Mackenzie Walser - Ruxton MD Daniel G. Sapir - Baltimore MD Peter M. Stewart - Sydney, AU
Assignee:
The Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore MD
International Classification:
A61K 31195
US Classification:
514561
Abstract:
Muscle protein breakdown or degradation may be reduced or inhibited in mammals, particularly humans recovering from surgery or suffering from a muscle wasting disorder, by administering daily doses of alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (ketoleucine) or an appropriate salt of the acid. Seventy millimoles per day of sodium alpha-ketoisocaproate administered for five days after major abdominal surgery was found to significantly reduce urinary 3-methylhistidine/creatinine, which is a measure of muscle protein breakdown, and thereby to improve nitrogen balance.