Daniel Gustave Sapir

US Patent:

46771212, Jun 30, 1987

Filed:

Oct 31, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/793724

Inventors:

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.