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

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 2010

This study was conducted to determine the effects of amino acid-enriched ruminally protected fatty acid (AARPFA) on plasma fatty acids and amino acids, growth performance and carcass characteristics of Korean native steers (Hanwoo) by simultaneous supply of fatty acids and limiting amino acids (methionine and lysine). Eighteen finishing Hanwoo steers, 18 months of age and weighing an average of $459.0{\pm}38.9\;kg$, were used for studies of the metabolism of plasma fatty acids and amino acids during supplementation of AARPFA. Also, 45 finishing Hanwoo steers, 16 months of age and weighing an average of $408.6{\pm}26.5\;kg$, were used for growth performance and carcass characteristics during supplemention of AARPFA. There were three treatments which comprised a basal diet supplemented with AARPFA at 0 g (T1), 50 g (T2) or 100 g (T3), respectively. Concentrations of saturated, unsaturated and total fatty acids in plasma were increased in T3 compared with other treatments (p<0.05). Concentrations of methionine and lysine in plasma were linearly increased with increasing levels of AARPFA (p<0.01). Average daily gain, dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio were not different among the treatments. Marbling score measured by ultra-sound scanning was higher in T3 than in T1 at 24 months of age (p<0.05). Rib eye area, back fat thickness, yield index and yield grade score were similar across the treatments. Marbling score and quality grade score were higher in T3 compared with other treatments (p<0.01). Thus, plasma fatty acids, methionine and lysine metabolism were affected by supplementing with 100 g of AARPFA which also had positive effects on marbling score and meat quality grade of finishing Hanwoo steers.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.229-236
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• 1995

Multiple-step gradient method was used for the analysis of free amino acids in physiological fluids by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector on the Amino Quant $C_{18}$ column under the condition of pH 7.2 of buffer solutions. Plasma samples of normal Korean people and abnormal Korean people who have schizophrenia were subjected to derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde in the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid. Quantitative analysis of amino acids in physiological fluids by internal standard method gave highly reproducible results within a relative standard deviation of less than 2~6%. And amino acids amounts of physiological fluids of Korean people gave some different results from those of foreigners. There was large differences in tyrosine amount between normal and abnormal man.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2018

Alterations in sulfur amino acid metabolism are associated with an increased risk of a number of common late-life diseases, which raises the possibility that metabolism of sulfur amino acids may change with age. The present study was conducted to understand the age-related changes in hepatic metabolism of sulfur amino acids in 2-, 6-, 18- and 30-month-old male C57BL/6 mice. For this purpose, metabolite profiling of sulfur amino acids from methionine to taurine or glutathione (GSH) was performed. The levels of sulfur amino acids and their metabolites were not significantly different among 2-, 6- and 18-month-old mice, except for plasma GSH and hepatic homocysteine. Plasma total GSH and hepatic total homocysteine levels were significantly higher in 2-month-old mice than those in the other age groups. In contrast, 30-month-old mice exhibited increased hepatic methionine and cysteine, compared with all other groups, but decreased hepatic S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine and homocysteine, relative to 2-month-old mice. No differences in hepatic reduced GSH, GSH disulfide, or taurine were observed. The hepatic changes in homocysteine and cysteine may be attributed to upregulation of cystathionine ${\beta}-synthase$ and down-regulation of ${\gamma}-glutamylcysteine$ ligase in the aged mice. The elevation of hepatic cysteine levels may be involved in the maintenance of hepatic GSH levels. The opposite changes of methionine and SAM suggest that the regulatory role of SAM in hepatic sulfur amino acid metabolism may be impaired in 30-month-old mice.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.221-232
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of deficiency of essential amino acid in diet on feed intake and concentrations of free amino acid in plasma and brain(prepyriform cortex, PPC), and thereby to know the brain area engaged in the mechanism of feed intake regulation. In all trials, experimental diets were formulated with pure amino acid mixture to level of 15% nitrogen. Rats were trained to eat a single meal for 6 hours daily(meal feeding, 17:00-21:00). Feed intake and body weight were measured hourly on and after 7th day of feeding. In Exp. 1, feed intake and body weight were measured every hour, and the free amino acid concentrations of plasma and PPC were analysed at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 6 h on the 11th day of feeding. In Exp. 2, the complete diet was replaced with lysine devoid diet at the 11th day, and feed intake, body weight and free amino acid concentrations in plasma and PPC were samely measured on Exp. 1. In Exp. 1, feed intake on complete diet was self-sufficiented to daily feed intake level(15g/day) from the 7th day. Free amino acid concentrations of plasma and PPC at the 11th day were plateau at 1 hour after feeding. In Exp. 2, feed intake was quickly reduced by the diet replacement(P$<$0.05), and the free lysine concentration of plasma and PPC was also significantly decreased at 2 hour after feeding. However, cumulative feed intake was significantly decreased at 4 hour after feeding. These results may indicate that the concentrations of free lysine in plasma and PPC, under the condition of devoided lysine in diet, were more quickly droped than the reduction of feed intake rate. Hence, it is expected that PPC in brain might be a part of response area for limited amino acid.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2007

Homocysteine is a sulfur amino-acid produced during the metabolism of the essential amino acid methionine. Moderately increased plasma total homocysteine concentration have been implicated as a risk factor for occlusive vascular disease. Smoking is known to be one of the most significant factors leading to elevated plasma homocysteine concentration. However, the main component of a cigarette, nicotine has been not studied whether it is linked directly to the increase of homocysteine concentration in blood. The metabolism of homocysteine is closely linked to that of its cofactors, folate. Here, the effects of nicotine and folic acid on amount of plasma homocysteine were studied. The concentration of homocysteine was increased by about 70% in rat plasma after nicotine treatment for one month. This increased concentration of homocysteine was reduced by about 60% at 6 hours later after folate treatment. Thus, nicotine should be directly involved in increasing the concentration of plasma homocysteine. Also it is suggested that these results can be and applied and used for controlling withdrawal symptoms after stopping smoking as one of oriental medicine formulas.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.978-983
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• 1995

The effect of sulfur-containing amino acids on lipid metabolism was studied in rats fed casein as a protein source. Plasma cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and atherosclerotic index decreased in the cysteine group compared to the methionine group. Plasma triglyceride and phospholipid level were not affected by the supplementation of the sulfur-containing amino acids. The levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in liver decreased by both methionine and cysteine. Cysteine increased the fecal excretion of coprostanol, total neutral steroid and bile acid. The results suggest that plasma cholesterol level is affected by dietary ratio of cysteine/methionine and that the hypocholesterolemic effects of cysteine is, at least in part, through reducing cholesterol absorption from small intestine and through enhancing fecal excretion of bile acids.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1315-1323
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• 1998

Effect of oral taurine supplementation on plasma total and phospholidpid -fatty acid profiles and their metabolism were evaluated in healthy female adults. Among twenty five female volunteers(23.6$\pm$0.3 years old ) participated in the taruine supplementation program(6g taurine /day), twenty four subjects succesfully completed the 2 week program , and only nine subjects continued to take taurine for another 2 weeks. Levels of plasma fatty acids and taruine were measured by gas-liquid chromatobraphy and an automated amino acid analyzer based on ion exchange chromatography, respectively. Plasma taurine concentration s of the subjects were 108. 7$\pm$3.4 , 184.2$\pm$8.2 and 235.9$\pm$77.0$\mu$emol/L at 0 , 2 and 4 weeks of taurine supplementation. Fatty acid compositions and elongation and desaturation indices of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in plasma total lipids were not influenced by oral taurine supplementation. However, fatty acid compositions and their metabolism in plasma phospholipids were significantly affected by taurine supplementation in female adults. Compared to the values for 0 week, the percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in plasma phospholipid was significantly lowered at 2 weeks, but elevated at 4 weeks of taurine supplementation. In contrast , the percentage of phospholipid PUFA significantly increased at 2 weeks and decreased at 4 weeks of taurine supplementation from to the values for 0 weeks. Foru weeks of oral taurine supplementation signifinatly elevated the eongation index(20 : 4$\omega$6 ⇒22 : 4 $\omega$6, p<0.01), and decreased the desaturation index (20 : 3 $\omega$6 ⇒20 : 4 $\omega$6 , p<0.01) of $\omega$6 fatty acids in plasma phospholipids. Plasma taurine concentration was positively correlated with the percentage of 14 : 0 fatty acids and the enlongation index o f$\omega$3 fatty acids(20 : 5 $\omega$3 ⇒22 : 5 $\omega$3), and thenegatively correlated with the percentage of 20 : 0 in plasma phospholipids. These results indicate that oral taurine supplementation for 4 weeks signidicantly elelvated the percentage of SFA, and lowered the percentage of PUFA in plasma phospholipids with no influence on plasm total fatty aicd composition in healthy female adults.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.396-402
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• 2005

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary arginine concentrations on plasma free amino acid (PAA) concentrations in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). The first experiment was conducted to determine appropriate post-prandial and food deprivation sampling times in dorsal aorta cannulated rainbow trout averaging 519${\pm}$9.5 g (mean${\pm}$SD) at $16^{\circ}C$. Blood samples were taken at 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 24 h after feeding (0 and 24 h blood samples were taken from the same group of fish). PAA concentrations increased by 2 h post-feeding and the concentration of all essential amino acids except histidine peaked at 5 h and returned to 0 time values by 24 h. In the second experiment dorsal aorta cannulated rainbow trout averaging 528${\pm}$11.3 g (mean${\pm}$SD) were divided into 6 groups of 4 fish to study the effect of dietary arginine levels on PAA. After 24 h food deprivation, each group of fish was fed one of six L-amino acid diets containing graded levels of arginine (0.48, 1.08, 1.38, 1.68, 1.98 or 2.58%) by intubation. Blood samples were taken at 0, 5 and 24 h after feeding. Post-prandial (5 h after feeding) plasma-free arginine concentrations (PParg) showed a breakpoint at 1.03% arginine in the diet and post-absorptive (24 h after feeding) plasma free-arginine concentrations (PAarg) showed a breakpoint at 1.38% arginine. PAarg increased linearly from fish fed diets containing arginine between 0.48% and 1.38%, and the concentrations remained constant from fish fed diets containing arginine at or above 1.38%, but were all below PParg at all time points. Results of the third experiment confirm the results that PParg concentrations from fish fed arginine deficient diets were higher than PAarg (0 or 24 h values). Thus, in contrast to mammals and birds, the PParg when arginine is present in the diet as the most limiting amino acid such that it severely limits growth, increases in plasma rather than decreases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.98-103
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• 2002

The serum lipid-lowering effect of garlic was examined in hypercholesterolemic rats. The food intake was not significantly different by garlic powder supplementation. The inclusion of 1% garlic powder in a diets containing 1% cholesterol brought a reduction in the serum cholesterol and triglyceride. Liver lipids were not affected by the addition of l% garlic Powder in hypercholesterolemic rats. Earlier studies have suggested that the effect of garlic on serum cholesterol may be related to the sulfur-containing amino acids of products released during protein digestion. However, our results in rats fed garlic powder diet showed no specific effect on plasma free amino acid concentrations. In conclusion. this study clears shows that garlic intake is able to reduce the levels of serum cholesterol in hypercholesteroolemic rats. However, further studies have to be done in order to elucidate the mechanism underlying this phenomenon.