The Role of Skeletal Muscle and Dietary Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Tumor Glutamine Metabolism in Vivo (1994)

Title:

The Role of Skeletal Muscle and Dietary Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Tumor Glutamine Metabolism in Vivo

Key words:

glutamine metabolism, valine, leucine, isoleucine

Research Institution:

University of Texas at Austin

Location:

Texas

Researcher:

Lauri O Byerley

Project Description:

Based on observations that rapidly growing tumor cells use glutamine as a major energy source, Dr. Byerley investigated what effect this phenomenon has on glutamine metabolism in the whole body. Since glutamine utilization increases the skeletal muscle breakdown, Dr. Byerley investigated whether this may be prevented by a diet high in three branched-chain amino acids: valine, leucine and isoleucine.