Dietary protein intake and dynamic aspects of whole body nitrogen metabolism in adult humans

The constant isotope-infusion method of Picou and Taylor-Roberts was used to study rates of total body protein synthesis and breakdown in adult subjects following acute changes in the level of dietary protein intake. Six healthy adults, four males and two females, were studied after adaptation to dietary protein intakes of 1.5 and 0.38 g of protein/kilogram body weight/day. Dietary periods were from 7 to 15 days duration. 15N-glycine was used as a tracer, and was administered orally for 60 hr at 3-hr intervals, or by continuous intravenous infusion for 48 hr. Results were similar for both routes of isotope administration for the comparison conducted at the higher protein intake. At the 1.5-g protein level the mean N flux was 28.2 mg nitrogen/kg/hr, with total body protein ( N × 6.25) synthesis and breakdown rates being 3.0 g/kg/day and 2.7 g/kg/day, respectively. Reducing the protein intake to 0.38 g/kg/day caused an 8% decrease ( p < 0.05) in N flux, a 27% increase ( p < 0.005) in the rate of total body protein breakdown, and a 15% increase ( p < 0.05) in the rate of protein synthesis. Endogenous amino acids were reutilized more efficiently under these conditions. The findings are discussed in relation to the way in which adult subjects adapt to acute changes in dietary protein intake.