<prompt> Branched chain amino acidsAre normally completely catabolised by muscle to CO2 and H2OCan be catabolised by liver but not muscleAre the main dietary amino acids metabolized by intestineAre a major source of nitrogen for alanine and glutamine produced in muscle  <response>: Alanine released from the muscle is the major substrate for gluconeogenesis Fig. 9.29. Fig. 9.33. Hormonal regulation of gluconeogenesis i. Alanine is transpoed to liver, transaminated to pyruvate and conveed to glucose. This glucose may again enter the glycolytic pathway to form pyruvate, which in turn, can be transaminated to alanine. ii. Glucose-alanine cycle is impoant in conditions of starvation Fig. 9.30. Thus net transfer of amino acid nitrogen from muscle to liver and corresponding transfer of glucose energy from liver to muscle is effected. iii. Alanine cycle is intimately related with Cori;s cycleRef: DM Vasudevan - Textbook of Biochemistry, 6th edition, page no: 105 