Valine kinetics at graded valine intakes in young men

Twelve young men, six subjects in each group studied in two phases, participated in an experiment to explore the relationships between valine intake, plasma valine concentrations, and valine kinetics, using 1-[13C]valine as a tracer. Below a valine intake of about 20 mg.kg-1.day-1 plasma valine concentrations reached a low and relatively constant level. The rate of valine oxidation fell with the decline in the intake of amino acid. Below valine intakes of 16 mg.kg-1.day-1, the mean daily rate of oxidation was estimated to be generally higher than the intake level, implying a negative valine balance during the 24 h day. These findings indicate that an intake of 10 mg valine kg-1.day-1 would not be adequate to maintain protein nutritional status. Our results are discussed in relation to the currently accepted 1973 FAO/WHO value of 10 mg.kg-1.day-1 as being the upper range of the valine requirement in healthy adult humans.