Branched Chain and Aromatic free Amino Acids in Plasma and Skeletal Muscle of uremic Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis and CAPD

: Plasma and skeletal muscle free amino acids were measured in patients submitted to Hemodialysis (HD) or Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) in order to evaluate the effects of these different dialysis modalities on amino acid pools; the data were compared with those obtained in control subjects and in patients with advanced Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) not submitted to Regular Dialysis Treatment (RDT). Our findings show low intracellular concentrations of VAL, total Branched Chain Amino Acid (BCAA) and TYR in uremic patients treated with CAPD but not in those undergoing HD. The observed differences in muscle amino acid pattern could be well explained by a changed amino acid metabolism regulation in CAPD, possibly related to the sustained hyperinsulinism and to an increased rate of hepatic protein synthesis.