Proceeding of Veterinary and Animal Science Days 2015, 15th- 17th  July,  Milan, Italy 

riviste.unimi.it/index.php/haf 

   

 

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CORRESPONDING AUTHOR 

Valentino Bontempo,  

valentino.bontempo@unimi.it 

 

 

ABSTRACT  

Our study is focused on evaluation and use of the most effective and correct nutrients. In particular, 
our attention is directed to the role of certain amino acids in cachectic patients. 

During parenteral nutrition in humans, physician already associates in the PN-bags different 
formulations including amino acids, lipids and glucose solutions or essential amino acids solution 
alone or exclusively branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). Studies investigated the effects of dietary 
BCAA ingestion on different diseases and conditions such as obesity and metabolic disorders, liver 
disease, muscle atrophy, cancer, impaired immunity or injuries (surgery, trauma, burns, and sepsis). 
BCAAs have been shown to affect gene expression, protein metabolism, apoptosis and regeneration 
of hepatocytes, and insulin resistance. They have also been shown to inhibit the proliferation of liver 
cancer cells in vitro, and are essential for lymphocyte proliferation and dendritic cell maturation. Oral 
or parenteral administration of these three amino acids will allow us to evaluate the real efficacy of 
these compounds during a therapy to treat malnutrition in subjects unable to feed themselves. 

 

 
REFERENCES  
Rajkumar Rajendram, Victor R. Preedy, Vinood B. Patel, Branched Chain Amino Acids in Clinical Nutrition, New York, 
Humana Press, 2015. 

Branched-Chain Amino Acids 

M. Ghiringhelli, F. Acocella, V. Bontempo 

Department of Health, Animal Science and FoodSafety, Università degli 

Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy