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Lack of Effect of Acute Enteral Arginine Infusion on Whole-Body and Intestinal Protein Metabolism in Humans

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Abstract

Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid and exerts anabolic effects. We studied the effects of enteral arginine on whole-body and duodenal protein metabolism. Eight healthy fasted volunteers received randomly a 5-hr enteral infusion of either arginine (Arg; 20 g) or an isonitrogenous amino acid mixture (AA) and an IV infusion of [13C]leucine. Duodenal biopsies were performed. Whole-body protein turnover and duodenal protein synthesis (FSR) were calculated from GC/MS-assessed enrichment. The mRNA levels for major components of proteolytic pathways, ubiquitin, cathepsin D, and m-calpain, were evaluated by RT-PCR. Results were compared using paired Wilcoxon test. Endogenous, oxidative, and nonoxidative leucine fluxes were not different after Arg and AA infusions, respectively. Duodenal mucosal protein FSR (71% ± 26% vs 81% ± 30%/day) and mRNA levels of ubiquitin, cathepsin D, and m-calpain were also similar after Arg and AA infusions. We conclude that in healthy subjects, arginine infusion exerts no effect on whole-body and duodenal protein metabolism. Whether arginine might specifically affect these parameters in catabolic or inflammatory situations remains to be determined.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported in part by grants from the Rouen Hospital for Clinical Research (PHRC régional 2002; 02/060 HP) and from Nutrialis MRT 00 p0708. R.M. was supported by a grant from the French-speaking Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SFNEP). The skillful assistance of Brigitte Maurer (Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, CHU Rouen) for isotope analysis is gratefully acknowledged. The authors thank the Laboratory of Physiology (Pr. Philippe Denis) for13CO2 analysis, the Hospital Pharmacy for isotope preparations (Pr. Philippe Arnaud, Dr. Nathalie Donnadieu), and the Endoscopy Unit of the Gastroenterology Department (Pr. Eric Lerebours) for helpful assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Appareil Digestif, Environnement et Nutrition (ADEN EA 3234), Institut Fédératif de Recherche Multidisciplinaire sur les Peptides (IFR n°23), and CIC-INSERM-CHU, Rouen, France

    Sophie Claeyssens, Stéphane Lecleire, Jonathan Leblond, Rachel Marion, Bernadette Hecketsweiler, Alain Lavoinne, Philippe Ducrotté, Pierre Déchelotte & Moïse Coëffier

  2. Hepato-Gastroenterology and Nutrition Department, University Hospital, 1 rue de Germont, 76031, Rouen Cedex, France

    Stéphane Lecleire

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  1. Sophie Claeyssens
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  2. Stéphane Lecleire
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  3. Jonathan Leblond
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  4. Rachel Marion
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  5. Bernadette Hecketsweiler
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  6. Alain Lavoinne
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  7. Philippe Ducrotté
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  8. Pierre Déchelotte
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  9. Moïse Coëffier
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Correspondence to Stéphane Lecleire.

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The first two authors contributed equally to this work.

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Claeyssens, S., Lecleire, S., Leblond, J. et al. Lack of Effect of Acute Enteral Arginine Infusion on Whole-Body and Intestinal Protein Metabolism in Humans. Dig Dis Sci 52, 1826–1832 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9628-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9628-9

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