ABSTRACT
Aspartame is approximately 40% by weight aspartic acid. Thus it is appropriate to review aspartate metabolism when considering aspartame. The dicarboxylic amino acids, glutamate and aspartate, occupy unique positions in intermediary metabolism. Relatively high levels of these amino acids are found in the various body tissues. Aspartate enters metabolism in a similar manner. Its major route of entry is via transamination with other a -ketoacids to produce oxaloacetate. Aspartate enters metabolism in a similar manner. Its major route of entry is via transamination with other a -ketoacids to produce oxaloacetate. Human milk also contains large quantities of these amino acids. When normal subjects ingest a beverage providing no protein, plasma valine levels remain unchanged or decrease slightly. It has been suggested that carbohydrate-induced insulin release might account for the effect of carbohydrate on portal plasma glutamate concentration. The increased portal plasma aspartate concentrations noted after glutamate administration arise from mucosal cell glutamate metabolism.
