Changes

==1. What are Branched-Chain Amino Acids?==

==1. What are Branched-Chain Amino Acids?==

The branched-chain amino acids (i.e., leucine, isoleucine and valine) are essential dietary amino acids for dogs and cats. Leucine is ketogenic; valine is gluconeogenic; and isoleucine is both ketogenic and gluconeogenic. Dietary branched-chain amino acids are absorbed by a neutral amino acid transporter in the small intestine (particularly the jejunum) and plasma branched-chain amino acids are actively reabsorbed in the proximal tubule of the kidney.

The branched-chain amino acids (i.e., leucine, isoleucine and valine) are '''essential dietary amino acids for dogs and cats'''. Leucine is ketogenic; valine is gluconeogenic; and isoleucine is both ketogenic and gluconeogenic. Dietary branched-chain amino acids are absorbed by a neutral amino acid transporter in the small intestine (particularly the jejunum) and plasma branched-chain amino acids are actively reabsorbed in the proximal tubule of the kidney.

==2. Why are they Important?==

==2. Why are they Important?==

Branched-chain amino acids are structural components of protein. The hydrophobic side chains of branched-chain amino acids induce inward folding of protein structures.

Branched-chain amino acids are '''structural components of protein'''. The hydrophobic side chains of branched-chain amino acids induce inward folding of protein structures.

Severe liver disease may result in decrease plasma branched-chain amino acid concentrations relative to aromatic amino acids, and this is thought to play a role in the clinical signs of hepatic encephalopathy<ref>Strombeck DR and Rogers Q. Plasma amino acid concentrations in dogs with hepatic disease. JAVMA 1978; 178;93-96.</ref><ref>Meyer HP, et al. Effects of a branched-chain amino acid-enriched diet on chronic hepatic encephalopathy in dogs. Metab Br Dis 1999;14:103-110.</ref>. However, the clinical impact of attempting to alter amino acid balance favouring branched-chain amino acids in animals with hepatic encephalopathy is unknown.  

Severe liver disease may result in decreased plasma branched-chain amino acid concentrations relative to aromatic amino acids, and this is thought to play a role in the clinical signs of hepatic encephalopathy<ref>Strombeck DR and Rogers Q. Plasma amino acid concentrations in dogs with hepatic disease. JAVMA 1978; 178;93-96.</ref><ref>Meyer HP, et al. Effects of a branched-chain amino acid-enriched diet on chronic hepatic encephalopathy in dogs. Metab Br Dis 1999;14:103-110.</ref>. However, the clinical impact of attempting to alter amino acid balance favouring branched-chain amino acids in animals with hepatic encephalopathy is unknown.  

==3. Roles in the Body==

==3. Roles in the Body==