Influence of branched chain amino acid infusions on wound healing

Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) may serve as a major oxidative fuel for skeletal muscle during periods of starvation. This study compared the ability of protein-undernourished rats to heal musculo-aponeurotic wounds of the abdominal wall when they were infused with solutions containing 45% BCAA or 8% BCAA (conventional TPN). Although the provision of 45% BCAA tended to result in better nourished animals and significantly increased plasma glutamine concentrations, this was not associated with improved healing.