Leucine

Leucine is utilized in the [|liver], [|adipose tissue] , and [|muscle tissue]. In adipose and muscle tissue, leucine is used in the formation of [|sterols], and the combined usage of leucine in these two tissues is seven times greater than its use in the liver.[|[4]] Leucine is the only dietary amino acid that has the capacity to stimulate muscle protein synthesis.[|[5]] As a dietary supplement, leucine has been found to slow the degradation of muscle tissue by increasing the synthesis of muscle proteins in aged rats.[|[6]] While once seen as an important part of the three branch chained amino acids in sports supplements, leucine has since earned more attention on its own as a catalyst for muscle growth and muscular insurance. Supplement companies once marketed the "ideal" 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, iso-leucine and valine; but with furthered evidence that leucine is the most important amino acid for muscle building, it has become much more popular as the primary ingredient in dietary supplements.[|[7]] Leucine potently activates the [|mammalian target of rapamycin] [|kinase] that regulates [|cell growth]. Infusion of leucine into the rat brain has been shown to decrease food intake and body weight via activation of the mTOR pathway.[|[8]] Leucine toxicity, as seen in decompensated [|Maple Syrup Urine Disease] (MSUD), causes [|delirium] and neurologic compromise, and can be life-threatening. In yeast genetics, mutants with a defective gene for leucine synthesis (leu2) are transformed with a plasmid that contains a working leucine synthesis gene (LEU2) and grown on minimal media. Leucine synthesis then becomes a useful selectable marker.
 * Leucine ** (abbreviated as ** Leu ** or ** L ** ) [|[2]] is a [|branched-chain] α- [|amino acid] with the [|chemical formula] HO2CCH(NH2)CH2CH(CH3)2. Leucine is classified as a [|hydrophobic] amino acid due to its [|aliphatic] [|isobutyl] side chain. It is [|encoded] by six [|codons] (UUA, UUG, CUU, CUC, CUA, and CUG) and is a major component of the subunits in [|ferritin], [|astacin] and other 'buffer' [|proteins] . Leucine is an [|essential amino acid].

Leucine is an amino acid that is frequently used as an energy source for muscles in the body. All amino acids are essentially building blocks of protein, and leucine plays an important role in the function of the immune system to protect and repair muscles. Leucine is found in protein-rich foods like dairy and red meat. It can also be found inbrown  rice , beans, nuts and whole wheat. It can be used to boost active productivity and also provides health benefits.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Many people who are physically active use leucine to boost gains in muscle mass. Leucine can promote muscle recovery, and it also protects muscle tissue from breaking down. Leucine is also used by athletes to prevent muscle loss and is known to increase the growth hormone production in our bodies. Leucine is also helpful in enhancing energy levels and endurance in active people since it increases fuel for muscle cells.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Therapeutic Use

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Leucine is a great protein for wound recovery of both the skin and bones. It provides protection for muscle tissue and helps to stimulate protein synthesis. Athletes who are older in age should take into consideration that as you age, your muscle tends to shrink, and leucine can help prevent breaks and fractures.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Leucine can be obtained from food products or supplements and is essential to avoiding muscle breakdown as well as increasing energy and endurance. In addition, leucine may also stimulate insulin release and stabilize or lower blood sugar levels. Leucine is used by people both during exercise as well as during rest for optimal sustainability of muscle mass.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Leucine as a Treatment
<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Since leucine has been linked to the repair of muscles, it is often thought of as a good dietary supplement for people suffering from liver disorders, allergies or chronic renal failure in addition to other diseases and disorders that relate to muscle weakness and wasting. Leucine might also be able to help with the treatment of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) because it helps to build muscle strength.

=<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Painkiller =

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Since leucine helps to lower the breakdown levels of our body's natural pain killers, it seems that leucine might even act as a painkiller for some people suffering from disorders and diseases. Since it has proven to be successful at reducing muscle wasting, it is also known to relieve those who are bedridden and who suffer from muscle breakdown and sores.

Biosynthesis
As an essential amino acid, leucine is unable to be synthesised by animals. Consequently, it must be ingested, usually as a component of proteins. In plants and microorganisms, leucine is synthesised from [|pyruvic acid] by a series of enzymes: [|[3]]


 * [|Acetolactate synthase]
 * Acetohydroxy acid isomero [|reductase]
 * [|Dihydroxyacid dehydratase]
 * α-Isopropylmalate [|synthase]
 * α-Isopropylmalate [|isomerase]
 * Leucine [|aminotransferase]

Synthesis of the small, hydrophobic amino acid [|Valine] also includes the initial part of this pathway.

Chemical properties
Leucine is a [|branched-chain amino acid] (BCAA) since it possesses an [|aliphatic] side-chain that is non-linear. [|Racemic] leucine had been subjected to circularly polarized [|synchrotron radiation] in order to better understand the origin of biomolecular asymmetry. An enantiomeric enhancement of 2.6 % had been induced, indicating a possible photochemical origin of biomolecules' [|homochirality].