Related Experiment Videos
Exogenous amino acids as fuel in shock
Advances in Shock Research
|January 1, 1982
Summary
In shock, branched-chain amino acids are not readily used as fuel. However, glycine and alanine can be rapidly deaminated and utilized as exogenous energy sources during shock.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic research
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Shock is associated with preferential oxidation of branched-chain amino acids.
- This process may lead to continued proteolysis and stimulated gluconeogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether exogenous amino acids can serve as fuel during shock.
- To determine the metabolic fate of infused amino acids in hypotensive states.
Main Methods:
- Dogs in shock (hypotensive via cardiac tamponade) and normotensive controls were infused with amino acid mixtures (Nephramine, Travasol) and individual amino acids (glycine, alanine).
- Urea output and plasma alpha-amino nitrogen levels were measured.
- Glycine-14C tracer studies were conducted in shocked dogs to assess deamination and utilization.
Main Results:
- Infusion of Nephramine (rich in branched-chain amino acids) did not increase urea output in shock, indicating limited deamination.
- Travasol (containing alanine and glycine) increased urea production in both control and shock states.
- Glycine and alanine infusions in shock led to high plasma amino nitrogen, suggesting slow cellular transport, but tracer studies showed glycine was converted to CO2 and glucose.
Conclusions:
- Only glycine and alanine are deaminated rapidly enough to function as exogenous fuels in shock.
- Branched-chain amino acids are not efficiently utilized as fuel during shock.
- Amino acid transport into cells may be impaired during shock.