β-hydoxy-β-methylbutyrate supplementation affects Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats in a time-dependent manner

Background Et aims: Cancer cachexia affects intermediary metabolism with intense and general catabolism. Walker 256 tumor is a model injected either subcutaneously (Sc) or intraperitoneally (lp), with different metabolic features. beta-Hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HM beta) is a leucine metabolite with anti-catabolic properties, the aim of this study being to investigate its effects on metabolic parameters in both tumor models. Methods: Controls (subcutaneous control group (ScC) and intraperitoneal control group (lpC)) and supplemented animals (subcutaneous supplemented group (ScS) and intraperitoneal supplemented group (lpS)) showed these results. Results: Protein Sc values were (47.8%) lower than lp groups. Sc group fat content was (65.16%) higher than lp groups. Liver glycogen value for Sc groups was (38.4%) higher than lp groups. Muscle glycogen value for Sc groups were (2.75 times) higher than lp groups. Corticosterone and insulin values were tower (44.53%) and higher (45.94%), respectively, in Sc when compared with lp groups. Glucose and lactate values for ScS were the lowest (61.7% and 41.53%) compared to other groups. ScC glutamine value was the highest (40.8%) of all groups. Glutamate Sc values were (42.65%) tower than lp groups. Sc groups showed greater survival time compared with lp groups. ScS group showed 100% increase in survival time when compared with ScC. Conclusions: HM beta supplementation can increase survival time and promotes metabolic changes in cancer-bearing animals, but it seems to work in a time-dependent manner. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.