• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.228-235
• /
• 2021

The amino acids found in plants play important roles in protein biosynthesis, signaling processes, and stress responses, and as components in other biosynthesis pathways. Amino acid degradation helps maintain plant cells' energy states under certain carbon starvation conditions. Branched-chain amino acid transferases (BCATs) play an essential role in the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) such as isoleucine, leucine and valine. In this paper, we performed genome-wide RNA-seq analysis using CsBCAT7-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants. We observed significant changes in genes related to flowering time and genes that are germination-responsive in transgenic plants. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analyses revealed that the expression levels of some BCAA catabolic genes were upregulated in these same transgenic plants, and that this correlated with a delay in their senescence phenotype when the plants were placed in extended darkness conditions. These results suggest a connection between BCAT and the genes implicated in BCAA catabolism.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.203-212
• /
• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), including isoleucine, leucine, and valine, promote muscle protein synthesis. However, obesity may interfere with protein synthesis by dysregulating mitochondrial function in the muscles. This study aimed to examine the association between dietary intake levels of BCAA and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) in middle-aged participants, and the effect of obesity/abdominal obesity on this association. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The data of 3,966 men and women aged 50-64 years who participated in the 2008-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Intake levels of energy-adjusted dietary amino acids were obtained using a 24-hour dietary recall. SMI was calculated by dividing the appendicular skeletal muscle mass by body weight (kg) and multiplying the result by 100%. Multivariable general linear models were used to analyze the association of dietary BCAA intake levels with SMI. RESULTS: The beneficial effects of energy-adjusted dietary BCAA intakes on SMI were greater in the non-obesity/non-abdominal obesity groups; however, no significant associations were observed in the obesity/abdominal obesity groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Healthy weight and sufficient intake of dietary BCAA are recommended to maintain muscle mass.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.11
• /
• pp.1495-1503
• /
• 2009

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with BCAA (branched-chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine) on improving the growth of rats in a malnutritional IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Retardation) model, which was established by feeding restriction. In the experimental treatment, rats were fed purified diets supplemented with BCAA (mixed) during the whole gestation period, while arginine and alanine supplementation were set as the positive and negative control group, respectively. The results showed that, compared to the effect of alanine, BCAA reversed IUGR by increasing the fetus weights by 18.4% and placental weights by 18.0% while fetal numbers were statistically increased. Analysis of gene and protein expression revealed that BCAA treatment increased embryonic liver IGF-I expression; the uterus expressed higher levels of estrogen receptor-$\alpha$ (ER-$\alpha$) and progesterone receptor (PR), and the placenta expressed higher levels of IGF-II. Amino acid analysis of dam plasma revealed that BCAA supplementation effectively enhanced the plasma BCAA levels caused by the feed restriction. BCAA also enhanced the embryonic liver gluconeogenesis by augmenting the expression of two key enzymes, namely fructose-1,6-biphosphatase (FBP) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). In conclusion, supplementation of BCAA increased litter size, embryonic weight and litter embryonic weight by improving the dam uterus and placental functions as well as increasing gluconeogenesis in the embryonic liver, which further provided energy to enhance the embryonic growth.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.212-221
• /
• 2024

Objectives: Metabolic disease is strongly associated with future insulin resistance, and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Thus, identifying early biomarkers of metabolic-related disease based on serum profiling is useful to control future metabolic disease. Our study aimed to assess the association of serum branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids (AAAs) ratio and metabolic disease according to body mass index (BMI) status among Korean adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 78 adults aged 20-59 years in Korea. We compared serum amino acid (AA) levels between adults with normal-weight and adults with obesity and investigated biomarkers of metabolic disease. We examined serum AA levels, blood profile, and body composition. We also evaluated the association between serum AAs and metabolic-related disease. Results: The height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip-ratio, body fat mass, body fat percent, skeletal muscle mass, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were higher in the group with obesity compared to normal weight group. The group with obesity showed significantly higher levels of BCAA, AAA, and BCAA and AAA ratio. Further, BCAA and AAA ratio were significantly positively correlated with triglyceride, body weight, and skeletal muscle mass. The evaluation of metabolic disease risks revealed an association between the ratios of BCAAs and AAAs, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: Our study is showed the associations between BCAA and AAA ratio, obesity, and obesity-related diseases using various analytical approaches. The elevated BCAA and AAA ratio could be early biomarkers for predicting future metabolic diseases in Korean population.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.39-44
• /
• 2010

The process of the preparation of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA)-enriched hydrolysates from corn gluten was optimized through the parameters of pre-treatment (heating and cellulosic hydrolysis), hydrolysis method (acid, protease, and microbe plus protease), concentration, and spray drying condition. The protein yield of corn gluten was increased by heating and cellulase treatments. Among three different hydrolysis methods, the combined use of microbes and protease was the most effective in terms of free amino acid (FAA) and BCAA content of the corn gluten hydrolysates. In addition, the FAA and BCAA content in the hydrolysates prepared by microbial and enzymatic combined treatment were improved by a concentration process. Spray drying conditions for the preparation of the powder from the hydrolyzed reactant were an inlet temperature of $185^{\circ}C$, outlet temperature of $80^{\circ}C$, and the use of maltodextrin as an anticaking agent. Thus, this study established an economical process for preparation of value-added hydrolysates of excellent productivity and quality, in terms of high BCAA content and product stability.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.106-115
• /
• 2018

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary standard ileal digestible (SID) valine:lysine ratios on performance, intestinal morphology, amino acids of liver and muscle, plasma indices and mRNA expression of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism enzymes. Methods: A total of 144 crossbred pigs (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Large White) weaned at $28{\pm}4days$ of age ($8.79{\pm}0.02kg$ body weight) were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 diets formulated to provide SID valine:lysine ratios of 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80%. Each diet was fed to 6 pens of pigs with 6 pigs per pen (3 gilts and 3 barrows) for 28 days. Results: Average daily gain increased quadratically (p<0.05), the villous height of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum increased linearly (p<0.05) as the SID valine:lysine ratio increased. The concentrations of plasma ${\alpha}-keto$ isovaleric and valine increased linearly (p<0.05), plasma aspartate, asparagine and cysteine decreased (p<0.05) as the SID valine:lysine ratio increased. An increase in SID lysine:valine levels increased mRNA expression levels of mitochondrial BCAA transaminase and branched-chain ${\alpha}-keto$ acid dehydrogenase in the longissimus dorsi muscle (p<0.05). Conclusion: Using a quadratic model, a SID valine:lysine ratio of 68% was shown to maximize the growth of weaned pigs which is slightly higher than the level recommended by the National Research Council.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.577-588
• /
• 2003

Severe protein-calorie malnutrition, common in patients with advanced liver disease, can seriously undermine the capacity for regeneration and functional restoration of liver. Nutritional supplementation for these patients can improve biochemical and hormonal abnormalities. However, these effects were not identified in patient with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis. To determine effects of nutritional supplementation in patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, 77 subjects aged 29 to 69 years participated in this study for 12 weeks and were subdivided into three groups; normal diet group (Control group, n ＝ 16), branched-chain amino acid supplementation group (BCAA group, n ＝ 31), nutritional supplementation group (NS group, n ＝ 30). Anthropometric parameters, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood cell counts, serum levels of lipids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acid composition, and plasma amino acids were examined. The mean values of age and height, and the initial values of weight and body mass index (BMI) were not different among all groups. After 12 weeks, there were no significant changes in these values in Control group. Only NS group showed significant increases in weight, lean body mass, midarm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness. Serum transferrins were increased both in BCAA and NS groups. Plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids, urea amino acids and glutamic acid were also significantly increased in these groups, but plasma levels of ammonia, serum LDL cholesterol and atherogenic index were decreased. However, there were no significant changes in serum levels of vitamin and mineral and composition of fatty acids in phospholipids in these groups. These results showed that the nutritional supplementation for patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis can more improve nutritional status in these people together with increases of weight, body fat and lean body mass, compared to only BCAA supplementation. To ascertain and investigate the appropriate nutritional supplementation for patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, further studies are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.28-33
• /
• 2020

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the effects of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplement on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) by analyzing the maximum muscle strength and indicators of muscle damage. [Methods] Twelve men with majors in physical education were assigned to the BCAA group and placebo group in a double-blinded design, and repeated measurements were conducted. DOMS was induced with an isokinetic exercise. Following BCAA administration, the changes in the knee extension peak torque, flexion peak torque, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations were analyzed. The maximum knee muscle strength was measured at the baseline (pre-D0) following BCAA administration for 5 days before exercise (-D5, -4D, -3D, -2D, -1D). In contrast, the post-treatment measurements (D3) were recorded after BCAA administration for 3 days (post-D0, D1, D2). Blood samples were obtained before (pre-D0), immediately after (post-D0), 24 h (D1), 48 h (D2), and 72 h (D3) after the exercise to analyze the indicators of muscle strength. BCAA was administered twice daily for 8 days (5 days and 3 days before inducing DOMS and during the experimental period, respectively). [Results] There was no difference in the flexion peak torque between the groups. However, the BCAA group showed a significantly higher extension peak torque at D3 (second isokinetic exercise), compared to the placebo group (p<.05). There was no difference in AST changes between the groups. Nonetheless, the CK and LDH were significantly reduced in the BCAA group, compared to the placebo group. There was no correlation between the extension peak torque and flexion peak torque. However, the CK and LDH increased proportionately in DOMS. Moreover, their concentrations significantly increased with a decreasing peak torque (p<.01). [Conclusion] An exercise-induced DOMS results in a decrease in the peak torque and a proportional increase in the CK and LDH concentrations. Moreover, the administration of BCAA inhibits the reduction of the extension peak torque and elevation of CK and LDH concentrations. Therefore, BCAA might be administered as a supplement to maintain the muscle strength and prevent muscle damage during vigorous exercises that may induce DOMS in sports settings.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.50 no.6
• /
• pp.636-641
• /
• 2018

This study was conducted to compare the stability between branched-chain amino acid (BCAA)-encapsulated liposome and double emulsion (DE). Liposome was produced by high-speed homogenization and ultrasonication whereas DE was prepared by homogenizing with surfactants. All samples were fixed at pH 4 and 7 and stored at 4, 25, and $40^{\circ}C$ for 5 days. Encapsulation efficiency and cumulative release rate were measured under $4^{\circ}C$ and at $25^{\circ}C$. The results showed that the size of BCAA-coated liposome was greater at pH 7 than at pH 4. The zeta-potential value of BCAA-coated liposome was greater at pH 4 than at pH 7. It was supposed that the negatively charged liposomes attracted the positively charged BCAAs at pH 4 resulting in the formation of the vesicle with smaller size. Particle size of DE was smaller than $100{\mu}m$. Encapsulation efficiencies of BCAA in DE or liposome were over 97%, approximately, and the cumulative release rates of them were below 30% for 5 days.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.4-14
• /
• 2003

Maple syrup urine disease or branched chain ketoacidurias caused by a deficiency in activity of the branched-chain ${\alpha}$-keto acid dehydrogenase(BCKD) complex. This metabolic block results in the accumulation of the branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine and valine, and the corresponding branched chain ${\alpha}$-keto acids (BCKAs). Based on the clinical presentation and biochemical responses to thiamine administration, MSUD patients can be divided into five phenotypes : classic, intermediate, intermittent, thiamine responsive and dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase(E3)-deficient. Classic MSUD has a neonatal onset of encephalopathy, and is the most severe ad most common form. Variant forms of MSUD generally have the initial symptoms by 2 years of age. The majority of untreated classic patients die within the early months of life from recurrent metabolic crisis and neurologic deterioration. Treatment involves both longterm dietary management and aggressive intervention during acute metabolic decompensation. We report here our experience of longterm diet therapy and treatment of acute metabolic decompensation of a case of classic MSUD.