RELATIVE NUTRITIONAL EFFICACY OF ARGININE AND ORNITHINE SALTS OF ALPHA-KETOISOCAPROIC ACID IN TRAUMATIZED RATS

The relative dietary efficacy of arginine alpha-ketoisocaproate (AKIC) and ornithine alpha-ketoisocaproate (OKIC) 'is evaluated in a rat (Sp rague-Dawley) trauma (bilateral femur fracture) model. Both control an d traumatized rats were starved for 2 d and then pair-fed for 2 or 4 d one of three liquid diets: diet 1 was a basic casein diet; diets 2 an d 3 were the basic diet in which 10% of nitrogen was replaced by AKIC or OKIC nitrogen, respectively. Irrespective of the diet, the protein- efficiency ratio, defined as the gain in body weight per grams nitroge n consumed, was 27% less in traumatized rats than in control rats. Mor e improvement in apparent nitrogen balance, particularly in traumatize d rats, was seen with the AKIC supplement. Plasma amino acid patterns demonstrated stimulation of net protein synthesis with AKIC and not wi th OKIC. Dietary supplementation with AKIC may be beneficial to promot e nitrogen economy in trauma victims.