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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Long-term leucine supplementation reduces fat mass gain without changing body protein status of aging rats

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Author(s):
Vianna, Daiana [1] ; Teodoro Resende, Gabriela Fulin [1] ; Torres-Leal, Francisco Leonardo [1] ; Pantaleao, Lucas Carminatti [1] ; Donato, Jr., Jose [2] ; Tirapegui, Julio [1]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Food & Expt Nutr, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Texas SW Med Ctr Dallas, Dept Internal Med, Div Hypothalam Res, Dallas, TX 75390 - USA
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: NUTRITION; v. 28, n. 2, p. 182-189, FEB 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 27
Abstract

Objective: Aging is characterized by alterations in body composition such as an increase in body fat and decreases in muscle mass (sarcopenia) and bone density (osteopenia). Leucine supplementation has been shown to acutely stimulate protein synthesis and to decrease body fat. However, the long-term effect of consistent leucine supplementation is not well defined. This study investigated the effect of leucine supplementation during aging. Methods: Six-month-old rats were divided into three groups: an adult group (n = 10) euthanized at 6 mo of age, a leucine group (n = 16) that received a diet supplemented with 4% leucine for 40 wk, and a control group (n = 19) that received the control diet for 40 wk. The following parameters were evaluated: body weight, food intake, chemical carcass composition, indicators of acquired chronic diseases, and indicators of protein nutritional status. Results: Body weight and fat were lower in the leucine group after 40 wk of supplementation compared with the control group but still higher than in the adult group. The lipid and glycemic profiles were equally altered in the control and leucine groups because of aging. In addition, leucine supplementation did not affect the changes in protein status parameters associated with aging, such as decreases in body and muscle protein and total serum protein. Conclusion: The results indicate that leucine supplementation attenuates body fat gain during aging but does not affect risk indicators of acquired chronic diseases. Furthermore, supplemented animals did not show signs of a prevention of the decrease in lean mass associated with aging. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)