Protein & Amino Acid Metabolism

Whole body metabolism

Nitrogen requirement
Recommended protein intake
Protein quality assessment
Essential amino acids
Amino acid catabolism
Disposal of amino nitrogen
Urea cycle
Interorgan nitrogen exchange

In adults, Nitrogen Equilibrium is a Dynamic Steady-State

T1/2 of proteins
minutes for Inducible Enzymes
months/years for Structural Proteins
Whole body turnover is ~ 3 weeks Daily protein synthesis is ~ 250 g
NOTE - this amount is 3-4 x our normal dietary intake
This implies RECYCLING being an important biological process

Concept of Nitrogen Balance

Nitrogen balance is a macro-approach to investigate
body protein metabolism (protein turnover)
Input minus output
input is dietary
output is all sources of loss

Input minus output

= ?
> 0 positive balance
< 0 negative balance
= 0 at equilibrium

Balance Study
Estimate lowest protein intake to maintain N
equilibrium in healthy adults

Outcome of the studies

The amount of N needs to feed to subjects is ~30% higher
than that predicted by the Factorial Method!

Why such a discrepancy?

Methods for determining Amino Acid Requirement

(primarily focusing on the EAAs)
1. Balance study
2. Plasma amino acid level
3. Amino acid oxidation
Balance Study
Diet given contains all essential amino acids (EAA)
except one, then this missing amino acid is added back in small
increments until Nitrogen Balance is achieved
i.e. zero balance for healthy adults
N input = N output

Plasma Amino Acid Level

Concept is similar to that of the balance study, but
plasma amino acid instead of nitrogen balance is monitored.

Point of inflection*

* is a point on a curve at which the curvature changes signs.

However, this method works for some but not all essential amino acids

Indicator Amino Acid Oxidation

This approach is based on the principle that when requirement
is met, essential amino acids in excess will be oxidized for
energy and generating CO2

British J Nutr 108:S22-S30, 2012

Essential (Indispensable) Amino Acids

Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) ILE, LEU, VAL
Aromatic Amino Acids PHE, TRP
LYS
THR
MET (sulfur containing/ methy group)
HIS+
*Neutral amino acids

General Summary
There is a continual catabolism of EAA. This leads to a
continuing need for dietary protein.
Metabolic need < Dietary Requirement < RDA
54
71
91 mg N/day
Average true digestibility of dietary protein is ~90%
Basal N loss is a function of body weight.
When normalized (weight 0.75), this varies little with age.
Nitrogen / protein requirement (per kg body weight) decreases
with age (up to adulthood).
Proportion of EAA needed also decreases with age.

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Note:
1)Compare to 1985 FAO, requirement of some amino
acids are increased in 2007FAO/WHO/UNU.
2)Will requirement be increased further with the IAAO
data?
British J Nutr 108:S22-S30, 2012

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Protein requirement is determined based on the use of a diet

that contains high quality protein.
Translate into daily living, we need MORE protein because
the quality of protein in foods is not always of high quality.
Evaluating Protein Quality
AA score = Amino acid Score

PER = Protein Energy Ratio

NPU = Net Protein Utilization
BV = Biological Value

PER of casein = 2.5

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Absorbed N

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Understanding Nutrition, 2008

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