The intracellular concentrations of essential amino acids (EAA) in muscle are maintained relatively constant under a variety of conditions. However, the effect of a decrease in blood amino acid concentrations on intracellular concentrations is not clear. Similarly, the relation between intracellular and interstitial concentrations has not been determined in this circumstance. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of hypoaminoacidemia on intracellular, interstitial and plasma concentrations of EAA, and the mechanisms responsible for the respective changes. Twelve normal pigs were investigated before and during 120 min of hemodialysis, using stable isotope tracer methodology, microdialysis technique, and muscle biopsies. During hemodialysis, there was a decrease in the interstitial fluid concentrations of phenylalanine, leucine, alanine and lysine that corresponded to their decrease in plasma concentration. Nonetheless, the intracellular concentrations of these amino acids were maintained at the basal levels throughout the entire period due principally to reduction in the rate of incorporation of amino acids into protein that was approximately equivalent to the decrease in uptake from the plasma. In conclusion, intracellular concentrations of amino acids are regulated to maintain relatively constant values, even when plasma and interstitial concentrations fall as a consequence of hemodialysis.