Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emily Kwun Kwan Lo, Felicianna, Jing-Hang Xu, Qiao Zhan, Zheng Zeng, Hani El-Nezami
Summary: Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are related to chronic liver diseases, but BCAA supplementation has positive effects on cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This review aims to clarify the contradictory claims and study the role of BCAAs in liver health.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yasuyuki Tamai, Zhen Chen, Yue Wu, Jun Okabe, Yoshinao Kobayashi, Hitoshi Chiba, Shu-Ping Hui, Akiko Eguchi, Motoh Iwasa, Masaaki Ito, Yoshiyuki Takei
Summary: The combined treatment of BCAA and L-carnitine significantly improved hepatocellular function, reduced lipid deposition and adipophilin expression, and protected the liver by maintaining mitochondrial integrity in cirrhotic rats, supporting their therapeutic potential in human chronic liver diseases.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Anne M. M. van Dijk, Alexandra S. Bruins S. Slot, Piero Portincasa, Sebastiaan N. Siegerink, Najiba Chargi, Carina J. R. Verstraete, Joep de Bruijne, Frank P. P. Vleggaar, Karel J. J. van Erpecum
Summary: Prophylactic supplementation of BCAA appears to be safe and may improve survival in cirrhotic patients.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paola Cuomo, Rosanna Capparelli, Antonio Iannelli, Domenico Iannelli
Summary: Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) play an important role in human health. High levels of BCAAs are associated with various metabolic diseases, while low levels are beneficial for metabolic health. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the dysregulation caused by high levels of BCAAs are still under debate.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Can Chen, Hassan Naveed, Keping Chen
Summary: This article introduces the important role of branched-chain amino acid aminotransferases in cellular metabolism, summarizes the related research in animals, plants, microorganisms, and humans, and analyzes the molecular mechanism. It has been found that disorders in branched-chain amino acid metabolism are closely related to various diseases, especially tumor development.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Michaela E. Trautman, Nicole E. Richardson, Dudley W. Lamming
Summary: The proportion of people suffering from age-related diseases is increasing worldwide. Recent research has shown that low protein diets, particularly those low in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), can reduce mortality and promote metabolic health and extended lifespan in both humans and rodents. This article discusses the emerging evidence that BCAAs play a crucial role in healthy metabolism and longevity, and explores the physiological and molecular mechanisms behind the benefits of restricting dietary BCAAs. The findings suggest that the quality of protein, specifically the composition of dietary protein, may be a previously overlooked factor in metabolic dysfunction and reducing dietary BCAAs could be a promising new approach to delaying and preventing age-related diseases.
Article
Microbiology
Ranran Zhang, Hongna Mu, Ziyun Li, Jie Zeng, Qi Zhou, Hongxia Li, Siming Wang, Xianghui Li, Xianghui Zhao, Liang Sun, Wenxiang Chen, Jun Dong, Ruiyue Yang
Summary: BCAA supplementation has significant beneficial effects on MAFLD mouse model, reducing hepatic lipid accumulation and serum cholesterol levels, regulating the expression of lipogenesis and lipolysis-related enzymes in the liver, and improving gut microbiota diversity and composition.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Yan-Mei Hsu, Hui-Chung Kuan, Yu-An Chen, Ching-Wen Chiu, Po-Cheng Chen, Ka-Wai Tam
Summary: The benefits of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) administration after hepatic intervention in patients with liver diseases remain unclear. However, our meta-analysis showed that BCAA supplementation significantly improved liver function, reduced ascites incidence, and increased body weight and arm circumference in selected patients undergoing liver intervention.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tiangang Wu, Mengling Wang, Fengling Ning, Shilin Zhou, Xuetao Hu, Hong Xin, Svetlana Reilly, Xuemei Zhang
Summary: Fibrosis, characterized by excessive production of extracellular matrix, is a common pathological feature of organ diseases. Metabolic alterations, especially in the regulation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), have been found to play significant roles in fibrogenesis. Dysregulation of BCAAs metabolism has been implicated in various diseases. This review summarizes the metabolic regulation of fibrosis, changes in BCAAs metabolism associated with fibrosis, and the effects and mechanisms of BCAAs intervention in hepatic, renal, and cardiac fibrosis, with a focus on liver fibrosis and associated hepatocellular carcinoma.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Woo Kyun Kim, Amit Kumar Singh, Jinquan Wang, Todd Applegate
Summary: This review discusses the effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on poultry growth, production performance, immunity, and intestinal health. The imbalance of BCAA ratio in a low protein diet can hinder poultry growth performance. The recommended levels of BCAA for poultry are influenced by the type of diet, breed, and age of the birds. BCAA supplementation in low protein diets can reduce nitrogen excretion. Further research is needed to understand the impact of BCAA inclusion ratio in different disease-challenged conditions.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Giuseppe Marrone, Amato Serra, Luca Miele, Marco Biolato, Antonio Liguori, Antonio Grieco, Antonio Gasbarrini
Summary: Liver cirrhosis is often accompanied by nutritional alterations, affecting about 20% of patients with compensated disease and over 60% of patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Imbalance of amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), has been shown to be associated with complications and prognosis in these patients. Various studies have explored the use of BCAAs supplementation as a therapeutic option, but uncertainties persist regarding its real efficacy, optimal administration route, and dosage.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Min Liu, Yanhui Yang, Yajin Liu, Xiaoyue Peng, Yi Hou, Xuejiao Zhang, Haipeng Sun, Chunyan Shan
Summary: This study found that serum BCAA levels decline gradually with the progression of DKD in T2DM patients, and they are independently correlated with renal function indicators. These findings suggest that serum BCAA concentrations may serve as a crucial predictor for both the initiation and progression of DKD.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Leng Wu, Rui Shi, Huimin Bai, Xingtong Wang, Jian Wei, Chengcheng Liu, Yafei Wu
Summary: This study investigated the mechanism by which Porphyromonas gingivalis contributes to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The results suggest that P. gingivalis may exacerbate NAFLD progression by increasing serum branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ralph G. Cosentino, James R. Churilla, Samantha Josephson, Zarela Molle-Rios, Md Jobayer Hossain, Wagner L. Prado, P. Babu Balagopal
Summary: This study investigated the role of BCAA and AAA in obesity among youth, finding correlations with body composition and novel biomarkers of CVD. However, a physical activity-based lifestyle intervention had minimal effects on BCAA and AAA concentrations.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Katarzyna Paczkowska, Dominik Rachon, Andrzej Berg, Jacek Rybka, Katarzyna Kapczynska, Marek Bolanowski, Jacek Daroszewski
Summary: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that predisposes women to metabolic disturbances. Recent research suggests that alterations in amino acid profiles may be indicative of metabolic disorders. This study found elevated levels of aromatic amino acids in PCOS women, and significant differences in amino acid concentrations between metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity subgroups of PCOS women.