Protein Turnover in Malnourished Elderly Subjects: The Effects of Refeeding

• Published in: Age and ageing Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 235 - 240
• Main Authors: BEAUMONT, D., LEHMANN, A. B., JAMES, O. F. W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.07.1989; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Body Weight; Diet; Dietary Proteins - administration & dosage; Dietary Proteins - metabolism; Elderly; Food and nutrition; Humans; Leucine - metabolism; Male; Medical research; Metabolism; Nutrition Disorders - metabolism; Nutrition disorders in old age; Older people; Protein synthesis; Proteins; Sex Factors; Synthesis
• ISSN: 0002-0729; 1468-2834
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/18.4.235

A primed constant-rate infusion of L-(l-14C)-leucine was used to assess protein flux, synthesis, and breakdown in a group of malnourished elderly subects (n = 9) and a group of age-matched healthy elderly control subjects (n = 9). No significant differences between the two groups were observed in measures of protein metabolism. Four out of six malnourished subjects, restudied after a period of dietary replenishment, showed non-significant increases in protein synthesis and breakdown. Plasma insulin concentrations were significantly suppressed (p < 0.05) and plasma growth hormone and cortisol concentrations significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in the malnourished subjects before and after refeeding compared with the healthy elderly controls.