as the most effective sequestration inhibitor. Leucine may have a regulatory function, as indicated by its unique additive/synergistic effect, and a combination of Leu + His was as effective as the complete amino acid mixture. Asparagine inhibited sequestration only 20%, i.e., its very strong effect on overall (long-lived) protein degradation must partially be due to post-sequestrational inhibition. The lysosomal (amine-sensitive) degradation of short-lived protein was incompletely inhibited by 3MA, indicating a contribution from nonautophagic processes like crinophagy and endocytic membrane influx. The ability of an amino acid mixture to specifically antagonize the inhibition of short-lived protein degradation by AsN + GIN (but not by 3MA) may suggest complex amino acid interactions at the level of fusion between lysosomes and other vesicles in addition to the equally complex interactions at the level of autophagic sequestration.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed2005

Enhanced rate of ethanol elimination from blood after intravenous administration of amino acids compared with equicaloric glucose.

AIMS: To investigate the effect of an amino acid mixture given intravenously (i.v.) on the rate of ethanol elimination from blood compared with equicaloric glucose and Ringer's acetate as control treatments. METHODS: In a randomized cross-over study, six healthy men (mean age 23 years) fasted overnight before receiving either Ringer's acetate, glucose or the amino acid mixture (Vamin 18 g N/l) by constant rate i.v. infusion over 4.5 h. Ethanol (0.4 g/kg) was given by an i.v. infusion lasting 60 min during the time each of the treatments was administered. At various times post-infusion, blood samples were taken for determination of ethanol by headspace gas chromatography. Blood glucose and heart rate were monitored at regular intervals. Concentration-time profiles of ethanol were plotted for each subject and the rate of ethanol disappearance from blood as well as other pharmacokinetic parameters were compared by repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The rate of ethanol elimination from blood was increased significantly (P < 0.001) after treatment with amino acids (mean +/- SD, 0.174 +/- 0.011 g/l/h) compared with equicaloric glucose (0.121 +/- 0.016 g/l/h) or Ringer's acetate (0.110 +/- 0.013 g/l/h). Heart rate was also slightly higher during infusion of the amino acid mixture (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: When the rate of ethanol elimination from blood is relatively slow, such as after an overnight fast, it can be increased by approximately 60% after treatment with i.v. amino acids. The efficacy of amino acid treatment was not related to the supply of calories because glucose was no more effective than Ringer's acetate. We suggest that amino acids might increase hepatic oxygen consumption, resulting in a more effective conversion of NADH to NAD+ in mitochondria. An important feature of the experimental design was ensuring hepatic availability of amino acids during much of the time that ethanol was being metabolized.

Adult↗