The role and metabolic functions of the branched-chain amino acids: a review

In recent years, a number of new functions branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) - leucine, valine and isoleucine have been revealed in various states the body animals humans. BCAA are involved regulation metabolism not only proteins, but also lipids carbohydrates, maintain health mammary glands intestines, help early implantation development embryos. increase protein synthesis currently considered as feed additives to improve meat productivity pigs. New aspects metabolic regulatory include regularities: 1) insufficient or excessive levels them diet enhances lipolysis; 2) BCAA, especially isoleucine, play an important role glucose utilization by activating transporters intestines muscles; 3) enhance intestine, transport production mucin; 4) innate adaptive immune responses. near future, use high-performance functional genomics, metabolomics, proteomics will make it possible more fully reveal gene expression, synthesis, regulation.