Leucine metabolism in rat liver after a bolus injection of endotoxin.

To evaluate the contribution of hepatic tissue to alterations in the metabolism of proteins and the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine, and valine in systemic inflammatory response syndrome, we studied the changes of leucine metabolism in isolated perfused liver (IPL) of endotoxin-treated rats. Male albino rats were injected with the endotoxin of Salmonella enteritidis (5 mg x kg(-1)) or saline (control). Four hours later, leucine and ketoisocaproate (KIC) oxidation and incorporation into liver proteins were determined in IPL using the single-pass liver perfusion technique. L-[1-(14)C]leucine and alpha-keto[1-(14)C]isocaproic acid were used as a tracer in two separate experiments. Endotoxin treatment resulted in a decrease of plasma BCAA levels, an increase of leucine oxidation, and a decrease of KIC oxidation by IPL. Leucine incorporation into liver proteins was lower in endotoxin-treated rats, and we did not find measurable incorporation of the labeled carbon of KIC in liver proteins in either group of animals. The sum of individual amino acid concentrations in the effluent perfusate was higher in endotoxin-treated animals, although only leucine and phenylalanine increased significantly. The decrease in KIC oxidation indicates a decreased capacity of hepatic tissue to oxidize branched-chain ketoacids (BCKA). The increase in leucine oxidation by IPL of endotoxin-treated rats indicates an increase in BCAA aminotransferase activity. These changes demonstrate an important response of the body that enables the resynthesis of essential BCAA from their ketoanalogs delivered to the liver from peripheral tissues, particularly muscle.