Potential Role of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Catabolism in Regulating Fat Oxidation

In Brief Insulin-resistant or obese individuals have increased serum branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels. Recent findings relate increased BCAA catabolism to increased fatty acid oxidation and better metabolic health in physically active individuals. We hypothesize that, via glyceroneogenesis, BCAA catabolism mediates increased constitutive use of fatty acids for β-oxidation in subjects with increased inherent or acquired aerobic capacity both during exercise and at rest. This article presents the hypothesis that skeletal muscle BCAA catabolism mediates increased constitutive use of fatty acids for β-oxidation.