Fayomi Samuel Idowu, Erukainure Ochuko Lucky, Zimbili Msomi Nontokozo
Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Sciences University of KwaZulu Natal Pietermaritzburg South Africa.
Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Sciences University of KwaZulu Natal Durban South Africa.
Food Sci Nutr. 2025 May 30;13(6):e70346. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.70346. eCollection 2025 Jun.
A healthy life depends on the availability and the synthesis of amino acids as they are building blocks of proteins and regulators of principal physiological processes in organisms. Contemporary investigations have elucidated amino acids' roles in biological processes, emphasizing their contributions to preventing and treating metabolic disorders. Their structural architecture and nutritional importance elucidate their diverse biological roles, including muscle protein synthesis, immune support, neurological functions, and energy metabolism. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a prevalent metabolic disorder marked by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, exemplifies a pertinent case for examining the relevance of amino acids in pathological conditions. The alteration of the amino acid profile, particularly high levels of leucine, isoleucine, and valine, is connected with insulin resistance and oxidative stress, which contribute to the progression of T2DM. In contrast, the potential therapeutic benefit of branched chain amino acid (BCAA) has earlier been reported to influence insulin signaling pathways, promote glucose uptake, and decrease inflammatory responses. However, the dosage and combination of amino acid intake through dietary interventions and supplementation may offer promising benefits to improve the management of T2DM effectively. This review investigates the functions of amino acids in normal physiological states, their potential as a diagnostic biomarker, the probable risk of deficiency, and the therapeutic ability for managing and preventing T2DM. Conversely, there is a need to intensively investigate the controversial dual role of BCAA in T2DM, the mechanism of amino acid actions in insulin resistance, the effect of a combination of amino acids, and the dosage limit in diabetic conditions.
健康的生活依赖于氨基酸的可得性及其合成，因为它们是蛋白质的组成成分以及生物体主要生理过程的调节因子。当代研究已经阐明了氨基酸在生物过程中的作用，强调了它们在预防和治疗代谢紊乱方面的作用。它们的结构架构和营养重要性阐明了其多样的生物学作用，包括肌肉蛋白质合成、免疫支持、神经功能和能量代谢。2型糖尿病（T2DM）是一种以胰岛素抵抗和高血糖为特征的常见代谢紊乱疾病，是研究氨基酸在病理状况下相关性的一个相关案例。氨基酸谱的改变，特别是亮氨酸、异亮氨酸和缬氨酸水平升高，与胰岛素抵抗和氧化应激有关，这有助于T2DM的进展。相比之下，先前有报道称支链氨基酸（BCAA）的潜在治疗益处在于影响胰岛素信号通路、促进葡萄糖摄取并减少炎症反应。然而，通过饮食干预和补充剂摄入氨基酸的剂量和组合可能会为有效改善T2DM的管理带来有前景的益处。本综述研究了氨基酸在正常生理状态下的功能、其作为诊断生物标志物的潜力、可能的缺乏风险以及管理和预防T2DM的治疗能力。相反，有必要深入研究BCAA在T2DM中的有争议的双重作用、氨基酸在胰岛素抵抗中的作用机制、氨基酸组合的效果以及糖尿病状况下的剂量限制。
