Serum branched-chain amino and keto acid response to a protein-rich meal in man.

In 8 healthy volunteers blood levels of branched-chain amino (BCAA) and keto acids (BCKA) were determined in response to a protein-rich meal. Serum concentrations of leucine, isoleucine, valine, alpha-ketoisocaproic acid and alpha-keto-beta-methyl-n-valeric acid increased within 30 min and continued to rise throughout the observation. Only the keto analog of valine remained unaffected. As the BCAA increased significantly more percentagewise than their keto analogs, the ratios between amino and keto acids became augmented. It is suggested that (1) augmentation of keto acids may reflect transamination of amino acids rather than intestinal uptake; (2) the overall capacity of the organism for decarboxylation of ketovaline is greater than for the other keto acids, and (3) augmentation of the ratio between BCAA and BCKA may favor the storage of amino acids from the protein load into the body's protein stores.