• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.133-140
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• 2005

Although amino acids are substrates for the synthesis of proteins and nitrogen-containing compounds, it has become more and more clear over the years that these nutrients are also extremely important as regulators of body protein turnover. The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) together or simply leucine alone stimulate protein synthesis and inhibit protein breakdown in skeletal muscle. However, it was only recently that the mechanism(s) involved in the regulation of protein turnover by BCAAs has begun to be defined. The acceleration of protein synthesis by these amino acids seems to occur at the level of peptide chain initiation. Oral administration of leucine to food-deprived rats enhances muscle protein synthesis, in part, through activation of the mRNA binding step of translation initiation. Despite our knowledge of the induction of protein synthesis by BCAAs, there are few studies on the suppression of protein degradation. The recent findings that oral administration of leucine rapidly reduced $N^{\tau}$-methylhistidine (3-methylhistidine; MeHis) release from isolated muscle, an index of myofibrillar protein degradation, indicate that leucine suppresses myofiblilar protein degradation. The details of the molecular mechanism by which leucine inhibits proteolysis is just beginning to be elucidated. The purpose of this report was to review the current understanding of how BCAAs act as regulators of protein turnover.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.451-458
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• 2012

PURPOSE: The purpose of present study was to determine effects of circuit class training (CCT) on the synthesis of central serotonin in people with post-stroke depression. METHODS: Forty patients with mild post-stroke depression were participated in current study. All subjects were assigned to two groups of CCT (circuit class training) group and SW (stretching and weight shifting) group. Both groups were performed for 80 minutes. The change of blood f-Trp, BCAAs, f-Trp/BCAAs and serotonin according to period training time were examined and the following results were obtained. RESULTS: In the CCT group, f-Trp, BCAAs, and f-Trp/BCAAs increased according to the time point. However, after 24 hour of circuit class training, all of these were significantly decreased by those before training. The change in blood levels of serotonin was the highest in immediately after the training in the CCT group while it was not changed significantly in the SW group. CONCLUSION: It can be seen that CCT can change the serotonin level and have an effect on the synthesis of central serotonin in people with post-stroke depression.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.200-207
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• 2009

This study examined the effects of com gluten (CG) and its hydrolysate consumptions on weight reduction in rats fed a high-fat diet. Eight-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40) were fed a high-fat diet (40% calorie as fat) for 4 weeks. They were then randomly divided into four groups and fed the isocaloric diets with different protein sources for 8 weeks. The protein sources were casein (control group), intact CG (CG group), CG hydrolysate A (CGHA group, 30% of protein as peptides and 70% as free amino acids) and CG hydrolysate P (CGHP group, 93% of protein as peptides and 7% as free amino acids). Body weight gain, adipose tissue weights, nitrogen balance, absorptions of energy, protein and fat, lipid profiles in plasma, liver and feces and hepatic activities of camitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT), fatty acid synthase (FAS), malic enzyme (ME) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) were assessed. The CGHA diet had the highest amount of BCAAs, especially leucine, and most of them existed as free amino acid forms. The CGHA group showed significant weight reduction and negative nitrogen balance. Protein absorption and apparent protein digestibility in the CGHA group were significantly lower than those in other groups. Adipose tissue weights were the lowest in the CGHA group. Activity of CPT tended to be higher in the CGHA group than in other groups and those of FAS, ME and G6PDH were significantly lower in the CGHA group than in other groups. In conclusion, the CGHA diet which had relatively high amounts of free amino acids and BCAAs, especially leucine, had a weight reduction effect by lowering adipose tissue weight and the activities of FAS, ME and G6PDH in experimental animals, but it seemed to be a negative result induced by lowering protein absorption, increasing urinary nitrogen excretion and protein catabolism.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1440-1444
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• 2005

To determine the effects of short-term dietary supplementation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) during nursing (from 3 to 28 days of age) on plasma BCAA levels and subsequent growths in cattle, 12 nursing male Holstein calves, randomly assigned to control and treatment groups (n = 6 in each group), orally received a daily supplement of essential BCAAs (2 g/kg body weight/day; 1:1:1 of valine, leucine and isoleucine) or not. The plasma BCAA levels increased linearly after the administration. During the treatment period, average daily gain (ADG) was lower in the treatment group (0.43${\pm}$0.07 kg/day) than the controls (0.71${\pm}$0.07 kg/day, p<0.05). However, at 2 months of age, ADG was significantly higher in the BCAA-treated group (1.16${\pm}$0.26 kg/day vs. 0.51${\pm}$0.06 kg/day, p<0.05). Furthermore, at age 8, 9 and 10 month, ADG in the treated group (1.35${\pm}$0.23, 1.46${\pm}$0.07 and 1.60${\pm}$0.16 kg/day, respectively) showed a linear increase and was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.88${\pm}$0.14, 0.70${\pm}$0.21 and 1.11${\pm}$0.11 kg/kg, respectively, p<0.05). Overall, ADG was 15.6% higher in the treatment group (1.26${\pm}$0.05 kg vs. 1.09${\pm}$0.04 kg; p<0.05). The final body weight at slaughter was 14.8% higher in the treatment group (759.5${\pm}$17.7 kg vs. 661.7${\pm}$21.2 kg, p<0.01). Thus, the supplementation of BCAAs during nursing improves ADG and carcass weight in cattle and is a useful husbandry technique for beef cattle.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.295-305
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• 2021

Objective: The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of normal and low protein content (PC) of starter diet supplemented or not with blends of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) on growth performance of broilers under summer conditions and to investigate whether these effects altered some quality traits and the characteristics of gastrointestinal tract. Methods: A total of 768 mixed-sex broiler chicks (Ross 308, one-d-old) with an average initial body weight (BW) of 47.6±1.03 g were allocated into six treatments with four replications in 2×3 factorial arrangement. Factors were: PC, normal (N, 22% to d 15); and low (L, 20% to d 15); and added BCAA blends, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine at zero (0L:0I:0V); 1.0, 0.25, and 0.25 (4L:1I:1V); or 1.0, 0.25, 0.75 (4L:1I:3V) g/kg of diet. Hence, six dietary treatments were named as N0L:0I:0V, N4L:1I:1V, N4L:1I:3V, L0L:0I:0V, L4L:1I:1V, and L4L:1I:3V. Average indoor temperature and humidity were 32.8℃±1.7℃ and 61.1%±4.12%, respectively. Results: BW, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass weight were not affected by PC, BCCA and their interaction (p>0.05). The L diets decreased the water holding capacity of the breast (p = 0.002) and thigh (p = 0.050) meats and dressing percentage (p = 0.005) compared to the N diets. The 4L:1I:1V diet decreased breast yield compared to the 0L:0I:0V diets (p = 0.041). The effect of PC on feed intake, mortality and gastrointestinal trait weight were depended on the L:I:V ratios under summer conditions due to interactions between factors (p<0.05). The FI and mortality of L4L:1I:1V broilers were lower than those of N4L:1I:1V birds (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that the blends of BCAAs used failed to improve performance and to promote breast yields, because diets with normal or with reduced protein supplemented or not with BCAAs up to d 15 produced a similar BW and FCR in broilers raised in hot-climate conditions.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.212-221
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• 2024

Objectives: Metabolic disease is strongly associated with future insulin resistance, and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Thus, identifying early biomarkers of metabolic-related disease based on serum profiling is useful to control future metabolic disease. Our study aimed to assess the association of serum branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids (AAAs) ratio and metabolic disease according to body mass index (BMI) status among Korean adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 78 adults aged 20-59 years in Korea. We compared serum amino acid (AA) levels between adults with normal-weight and adults with obesity and investigated biomarkers of metabolic disease. We examined serum AA levels, blood profile, and body composition. We also evaluated the association between serum AAs and metabolic-related disease. Results: The height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip-ratio, body fat mass, body fat percent, skeletal muscle mass, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were higher in the group with obesity compared to normal weight group. The group with obesity showed significantly higher levels of BCAA, AAA, and BCAA and AAA ratio. Further, BCAA and AAA ratio were significantly positively correlated with triglyceride, body weight, and skeletal muscle mass. The evaluation of metabolic disease risks revealed an association between the ratios of BCAAs and AAAs, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: Our study is showed the associations between BCAA and AAA ratio, obesity, and obesity-related diseases using various analytical approaches. The elevated BCAA and AAA ratio could be early biomarkers for predicting future metabolic diseases in Korean population.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.4-14
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• 2003

Maple syrup urine disease or branched chain ketoacidurias caused by a deficiency in activity of the branched-chain ${\alpha}$-keto acid dehydrogenase(BCKD) complex. This metabolic block results in the accumulation of the branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine and valine, and the corresponding branched chain ${\alpha}$-keto acids (BCKAs). Based on the clinical presentation and biochemical responses to thiamine administration, MSUD patients can be divided into five phenotypes : classic, intermediate, intermittent, thiamine responsive and dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase(E3)-deficient. Classic MSUD has a neonatal onset of encephalopathy, and is the most severe ad most common form. Variant forms of MSUD generally have the initial symptoms by 2 years of age. The majority of untreated classic patients die within the early months of life from recurrent metabolic crisis and neurologic deterioration. Treatment involves both longterm dietary management and aggressive intervention during acute metabolic decompensation. We report here our experience of longterm diet therapy and treatment of acute metabolic decompensation of a case of classic MSUD.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.228-235
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• 2021

The amino acids found in plants play important roles in protein biosynthesis, signaling processes, and stress responses, and as components in other biosynthesis pathways. Amino acid degradation helps maintain plant cells' energy states under certain carbon starvation conditions. Branched-chain amino acid transferases (BCATs) play an essential role in the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) such as isoleucine, leucine and valine. In this paper, we performed genome-wide RNA-seq analysis using CsBCAT7-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants. We observed significant changes in genes related to flowering time and genes that are germination-responsive in transgenic plants. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analyses revealed that the expression levels of some BCAA catabolic genes were upregulated in these same transgenic plants, and that this correlated with a delay in their senescence phenotype when the plants were placed in extended darkness conditions. These results suggest a connection between BCAT and the genes implicated in BCAA catabolism.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.106-113
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• 2010

In this study, we compared corn gluten hydrolyzates, BCAAs, and leucine for their effects on body weight reduction in high fat-induced obese rats in order to determine the major active components in the corn gluten hydrolyzates. After obesity was induced for 13 weeks with high fat diet, the overweight-induced SD rats (n = 64) were stratified according to body weight, randomly blocked into eight treatments, and raised for 8 weeks. Four groups were changed to a normal diet and the other groups remained on the high fat diet. Each of the groups within both diets was fed either casein, corn gluten hydrolyzates, leucine, or branched chain amino acids, respectively. Daily food intake, body weight gain, and food efficiency ratio were significantly lower in the corn gluten hydrolyzate groups compared to the other groups, regardless of the high fat diet or normal fat diet. The rats fed the corn gluten hydrolyzates diet had the lowest perirenal fat pad weights whereas muscle weight was significantly increased in the corn gluten hydrolyzates groups. Plasma triglyceride, hepatic total lipid, and total cholesterol contents were significantly reduced in the corn gluten hydrolyzates groups. Other lipid profile measurements were not significantly changed. Plasma triglyceride and hepatic total lipid were also significantly reduced in the BCAA and leucine groups. Leptin levels were significantly lower and adiponectin was significantly higher in the corn gluten hydrolyzates groups. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and HOMA-IR levels were also significantly reduced in the corn gluten hydrozylates groups, regardless of fat level.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.61-71
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• 2023

Purpose : Energy bars are increasingly popular among active individuals, yet their timing and nutrient combinations' impact on exercise adaptation remains unclear. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by investigating whether the combination of pre- and post-workout supplementation can synergistically enhance fitness and alleviate fatigue in trained CrossFit participants. Investigate if combining pre- and post-workout supplements can enhance fitness and blood lactate management in trained CrossFit participants, potentially improving exercise performance for this group. Methods : In a randomized crossover study, 20 trained CrossFit individuals (11 males, 9 females) completed thrice-weekly 60-minute CrossFit sessions for 3 weeks, with a one-week washout period. Participants were randomly assigned to either a chocolate bar group (CH, 45 g, 225 kcal) or an energy bar group (ES, 48 g, 238 kcal, with protein, caffeine, taurine, and BCAAs). For one week, participants consumed two bars of their assigned supplement five minutes before and after workouts. After a washout period, they switched supplements. Blood lactate levels and a visual analog scale (VAS) were assessed before, immediately after, and 30 minutes post-workout. Fitness tests (hand grip, broad jump, sit-ups) were conducted at baseline and 30 minutes post-final workout. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA (p<.05), 95 % confidence intervals, and magnitude inferences. Results : Hand grip strength (t=-5.60, p=.000), broad jump (t=-3.43, p=.003) and sit up (t=-3.94, p=.001) were significantly increased in the ES group. Compared to CH group, there was a significant time and group interactions for blood lactate level (F=5.51, p=.008) and VAS(F=31.67, p=.000) in the ES group. Conclusion : Pre- and post-workout energy bar supplementation may have a beneficial effect on blood lactate clearance and fitness in trained CrossFit individual. The combination of proprietary supplements taken may provide benefits for removing the blood lactate during high-intensity functional exercise.