Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The possible role of leucine in modulating glucose homeostasis under distinct catabolic conditions

Full text
Author(s):
Zanchi, Nelo Eidy [1] ; Guimaraes-Ferreira, Lucas [2] ; Siqueira-Filho, Mario Alves ; Gabriel Camporez, Joao Paulo ; Nicastro, Humberto [3] ; Seixas Chaves, Daniela Fojo [3] ; Campos-Ferraz, Patricia [3] ; Lancha, Jr., Antonio Herbert [3] ; de Oliveira Carvalho, Carla Roberta
Total Authors: 9
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Intracellular Signaling Insulin & Hormones, Lab 121, Dept Physiol & Biophys, Inst Biomed Sci, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Exercise Metab Res Grp, Vitoria, ES - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Appl Nutr & Metab, Phys Educ & Sports Sch, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Medical Hypotheses; v. 79, n. 6, p. 883-888, DEC 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 8
Abstract

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) (especially leucine) have been shown to activate protein synthesis pathways, decrease proteolysis and increase insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, it appears that leucine can be used as a nutritional therapy to avoid sarcopenia and skeletal muscle atrophy due to immobilization or glucocorticoid treatment. However, it is of note that all of these conditions are related to insulin resistance to varying degrees and affect different tissues, particularly skeletal muscle. Additionally, evidence from recent studies demonstrate that a combination of protein containing high levels of leucine with nutrients containing saturated fatty acids or an excess of leucine are capable of inducing insulin resistance. From this discussion, a few major questions arise. First, what is the role of a combination of macronutrients in inducing insulin resistance? Second, in insulin resistance, does leucine supplementation follow the same path observed under healthy conditions? Finally, what are the dose-dependent outcome and the latency of leucine effect under such conditions? The present article discusses these questions based on data from the literature and experiments performed by our group. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)