Enhanced leucine oxidation in rats bearing an ascites hepatoma (Yoshida AH-130) and its reversal by clenbuterol

The growth of the rat ascites hepatoma Yoshida AH-130 causes marked tissue protein hypercatabolism and alterations of the hormonal homeostasis in the host. After a single intravenous tracer dose of l-[1-14C]leucine in vivo, 14CO2 release by tumour-bearing rats is significantly elevated with respect to the controls. Treatment of the tumour hosts with a β-adrenergic agonist (clenbuterol) is able to prevent either the depletion of the skeletal muscle mass or the enhanced whole-body leucine oxidation. Incubation of soleus muscles in the presence of l-[1-14C]leucine indicates an increased ability of the muscle obtained from the tumour hosts to utilize the amino acid for oxidation. Similarly to what is observed in vivo, clenbuterol administration exerts a protective effect reducing the rate of leucine oxidation to the control levels.