Figure 2. Plasma leucine levels and molecular changes induced by leucine supplementation in HFD-fed mice.

(A) Plasma amino acids and (B) acylcarnitines deriving from leucine metabolism measured during the fed state in HFD-fed mice supplemented or not with leucine in drinking water (n = 9 per group). (C and E) mRNA expression levels of several markers of mitochondrial activity, fatty-acid metabolism and adrenergic β-receptor subtypes in the BAT (C) and WAT (E) of HFD-fed mice supplemented or not with leucine in drinking water (n = 5 per group). (D) Protein expression of UCP-3 in the BAT of HFD-fed mice supplemented or not with leucine in drinking water (n = 5 per group), β-actin loading control. C5: isovalerylcarnitine; C5-OH (C3-DC-M): hydroxyl-isovalerylcarnitine; C5-MDC: methylglutarylcarnitine; FC: fold change. ^* p<0.05 vs. HFD-water group.