Alanine-induced amino acid interrelationships.

Six normal subjects received 10 g of alanine both orally and as a 60-min intravenous infusion. In both studies blood samples for hormones and substrates were obtained every thirty minutes for 2 1/2 hour. Significant increases in whole blood levels of threonine, serine, glutamine, proline, glycine, and alpha-amino-n-butyric acid were found, which were mainly due to increases of these amino acids in the plasma compartment. In contrast, whole blood levels of leucine, valine, and isoleucine declined, mainly due to increases in the cell compartment. Plasma glucagon levels increased in both studies while insulin levels rose significantly only during the oral study. Plasma free fatty acids and blood glycerol levels declined while lactate and pyruvate increased. Glucose concentration did not change during both tests. These data suggest that the administration of large quantities of alanine is capable of inducing significant alterations in levels of other amino acids and substrates as well as changing hormone levels.