Effects of low-dose leucine supplementation on gastrocnemius muscle mitochondrial content and protein turnover in tumor-bearing mice

Many forms of cancer are associated with loss of lean body mass, commonly attributed to decreased protein synthesis and stimulation of proteolytic pathways within the skeletal muscle. Leucine has been shown to improve protein synthesis, insulin signaling, and mitochondrial biogenesis, which are key signaling pathways influenced by tumor signaling. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of leucine supplementation on mitochondrial biogenesis and protein turnover in tumor-bearing mice. Twenty male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 4 groups (n = 5): Chow, leucine (Leu), Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) implant, and LLC+Leu. At 9–10 weeks of age, mice were inoculated and supplemented with 5% leucine (w/w) in the diet. C2C12 myotubes were treated with 2.5 mmol/L leucine and 25% LLC conditioned media to further elucidate the direct influence of the tumor and leucine on the muscle. Measures of protein synthesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and inflammation in the gastrocnemius were assessed via Western blot analysis. Gastrocnemius mass was decreased in LLC+Leu relative to LLC (p = 0.040). Relative protein synthesis rate was decreased in LLC mice (p = 0.001). No change in protein synthesis was observed in myotubes. Phosphorylation of STAT3 was decreased in the Leu group relative to the control in both mice (p = 0.019) and myotubes (p = 0.02), but did not significantly attenuate the inflammatory effect of LLC implantation (p = 0.619). LLC decreased markers of mitochondrial content; however, PGC-1α was increased in LLC+Leu relative to LLC (p = 0.001). While leucine supplementation was unable to preserve protein synthesis or mitochondrial content associated with LLC implantation, it was able to increase mitochondrial biogenesis signaling. Novelty This study provides novel insights on the effect of leucine supplementation on mitochondrial biogenesis and protein turnover in tumor-bearing mice. Leucine increased signaling for mitochondrial biogenesis in the skeletal muscle. Leucine supplementation decreased inflammatory signaling in skeletal muscle.