Plasma Free Amino Acids Research Articles

Cancer risk screening based on plasma free amino acid profiles

Cancer risk screening based on plasma free amino acid profiles

Relationship between plasma free amino acid profiles and changes in Crohn’s disease activity index after administration of an elemental diet in patients with Crohn’s disease

Purpose: We aimed to elucidate the relationship between plasma free amino acid profiles and changes in the Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI) among patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) after administration of an elemental diet (ED). Patients and methods: We measured fasting plasma concentrations of free amino acids in 5 patients with CD and evaluated the relationship between amino acid concentration and disease activity at 4 weeks after administration of an ED. Results: Concentrations of valine, lysine, tyrosine, and glutamic acid were significantly increased after administration of an ED. Significant correlations were noted between changes in CDAI scores and valine concentrations. Tryptophan concentrations also exhibited a strong correlation with CDAI scores. Conclusion: In patients with CD, plasma concentrations of valine and tryptophan appear to be associated with disease activity following treatment with an ED.

Assessment of Blood Plasma Free-amino Acid Levels in Infertile Men.

The objective of this study was to investigate the significance of the blood levels of free amino acids (AAs) in infertile men. Ninety-three men who underwent examinations for infertility were included. The concentrations of 20 AAs were measured and compared in four groups (normospermia, obstructive azoospermia, oligozoospermia, non-obstructive azoospermia) based on semen analysis and clinical parameters. When the 93 men were divided into normospermia, obstructive azoospermia, oligozoospermia, and non-obstructive azoospermia groups, no significant differences were found in the concentrations of the 20 AAs between them. We then compared 49 men diagnosed with normozoospermia or oligozoospermia according to the median sperm motility and morphology abnormalities rates (30% and 20%, respectively). Men with low motility rates had significantly lower levels of tryptophan and alanine, and men with high abnormal morphology rates had significantly lower levels of aspartate and glutamate. AAs are probably involved in the pathogenesis of male infertility, particularly oligozoospermia.

Amino Acids Profile and Vitamin D Measurement in Hypertension in Egyptian Population

Objective: To investigate the association between plasma free amino acids (PFAAs) profile changes, vitamin D concentration and hypertension and evaluate the clinical utility of this association for nascent hypertension before the development of complications.
 Methods: 70 subjects were enrolled in this study; 50 of them were hypertensive (25 were with uncontrolled hypertensive and 25 were with controlled hypertensive), the other 20 subjects were healthy controls.
 Results: Circulating levels of Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs); (valine, leucine, and isoleucine), Aromatic amino acids (AAAs); (phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan), homocysteine, aspartic, ornithine, asparagine and lysine were elevated significantly in both uncontrolled and controlled hypertensive subgroups in comparison with control group. On the contrary, the results showed marked decline in the concentration of threonine, serine, methionine, and arginine amino acids in the two hypertensive subgroups compared to control group. Moreover, there was a marked decrease of vitamin D level in hypertensive population in comparison with control.
 Conclusion: There is obvious association between PFAAs profile changes, hypovitaminosis D and hypertension.

Plasma‐free amino acid (PFAA) profile is a potential blood‐based biomarker for detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

AbstractBackgroundPrimary prevention of cognitive decline is important while development of disease modifying drugs for early Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is progressing rapidly. As a screening tool for early detection of cognitive decline, blood‐based biomarkers prior to invasive testing such as cerebral spinal fluid examination and positron emission tomography scanning could be beneficial. In our small‐scale pilot study, plasma‐free amino acid (PFAA) profiles of AD patients and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD were shown to be significantly different from those of cognitively healthy elderly. In order to examine the clinical significance of PFAAs as a novel biomarker, we started an MCI cohort study that enrolls hundreds of MCI subjects to determine practical biomarkers for MCI screening among generally healthy subjects, and to distinguish stable MCI and AD‐converted MCI. The results of interim baseline analysis regarding MCI screening will be presented here.MethodMCI subjects from 6 medical sites in Japan (MCI, n=117) and age‐gender‐matched community dwellers in 3 different cities in Japan (healthy control, n=117) were included in the current analysis. At baseline visit, plasma samples were collected under fasting condition. The concentrations of PFAAs and plasma amines were analyzed with LC/MS or LC/MS/MS and serum biochemistry tests were done. Observation of the clinical status of MCI subjects for 3 years after the blood collection is ongoing.ResultSeveral PFAAs including essential amino acids of MCI subjects were significantly lower than those of healthy control. There were no significant differences in plasma amine concentrations between MCI and control group. In addition, several serum biochemistry parameters including serum albumin of MCI subjects were significantly lower. These differences were independent of age and gender.ConclusionBoth PFAAs including essential amino acids and serum biochemistry including albumin were shown to be potential biomarkers for MCI screening. The validation of this results will be conducted in another subset in this MCI cohort study. For further investigation, we will conduct multivariable analysis and create the robust algorithm for MCI screening. Also, observation of the clinical status of MCI subjects will continue to distinguish stable MCI and AD‐converted MCI.

Use of plasma-free amino acids as biomarkers for detecting and predicting disease risk.

This paper reviews developments regarding the use of plasma-free amino acid (PFAA) profiles as biomarkers for detecting and predicting disease risk. This work was initiated and first published in 2006 and was subsequently developed by Ajinomoto Co., Inc. After commercialization in 2011, PFAA-based tests were adopted in over 1500 clinics and hospitals in Japan, and numerous clinician-led studies have been performed to validate these tests. Evidence is accumulating that PFAA profiles can be used for diabetes prediction and evaluation of frailty; in particular, decreased plasma essential amino acids could contribute to the pathophysiology of severe frailty. Integration of PFAA evaluation as a biomarker and effective essential amino acid supplementation, which improves physical and mental functions in the elderly, could facilitate the development of precision nutrition, including personalized solutions. This present review provides the background for the technology as well as more recent clinical findings, and offers future possibilities regarding the implementation of precision nutrition.

Preoperative AminoIndex Cancer Screening (AICS) abnormalities predict postoperative recurrence in patients undergoing curative resection for non-small cell lung cancer

BackgroundAminoIndex™ Cancer Screening (AICS (lung)) was developed as a screening test for lung cancer using a multivariate analysis of plasma-free amino acid (PFAA) profiles. According to the developed index composed of PFAA, the probability of lung cancer was categorized into AICS (lung) ranks A, B, and C in order of increasing risk. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the preoperative AICS (lung) rank and surgical outcomes in patients who underwent curative resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsPreoperative blood samples were collected from 297 patients who underwent curative resection for NSCLC between 2006 and 2015. PFAA concentrations were measured. The relationship between the preoperative AICS (lung) rank and clinicopathological factors was examined. The effects of the preoperative AICS (lung) rank on postoperative outcomes were also analyzed.ResultsThe AICS (lung) rank was A in 93 patients (31.3%), B in 82 (27.6%), and C in 122 (41.1%). The AICS (lung) rank did not correlate with any clinicopathological factors, except for age. Based on follow-up data (median follow-up period of 6 years), postoperative recurrence was observed in 22 rank A patients (23.7%), 15 rank B (18.3%) and 49 rank C (40.2%). In the univariate analysis, preoperative AICS (lung) rank C was a worse factor of recurrence-free survival (p = 0.0002). The multivariate analysis identified preoperative AICS (lung) rank C (HR: 2.17, p = 0.0005) as a significant predictor of postoperative recurrence, particularly in patients with early-stage disease or adenocarcinoma.ConclusionPreoperative AICS (lung) rank C is a high-risk predictor of postoperative recurrence in patients undergoing curative resection for NSCLC.

ВПЛИВ ЛІМІТУЮЧИХ АМІНОКИСЛОТ НА ОКРЕМІ БІОХІМІЧНІ ПОКАЗНИКИ В ОРГАНІЗМІ ТВАРИН

The effectiveness of the use of the most limiting amino acids (lysine, methionine and threonine) in the diets of pigs in order to provide their bodies with protein. Тhe results indicate a direct relationship between the level of these amino acids in the diet of pigs and the concentration of total protein and an inverse relationship with the content of free amino acids in blood plasma. In addition, in the blood of pigs to which these amino acids were added to the diet, a decrease in the concentration of urea,glucose and non-esterified fatty acids was observed.

Evaluation of Plasma Free Amino Acid and Carnitine Levels in Patients with Cesarean Scar Pregnancy.

This study aimed to explore the plasma free amino acid (FAA) and carnitine levels in pregnant women with cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP), and to compare them with those of healthy pregnant women. This prospective and randomized controlled study was conducted in patients admitted to Harran University Medical Faculty Hospital Obstetrics Clinic between January 2018 and January 2019. A total of 60 patients were included in the study, and the patients were divided into two groups: the CSP group (n = 30) and the healthy pregnant group as the control group (n = 30). The blood samples were taken from the participants between 7 - 12 weeks of gestation. Twenty-seven carnitines and their esters and 14 FAAs were analysed by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The mean plasma concentrations of some carnitines, including C2, C5, C5-OH, C5-DC, C6, C8-1, C12, C14, C14-1, C14-2, C16, C16-1, C18, and C18-1 were significantly higher in the CSP group than in the control group. However, other carnitines, including C0, C3, C4, C4-DC, C5- 1, C6-DC, C8, C8-DC, C10, C10-1, C18-1-OH, and C18-2, were similar in both groups. The plasma levels of some FAAs, including Methyl Glutaryl, Leu, Met, Phe, Arg, Orn, and Glu values, were significantly higher in the CSP group than in the control group. However, there was no statistical significance in other FAA levels, including Val, Asa, Tyr, Asp, Ala, Cit, and Gly between the two groups. Additionally, Pearson's correlation analysis showed that there were significantly positive correlations between many FAA and carnitine values. Since several plasma carnitines and FAA levels were higher in the CSP group than in the control group, we think that scar pregnancy increases the metabolic need for myometrial invasion. Also, we think that these results may be useful in clinical practice for CSP diagnosis.

Encapsulated crystalline lysine and DL-methionine have higher efficiency than the crystalline form in broilers

Crystalline amino acids (AAs) exhibit high nutritional values when supplemented AA-deficient diets. However, the AAs in crystalline form in the diet are absorbed quickly than protein-bound AAs, which may take an effect on AA utilization efficiency. In this study, 2 experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of encapsulated lysine-HCl (Lys) and DL-methionine (DL-Met) on the growth performance of broiler chickens. In experiment 1, a total of 432 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were subjected to 3 dietary treatments (27 pens; 16 birds per pen) for 42 d. The control group was basal diets supplemented with crystalline Lys and DL-Met, and treatment groups had basal diets supplemented with encapsulated Lys and DL-Met at the levels of 80% and 60% of control diets (80CLM, 60CLM), respectively. The growth performance, intestinal development, and transcription of AA transporters were determined. In experiment 2, 24 broiler chickens were subjected to the same treatments as in experiment 1. The plasma concentrations of free AAs were measured 0, 2, 4, and 6 h after feeding. The results showed that 80CLM treatment had no significant influence on production performance, carcass characteristics, and plasma free AAs content during the experiment compared with the control group (P > 0.05). In addition, the 80CLM group moderately enhanced gut morphology development and increased AAs' absorption capacity. However, broilers fed the 60CLM diet had lower production performance and breast muscle weight than the control group (P < 0.05), but increased villi height and B0AT mRNA expression level (P < 0.05). At h 4 after feeding, the 60CLM broilers exhibited higher concentration of Ala, Cys, and total dispensable AAs than the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the result suggests that the supplemental levels of crystalline Lys and DL-Met can be effectively saved approximately for 20% by using the encapsulated form in broilers, with improvements to AAs utilization efficiency, while posing no detrimental effects on production performance. Encapsulated Lys and DL-Met would have greater potential for application when replacing crystalline AAs in broiler chickens.

The free amino acid profiles and metabolic biomarkers of predicting the chemotherapeutic response in advanced sarcoma patients

Metabolomics is an emerging field in cancer research. Plasma free amino acid profiles (PFAAs) have shown different features in various cancers, but the characteristic in advanced sarcoma remains unclear. We aimed to uncover the specific PFAAs in advanced sarcoma and to find the relationship between the altering of PFAAs and response to chemotherapy. We analyzed the differences in PFAAs between 23 sarcoma patients and 30 healthy subjects basing on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Then, we compared the dynamics of PFAAs after chemotherapy between improvement group and deterioration group. We identified seven biological differential amino acids and four pathways which were perturbed in the sarcoma patients compared with healthy subjects. After one cycle chemotherapy, the levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and carnosine (Car) decreased significantly in the improvement group but not in deterioration group. The levels of α-aminobutyric acid (Abu) increased significantly in the deterioration group but not in the improvement group. Our study suggests the potential specific PFAAs in sarcoma patients. The unusual amino acids and metabolic pathways may provide ideas for clinical drugs targeting therapy. Three amino acids including Car, GABA and Abu may be metabolic biomarkers playing a role in dynamic monitoring of the therapeutic effect.

Dietary Insect Powder Protein Sources Improve Protein Utilization by Regulation on Intestinal Amino Acid-Chemosensing System.

Simple SummaryInsect powders, including Tenebrio molitor (TM), Musca domestica larvae (MDL) and Zophobas morio (ZM), as high-quality and renewable protein sources are commonly applied in livestock and poultry feed production. The molecular effect of insect protein on amino acid metabolism in pigs needs to be explored. We found that insect powder as a protein source in feed regulated the mTOR signal pathway and improved amino acid transportation in the intestine for growth promotion. Insect powder may be a potentially promising protein source for pig production.This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary insect powder supplementation as a protein source on plasma amino acid profiles, intestinal amino acid transport and sensing in a piglet model. A total of 144 weanling piglets were randomly assigned to four experimental diets for two phases (Days 1–28 and Days 29–56), to assess the effects on amino acid profiles and transportation in the segments of the intestine. The groups were basal diet (control), control diet plus Tenebrio molitor (TM), control diet plus Musca domestica larvae (MDL) and control diet plus Zophobas morio (ZM). The plasma free amino acid levels were stable comparable among treatments, except that the lysine level was significantly reduced by dietary MDL and ZM supplementation in the first phase (p < 0.05). In the 1st phase, the sensitivity of intestinal segments to the regulation of the amino acid level by insect powder supplementation follows sequence: colon > ileum > jejunum, while the order switched to jejunum > colon > ileum in the 2nd phase. The relative RNA expressions of mitogen-activated protein 4 kinase 3 (MAP4K3), sodium dependent neutral amino acid transporter2 (SNAT2), the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) and taste 1 receptor member 1/3 (T1R3) in the segments of the intestine were affected by different dietary insect powder supplementation. G protein-coupled receptor family C group 6 member A (GPRC6A) level in the jejunal and colonic mucosa was upregulated by MDL supplementation (p < 0.05). These results indicated that dietary insects improved the metabolism of the amino acid in the prophase (the 1st phase) through regulating the sensing gene and mTOR signal pathway in intestinal mucosa by targeting different receptors. The finding demonstrates that the insect powder is a potentially promising source for protein deposition.

Plasma free amino acids are associated with sarcopenia in the course of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence

ObjectiveSarcopenia worsens the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to elucidate the plasma free amino acids (PFAAs) associated with sarcopenia or myosteatosis in the course of HCC recurrence. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 187 patients were enrolled retrospectively. All patients experienced more than one hospitalization (mean times, 2.65) owing to HCC recurrence. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) and muscle attenuation (MA) were measured by a transverse computed tomography (CT) scan image at the third lumbar vertebra (L3). The changes in the concentration of 24 PFAAs, SMI, and MA in the same patient between recurrences were defined as Δ. The associations between sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and PFAAs were evaluated by a logistic regression model. The ΔSMI and ΔMA were compared between the patients who received branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) formulation and those who did not. ResultsPatients with sarcopenia showed lower survival rate; the 1-, 3-, and 5-y survival rates were 85%, 42%, and 9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the level of total BCAAs was significantly associated with sarcopenia. The correlation coefficient value between the change of leucine (ΔLeu) and ΔSMI was highest (R = 0.256; P < 0.001) among the PFAAs. In the Child-Pugh grade B or C, the decrease of SMI was significantly more suppressed in the patients with the BCAAs formulation than in those without BCAAs formulation (ΔSMI: mean change –0.98 versus –3.45 cm²/m²; P = 0.038). ConclusionAmong the PFAAs, the level of BCAAs was associated with sarcopenia in the course of HCC recurrence.

Clinical and Biochemical Characterizations of Pediatric Patients with Urea Cycle Disorders in Upper Egypt: A Case- Control Study

Background: The diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism is generally challenging. We aimed to explore various types of urea cycle disorders (UCDs), and their clinical presentations and biochemical findings among Egyptian pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 86 participants categorized into 43 pediatric patients suspected to have UCDs and 43 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, recruited from the Pediatric Outpatient Clinics, Inpatients Pediatric Departments, PICU and Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Qena, Assiut and Aswan University Hospitals, Egypt. In addition to the clinical assessments and routine laboratory investigations, colorimetric assays of blood lactate and ammonia, and plasma free amino acids assays using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), were performed for all included children. For patients with abnormal aminograms, the five enzymes of the urea cycle were measured in their liver tissue homogenates, using chemical methods. Results: The results showed that 25 out of 43 suspected patients were confirmed to have UCDs. The most frequent type of UCDs was Ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency (48%), followed by Argininosuccinate synthase (ASS) deficiency (36%) and the least frequent was arginase (ARG) deficiency (16%). The main clinical presentations were poor oral intake (100%), followed by lethargy (96%), hypotonia (68%), vomiting (64%), and hepatomegaly (48%). There were normal glucose and ABG values with significantly higher ammonia; lactate and the measured plasma free amino acids among patients with UCDs vs. the controls (p˂0.05). Conclusion: The most frequent types of UCDs among pediatric patients in Upper Egypt were OTC and ASS deficiencies. In addition to clinical suspicion, assays of lactate, ABG, glucose, ammonia and aminogram may be helpful biochemical tests in diagnosing UCDs.

Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia in Tunisia. Report upon a Series of 69 Patients.

The aim of the study is to report on epidemiological, clinical, and biochemical characteristics of nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) in Tunisia. Patients diagnosed with NKH in Laboratory of Biochemistry at Rabta hospital (Tunis, Tunisia) between 1999 and 2018 were included. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) free amino acids were assessed by ion exchange chromatography. Diagnosis was based on family history, patient's clinical presentation and course, and increased CSF to plasma glycine ratio. During 20 years, 69 patients were diagnosed with NKH, with 25 patients originating from Kairouan region. Estimated incidences were 1:55,641 in Tunisia and 1:9,684 in Kairouan. Consanguinity was found for 73.9% of the patients and 42% of the families have history of infantile death due to a disease of similar clinical course than the propositus. Clinical symptoms initiated within the first week of life in 75% of the patients and within the first 3 months in 95.7% ones. The phenotype was severe in 76.8% of the patients. Main symptoms were hypotonia, feeding difficulties, coma, apnea, and seizures. Most patients died within few days to months following diagnosis. CSF to plasma glycine ratio was increased in all patients. CSF and plasma glycine levels were negatively correlated with age of disease onset and severity. NKH is quite frequent in Tunisia. Kairouan region has the highest NKH incidence rate, worldwide. However, due to lack of confirmatory enzymatic and genetic tests, NKH diagnosis was based on first-line biochemical tests. Characterization of causal mutations is needed for accurate diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis of this devastating life-threatening disease.

An Analysis of Free Plasma Amino Acid Profile and mTOR Protein Level in Children with Malnutrition

Amaç: Malnütrisyon bir ya da daha fazla besin öğesinin vücut dengesini bozacak şekilde yetersiz alınması sonucunda ortaya çıkan klinik bir tablodur. Etiyopatogenezin de beslenme problemleri, protein ve enerji eksikliği ve özellikle mTOR proteini ve kan aminoasitleri ile ilgili eksiklikler mevcuttur. Bu çalışmada büyüme ve gelişme geriliği olan çocukların serbest plazma aminoasit profili ve mTOR protein düzeyinin araştırılmasını amaçladık. Materyal ve metod: Çalışmamızda hastanemiz pediatri polikliniğine başvuran 0-18 yaş arasında boy ve kilosu üç persantilin altında olan malnütrisyonlu çocuklarda mTOR düzeyi ve mTOR düzeyinin kan aminoasit düzeyleriyle ilişkisi incelenmiştir. Bulgular: Çalışmaya 48 hasta ve kontrol grubu için tamamen sağlıklı 47 çocuk alındı. Beslenmenin yetersizliğine bağlı olarak malnütrisyon olan çocuklarda mTOR ve aminoasit seviyelerinde düşüklük beklenmesine rağmen referans aralıklarına göre değerlendirildiğinde kontrol grubu ile hasta grubu arasında anlamlı fark bulunamadı. Sonuç: Büyüme ve gelişme geriliği olan çocuklarda bakılan mTOR ve aminoasit profili özel bir belirteç olarak kullanılamasa da bu alanda yapılacak birçok çalışmaya ışık tutabileceği kanısına varıldı.

Screening Strategy of Pancreatic Cancer in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

The incidence of pancreatic cancer (PCa) is increasing worldwide and has become one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Screening for high risk populations is fundamental to overcome this intractable malignancy. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is classically known as a risk factor for PCa. Recently the reverse causality is in the spotlight, that is to say, DM is considered to be a manifestation of PCa. Numbers of epidemiological studies clarified that new-onset DM (≤2-year duration) was predominant in PCa patients and the relative risk for PCa inversely correlated with duration of DM. Among patients with new-onset DM, elder onset, weight loss, and rapid exacerbation of glycemic control were reported to be promising risk factors and signs, and the model was developed by combining these factors. Several pilot studies disclosed the possible utility of biomarkers to discriminate PCa-associated DM from type 2 DM. However, there is no reliable biomarkers to be used in the practice. We previously reported the application of a multivariate index for PCa based on the profile of plasma free amino acids (PFAAs) among diabetic patients. We are further investigating on the PFAA profile of PCa-associated DM, and it can be useful for developing the novel biomarker in the near future.

Вплив одноразового перорального введення щурам асоціату таурин-декстрин на концентрацію амінокислот у плазмі крові

The aim of the study was to test the ability of dextrin particles of different sizes, modified with N-stearylglutamic acid, to increase the transport of taurine into the blood plasma of rats. To achieve this goal, Wistar rats weighing 240–260 g were divided into control and four experimental groups. The control group was administered once perorally with water. The first experimental group was administered perorally with an aqueous solution of taurine at a dose of 100 mg/kg, the second and third ― a solution of taurine-dextrin associate with particle sizes of 60–90 nm and 500–800 nm, in which the dose of taurine was 100 mg/kg. The fourth experimental group (IV) was administered only dextrin. In 30 min, the rats were decapitated, and blood was collected. Blood cells and proteins were precipitated, and samples were derivatized with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Free amino acids of plasma were separated on a Dionex Ultimate 3000 liquid chromatograph equipped with a spectrophotometric detector, chromatographic column Luna C18 (2) 250×4.6 mm, elution type was gradient. It was registered that in the first and third experimental groups the content of taurine in the blood plasma of rats was 33.8% higher than in the control. Oral administration of taurine-dextrin associate with 60–90 nm particles increases the taurine content by 62.6% compared to the control and by 21.6% more than in the first and third experimental groups. This indicates efficient transport of taurine by dextrin only with particles of 60–90 nm. Administration of both taurine and taurine-dextrin associate reduced concentrations of glutamine, methionine, lysine, alanine, phenylalanine, and histidine. Moreover, the reason for the decrease in the content of the last two amino acids was not only taurine, but also the transporter itself. With the administration of the transporter the concentration of asparagine was lower than in control, and the content of arginine, on the contrary, higher. In the first experimental group, the concentration of aspartic acid and serine decreased, and in the second ― valine, leucine and tryptophan, in the third ― glutamic acid. The glycine content increased in the second experimental group. Ornithine content in all experimental groups except the third was higher, compared with the control. Thus, modified dextrin with a particle size of 60–90 nm increases the transport of taurine into the blood.

Soybean bioactive peptides supplementation during late gestation and lactation affect the reproductive performance, free amino acid composition in plasma and milk of sows

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of soybean bioactive peptides (SBP) supplementation to sows during late gestation and lactation on plasma and milk free amino acid composition and reproductive performance. A total of 86 gestating sows (Landrace × × Yorkshire; mean parity of 2.40 [SD 1.18]) from two successive batches of with a 9-day interval were randomly assigned to either a basal diet group (control diet [Con]) or the Con supplemented with 2% soybean bioactive peptides (SBP) product group from d 90 of gestation to weaning at day 21 of lactation. The duration of farrowing and the interval between piglet births (P < < 0.05) were decreased and the litter weight gain during lactation (P = 0.097) tended to increase of sows fed SBP than Con diet. Serum concentrations of lysine, phenylalanine, valine, arginine (+36–354%, P < < 0.05) and leucine (+30%, P = 0.056), glutamate (+36%, P = 0.057), ornithine (+104%, P = 0.079) at farrowing were increased or tended to increase of sows fed SBP. Serum concentrations of methionine (+29%, P < 0.05), lysine (+72%, P = 0.068), isoleucine (+35%, P = 0.074), arginine (+45%, P = 0.098) and ornithine (+99%, P = 0.085) on postpartum day 21 were increased or tended to increase of sows fed SBP. The concentrations of cystathionine, lysine, arginine, glutamine (+92~351%, P < 0.05), alanine (+191%, P = 0.061) in colostrum and arginine (+41%, P < 0.05) in milk were increased or tended to increase of sows fed SBP. The contents of IgG and fat in colostrum (P < 0.05) of sows fed SBP were increased compared with that in Con sows. Serum malondialdehyde concentrations of sows at parturition and at d 14 of lactation were both markedly (P < 0.05) decreased and the activity of total antioxidant capacity in serum of sows at parturition (P < 0.05) was significantly increased with SBP supplementation. In conclusion, the present research indicated that dietary supplementation with soybean bioactive peptides during late gestation and lactation could shorten the duration of farrowing and enhance the growth performance of suckling piglets by improving functional amino acids concentration and antioxidant properties.

Usefulness of the plasma branched-chain amino acid/aromatic amino acid ratio for predicting future cardiac events in patients with heart failure

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) is a hypercatabolic state that promotes branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolic activity in the heart and skeletal muscle and reduces protein synthesis in the liver. Consequently, plasma free aromatic amino acids (AAAs) are increased. We investigated the prognostic value of the BCAA/AAA ratio (Fischer’s ratio, FR) in patients with HF. MethodsWe enrolled 157 consecutive patients hospitalized for worsening HF (81 men, 76 women; mean ± SD age 75 ± 14 years). Plasma BCAA levels (i.e. total leucine, isoleucine, valine) and AAA levels (i.e. total tyrosine, phenylalanine) were measured at a time when the patients were stabilized (at discharge). FR was calculated as the combined plasma BCAA levels divided by the AAA level. Cardiac events were defined as a composite of cardiac death and hospitalization for worsening HF. ResultsThe patients were divided into two groups based on the median FR (high-FR group: FR ≥ 3.1, n = 78; low-FR group: FR < 3.1, n = 79). Compared with the high-FR group, low-FR patients were older, had more prior hospitalizations for HF, lower albumin and cholinesterase levels, and lower geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI). Altogether, 46 cardiac events occurred during the follow-up period (221 ± 135 days), including 14 cardiac deaths and 32 hospitalizations for worsening HF. In a Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, the low-FR group had more cardiac events than the high-FR group (log-rank, p < 0.001). The best cut-off value of FR was determined as 2.9 in the receiver operating characteristic curve for cardiac events. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that being in the low-FR group was an independent determinant of cardiac events from parameters of liver function tests and GNRI. ConclusionsFR might be useful for predicting future cardiac events in patients with HF, reflecting nutritional status which cannot be assessed by liver function tests and GNRI.