Abstract MP125: Branched-chain Keto Acids, Not Branched-chain Amino Acids, Impairs Cardiac Insulin Sensitivity by Disrupting Insulin Signaling in the Mitochondria

2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qutuba Karwi ◽  
Golam Mezbah Uddin ◽  
Cory S Wagg ◽  
Gary D Lopaschuk

Alterations in branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) oxidation have been linked to the development of cardiac insulin resistance and its negative impact on cardiac function. However, it is not clear if these detrimental effects are due to the accumulation of BCAAs or branched-chain keto acids (BCKAs). It is also unknown how impaired BCAAs oxidation mediates cardiac insulin resistance. To examine this, we specifically deleted mitochondrial branched-chain aminotransferase (BCATm) in the heart to selectively increase in BCAAs and decrease in BCKAs in the heart. BCATm -/- mice had normal cardiac function compared to their wildtype littermates (WT Cre+/+ ). However, there was a significant increase in insulin-stimulated cardiac glucose oxidation rates in BCATm -/- mice, independent of any changes in glucose uptake or glycolytic rates. This enhancement in cardiac insulin sensitivity was associated with an increase in the phosphorylation of Akt and activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), the rate-limiting enzyme of glucose oxidation. To determine the impact of reversing these events, we examined the effects of increasing cardiac BCKAs on cardiac insulin sensitivity. We perfused isolated working mice hearts with high levels of BCKAs (α;-keto-isocaproate 80 μM, α;-keto-β;-methylvalorate 100μM, α;-keto-isovalorate 70 μM), levels that can be seen during diabetes and obesity. The BCKAs completely blunted insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation rates. We also found that BCKAs abolished insulin-stimulated mitochondrial translocation of Akt, an effect which was associated with PDH deactivation. We conclude that the accumulation of BCKAs, and not BCAAs, is a major contributor to cardiac insulin resistance via abrogating mitochondrial translocation of Akt.

Hepatology ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 324-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Base ◽  
Carl Barsigian ◽  
Alisa Schaeffer ◽  
Ellen Shaw ◽  
Jose Martinez ◽  
...  

1978 ◽  
Vol 235 (1) ◽  
pp. E47
Author(s):  
W E Mitch ◽  
W Chan

Isolated rat kidney perfused without substrate released serine, glycine, and taurine, and substantially smaller amounts of other amino acids. When branched-chain keto acids were added, the corresponding amino acids were released at rates amounting to 15-25% of keto acid disappearance. Perfusion with 2 mM alpha-keto-isovalerate or alpha-keto-beta-methylvalerate caused an increased glucose release amounting to 18-23% of keto acid disappearance. The activity of branched-chain amino acid transferase (BATase) was significantly stimulated by perfusion with the analogue of leucine, but not by perfusion with alpha-ketoglutarate, the analogues of valine or isoleucine, or with leucine itself. These findings document that the kidney converts branched-chain keto acids in part to the corresponding amino acids and suggest that the keto analogue of leucine may be involved in the control of renal BATase activity, thereby indirectly regulating the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 529-529
Author(s):  
Chaitra Surugihalli ◽  
Vaishna Muralidaran ◽  
Kruti Patel ◽  
Tabitha Gregory ◽  
Nishanth Sunny

Abstract Objectives Elevated circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) during insulin resistance are strong predictors of type 2 diabetes mellitus onset. Defects in BCAA degradation are evident in several tissues during insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Furthermore, alterations in BCAA metabolism are associated with changes in several aspects lipid metabolism, including lipogenesis, ketogenesis and mitochondrial TCA cycle activity. Considering the crosstalk between BCAAs and lipid metabolism, we hypothesized that chronic supplementation of BCAAs will modulate hepatic insulin resistance and mitochondrial lipid oxidation during NAFLD. Methods Mice (C57BL/6N) were reared on either a low-fat (LF; 10% fat kcal), high-fat (HF; 60% fat kcal or high-fat diet supplemented with BCAA (HFBA; 150% BCAA) for 24 weeks. Metabolic profiling was conducted under fed or overnight fasted (14–16 hrs) conditions. A subset of overnight fasted mice from the HF and HFBA groups were subjected to hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps, following implantation of jugular vein catheters. Results Feeding HF and HFBA diets resulted in NAFLD. Circulating BCAAs were higher in ‘fed’ mice consuming HFBA diet (e.g., Valine, µM ± SEM; 311 ± 38 in HF, 432 ± 34 in HFBA, P ≤ 0.05). Overnight fasting significantly reduced BCAA levels in all groups, but the fasting levels of BCAAs remained similar between groups. Fed-to-fasted fold changes in blood glucose, serum insulin and c-peptide were higher in HFBA mice (P ≤ 0.05). Insulin stimulated suppression of glucose production (% ± SEM; HF = 38 ± 11, HFBA = 16 ± 16) was blunted in HFBA mice.  Furthermore, fed-to-fasted expression of hepatic genes involved in lipid oxidation, including LCAD, MCAD, PPARa and CPT1a were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in the HFBA mice. Conclusions In summary, chronic BCAA supplementation induced hepatic lipid oxidation gene expression, without any apparent improvements in insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, while the induction of lipid oxidation by BCAAs could explain certain beneficial effects associated with their supplementation, the longer-term impact of the BCAAs on insulin sensitivity need to be further explored. Funding Sources National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant RO1-DK-112865


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemarie Rietman ◽  
Takara L. Stanley ◽  
Clary Clish ◽  
Vamsi Mootha ◽  
Marco Mensink ◽  
...  

AbstractPlasma branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are elevated in obesity and associated with increased cardiometabolic risk. β-Aminoisobutyric acid (B-AIBA), a recently identified small molecule metabolite, is associated with decreased cardiometabolic risk. Therefore, we investigated the association of BCAA and B-AIBA with each other and with detailed body composition parameters, including abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). A cross-sectional study was carried out with lean (n 15) and obese (n 33) men and women. Detailed metabolic evaluations, including measures of body composition, insulin sensitivity and plasma metabolomics were completed. Plasma BCAA were higher (1·6 (se 0·08) (×107) v. 1·3 (se 0·06) (×107) arbitrary units; P = 0·005) in obese v. lean subjects. BCAA were positively associated with VAT (R 0·49; P = 0·0006) and trended to an association with SAT (R 0·29; P = 0·052). The association between BCAA and VAT, but not SAT, remained significant after controlling for age, sex and race on multivariate modelling (P < 0·05). BCAA were also associated with parameters of insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index: R −0·50, P = 0·0004; glucose AUC: R 0·53, P < 0·001). BCAA were not associated with B-AIBA (R −0·04; P = 0·79). B-AIBA was negatively associated with SAT (R −0·37; P = 0·01) but only trended to an association with VAT (R 0·27; P = 0·07). However, neither relationship remained significant after multivariate modelling (P > 0·05). Plasma B-AIBA was associated with parameters of insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index R 0·36, P = 0·01; glucose AUC: R −0·30, P = 0·04). Plasma BCAA levels were positively correlated with VAT and markers of insulin resistance. The results suggest a possible complex role of adipose tissue in BCAA homeostasis and insulin resistance.


Metabolites ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Holeček

In hyperammonemic states, such as liver cirrhosis, urea cycle disorders, and strenuous exercise, the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs; leucine, isoleucine, and valine) is activated and BCAA concentrations decrease. In these conditions, BCAAs are recommended to improve mental functions, protein balance, and muscle performance. However, clinical trials have not demonstrated significant benefits of BCAA-containing supplements. It is hypothesized that, under hyperammonemic conditions, enhanced glutamine availability and decreased BCAA levels facilitate the amination of branched-chain keto acids (BCKAs; α-ketoisocaproate, α-keto-β-methylvalerate, and α-ketoisovalerate) to the corresponding BCAAs, and that BCKA supplementation may offer advantages over BCAAs. Studies examining the effects of ketoanalogues of amino acids have provided proof that subjects with hyperammonemia can effectively synthesize BCAAs from BCKAs. Unfortunately, the benefits of BCKA administration have not been clearly confirmed. The shortcoming of most reports is the use of mixtures intended for patients with renal insufficiency, which might be detrimental for patients with liver injury. It is concluded that (i) BCKA administration may decrease ammonia production, attenuate cataplerosis, correct amino acid imbalance, and improve protein balance and (ii) studies specifically investigating the effects of BCKA, without the interference of other ketoanalogues, are needed to complete the information essential for decisions regarding their suitability in hyperammonemic conditions.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document