Effect of parenteral administration of short-chain triglycerides on leucine metabolism

James W. Bailey, John M. Miles, Morey W. Haymond

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present studies investigated the effects of intravenous administration of the short-chain triglyceride triacetin on leucine metabolism in dogs. Animals received infusions of triacetin at 1.0 x estimated resting energy expenditure (REE), hyperenergetic triacetin at 1.5 x REE, glycerol, or saline during infusion of [1-14C]leucine. During both triacetin infusions, plasma α-ketoisocaproate concentrations increased (P < 0.05). During triacetin infusion at 1.5 REE, the plasma leucine concentration decreased (P < 0.05) and leucine rate of appearance decreased by ≈19% (P < 0.05); this was significantly greater than the changes that occurred during triacetin at 1.0 x REE and glycerol (P < 0.05). There was no difference in leucine oxidation between the dogs given triacetin at 1.0 x REE and control groups whereas leucine oxidation decreased by 53% during triacetin infusion at 1.5 x REE (P < 0.05). Nonoxidative leucine disappearance, an indicator of protein synthesis, did not change in any of the studies. These results indicate that triacetin has effects on leucine metabolism similar to those previously reported with long-chain triglyceride emulsions. Because of its water solubility, lack of toxicity, and favorable effects on protein metabolism, further studies are warranted regarding the use of triacetin as a parenteral nutrient.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)912-916
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume58
Issue number6
StatePublished - Dec 1993

Keywords

  • Acetate
  • Dogs
  • Fatty acid
  • Leucine
  • Lipid metabolism
  • Parenteral nutrition
  • Triacetin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)

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