Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a leucine metabolite with protein anabolic effects. We examined the effects of an HMB-enriched diet in healthy rats and rats with liver cirrhosis induced by multiple doses of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). HMB increased branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs; valine, leucine and isoleucine) in blood and BCAA and ATP in muscles of healthy animals. The effect on muscle mass and protein content was insignificant. In CCl4-treated animals alterations characteristic of liver cirrhosis were found with decreased ratio of the BCAA to aromatic amino acids in blood and lower muscle mass and ATP content when compared with controls. In CCl4-treated animals consuming HMB, we observed higher mortality, lower body weight, higher BCAA levels in blood plasma, higher ATP content in muscles, and lower ATP content and higher cathepsin B and L activities in the liver when compared with CCl4-treated animals without HMB. We conclude that (1) HMB supplementation has a positive effect on muscle mitochondrial function and enhances BCAA concentrations in healthy animals and (2) the effects of HMB on the course of liver cirrhosis in CCl4-treated rats are detrimental. Further studies examining the effects of HMB in other models of hepatic injury are needed to determine pros and cons of HMB in the treatment of subjects with liver cirrhosis.

• Klíčová slova
• branched-chain amino acids, hepatic cachexia, insulin resistance, leucine, liver cirrhosis,
• MeSH
• chlorid uhličitý metabolismus   MeSH
• jaterní cirhóza metabolismus   MeSH
• játra účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• kosterní svaly účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• leucin metabolismus   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• potravní doplňky MeSH
• valeráty farmakologie   MeSH
• větvené aminokyseliny metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• beta-hydroxyisovaleric acid MeSH Prohlížeč
• chlorid uhličitý MeSH
• leucin MeSH
• valeráty MeSH
• větvené aminokyseliny MeSH