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Nutrients
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Protein, Amino Acids, and Healthspan
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Protein, Amino Acids, and Healthspan

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2024) | Viewed by 12251

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jamie I. Baum

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Human Nutrition, Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72704, USA
Interests: dietary protein; amino acids; protein source; low protein; high protein; skeletal muscle; muscle protein synthesis; body composition; energy expenditure; metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Tracy G. Anthony

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
Interests: diet; drugs; genetics; environmental stressors; amino acid; protein; exercise; muscle; metabolic homeostasis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The effects of protein and amino acid intake on skeletal muscle health and function have been well-studied. However, the role dietary protein and amino acid intake play in health and longevity has not been well-defined. As we age, there exists a disconnect between lifespan, the total life lived, and healthspan, the period of life lived free from disease. Therefore, it is important to find ways to help people to live longer and healthier lives. One way to achieve this is through changes in diet. Recent research suggests that the level of dietary protein/amino acids in the diet plays a critical role in the regulation of longevity and health. Therefore, this Special Issue entitled “Dietary Protein, Amino Acids, and Healthspan” will aim to collect papers focusing on the role of  dietary protein and/or amino acids in healthspan.

Dr. Jamie I. Baum
Prof. Dr. Tracy G. Anthony
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • protein
  • peptides
  • amino acids
  • health
  • healthspan
  • chronic disease
  • body composition
  • appetite
  • wellbeing
  • metabolism
  • skeletal muscle
  • exercise
  • lifespan
  • aging

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1087 KiB  
Article
Association between Childhood Overweight and Altered Concentrations of Circulating Amino Acids
by Jéssica de Oliveira Campos, Tafnes Laís Pereira Santos de Almeida Oliveira, Oriane Vitalis, Jéssica Gonzaga Pereira, Isabella da Costa Ribeiro Nogueira, Gabriela Carvalho Jurema Santos, Karim Chikh, Carol Gois Leandro, João Henrique da Costa-Silva and Luciano Pirola
Nutrients 2024, 16(12), 1843; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16121843 - 12 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1108
Abstract
(1) Background: Dysregulated serum amino acids (AA) are known to be associated with obesity and risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in adults, and recent studies support the same notion in the pubertal age. It is, however, unknown whether childhood overweight may already [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Dysregulated serum amino acids (AA) are known to be associated with obesity and risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in adults, and recent studies support the same notion in the pubertal age. It is, however, unknown whether childhood overweight may already display alterations of circulating AA. (2) Methods: We used liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)—targeted metabolomics to determine plasma concentrations of AA and AA-related molecules in 36 children aged 7–12 years with normal weight or overweight. Clinical and anthropometric parameters were measured. (3) Results: Overweight in children is associated with an altered AA profile, with increased branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and decreased glycine levels, with no clinically manifested metabolic conditions. Moreover, z-BMI was positively and negatively correlated with BCAA and glycine levels, respectively, even after adjustment for age and gender. We also found a correlation between the AA profile and clinical parameters such as lipids profile and glycemia. (4) Conclusions: A pattern of low glycine, and increased BCAA is correlated to z-BMI, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in overweight but otherwise healthy children. Our data suggest that, in childhood overweight, AA disturbances may precede other clinical parameters, thus providing an early indicator for the later development of metabolic disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protein, Amino Acids, and Healthspan)
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15 pages, 9555 KiB  
Article
Tyrosine Is a Booster of Leucine-Induced Muscle Anabolic Response
by Kotaro Tamura, Hidefumi Kitazawa, Satoshi Sugita, Kohjiro Hashizume, Masazumi Iwashita, Takaaki Ishigami, Yoshihiko Minegishi, Akira Shimotoyodome and Noriyasu Ota
Nutrients 2024, 16(1), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010084 - 26 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2436
Abstract
Leucine (Leu), an essential amino acid, is known to stimulate protein synthesis in the skeletal muscle via mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) activation. However, the intrinsic contribution of other amino acids to Leu-mediated activation of mTORC1 signaling remains unexplored. This study aimed to identify [...] Read more.
Leucine (Leu), an essential amino acid, is known to stimulate protein synthesis in the skeletal muscle via mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) activation. However, the intrinsic contribution of other amino acids to Leu-mediated activation of mTORC1 signaling remains unexplored. This study aimed to identify amino acids that can promote mTORC1 activity in combination with Leu and to assess the effectiveness of these combinations in vitro and in vivo. We found that tyrosine (Tyr) enhanced Leu-induced phosphorylation of S6 kinase (S6K), an indicator of mTORC1 activity, although it exerted no such effect individually. This booster effect was observed in C2C12 cells, isolated murine muscle, and the skeletal muscles of mice orally administered the amino acids. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying this Tyr-mediated booster effect, the expression of the intracellular Leu sensors, Sestrin1 and 2, was suppressed, and the cells were treated with Leu and Tyr. This suppression enabled Tyr alone to induce S6K phosphorylation and enhanced the booster effect, suggesting that Tyr possibly contributes to mTORC1 activation when Sestrin-GAP activity toward Rags 2 (GATOR2) is dissociated through Sestrin knockdown or the binding of Sestrins to Leu. Collectively, these results indicate that Tyr is a key regulator of Leu-mediated protein synthesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protein, Amino Acids, and Healthspan)
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13 pages, 320 KiB  
Article
Protein Supplementation May Dampen Positive Effects of Exercise on Glucose Homeostasis: A Pilot Weight Loss Intervention
by John A. Batsis, Dakota J. Batchek, Curtis L. Petersen, Danae C. Gross, David H. Lynch, Hillary B. Spangler and Summer B. Cook
Nutrients 2023, 15(23), 4947; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234947 - 29 Nov 2023
Viewed by 2156
Abstract
Background: The role of protein in glucose homeostasis has demonstrated conflicting results. However, little research exists on its impact following weight loss. This study examined the impact of protein supplementation on glucose homeostasis in older adults >65 years with obesity seeking to lose [...] Read more.
Background: The role of protein in glucose homeostasis has demonstrated conflicting results. However, little research exists on its impact following weight loss. This study examined the impact of protein supplementation on glucose homeostasis in older adults >65 years with obesity seeking to lose weight. Methods: A 12-week, nonrandomized, parallel group intervention of protein (PG) and nonprotein (NPG) arms for 28 older rural adults (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) was conducted at a community aging center. Both groups received twice weekly physical therapist-led group strength training classes. The PG consumed a whey protein supplement three times per week, post-strength training. Primary outcomes included pre/post-fasting glucose, insulin, inflammatory markers, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results: Mean age and baseline BMI were 72.9 ± 4.4 years and 37.6 ± 6.9 kg/m2 in the PG and 73.0 ± 6.3 and 36.6 ± 5.5 kg/m2 in the NPG, respectively. Mean weight loss was −3.45 ± 2.86 kg in the PG and −5.79 ± 3.08 kg in the NPG (p < 0.001). There was a smaller decrease in pre- vs. post-fasting glucose levels (PG: −4 mg ± 13.9 vs. NPG: −12.2 ± 25.8 mg/dL; p = 0.10), insulin (−7.92 ± 28.08 vs. −46.7 ± 60.8 pmol/L; p = 0.01), and HOMA-IR (−0.18 ± 0.64 vs. −1.08 ± 1.50; p = 0.02) in the PG compared to the NPG. Conclusions: Protein supplementation during weight loss demonstrated a smaller decrease in insulin resistance compared to the NPG, suggesting protein may potentially mitigate beneficial effects of exercise on glucose homeostasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protein, Amino Acids, and Healthspan)
15 pages, 2285 KiB  
Article
Effects of Methionine Restriction from Different Sources on Sperm Quality in Aging Mice
by Yinghui Wu, Hao Li, Yueyue Miao, Jian Peng and Hongkui Wei
Nutrients 2023, 15(22), 4782; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224782 - 15 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1425
Abstract
Decreased sperm quality causing poor pregnancy outcomes in aging males is a common problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of methionine restriction on sperm quality in aging mice, using methionine or 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoate (HMTBA) as the methionine source, [...] Read more.
Decreased sperm quality causing poor pregnancy outcomes in aging males is a common problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of methionine restriction on sperm quality in aging mice, using methionine or 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoate (HMTBA) as the methionine source, with a view to providing nutritional strategies to mitigate the decline in sperm quality in aging livestock. Fifty-one 6-week-old male mice were randomly divided into four groups: the non-aging group (NA, 0.86% methionine), the control diet group (CD, 0.86% methionine), the methionine-restricted group (MR, 0.17% methionine) and the HMTBA-restricted group (HR, 0.17% methionine). The mice in the CD, MR and HR groups were injected with a daily dose of 0.25 mL/20 g body weight of 10% D-galactose to establish an aging model. The test period was 42 days. The results showed that aging mice in the CD group had impaired testicular morphology and significantly decreased sperm quality compared to those in the NA group. Aging mice in the MR and HR groups showed attenuated impaired testicular morphology and improved sperm quality, especially sperm acrosomal integrity and membrane integrity, compared to mice in the CD group. In addition, mice in the MR and HR groups had reduced testicular inflammation and oxidative stress, increased spermidine levels, and reduced sperm RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and DNA 5-methylcytosine (5mC) levels. Spermidine levels were positively correlated, whereas sperm RNA m6A and DNA 5mC levels were negatively correlated with sperm quality parameters. Our study suggests that methionine restriction alleviates the decline in sperm quality in aging mice, which may be related to changes in methionine metabolism and inhibition of sperm DNA and RNA methylation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protein, Amino Acids, and Healthspan)
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17 pages, 11121 KiB  
Article
Dietary Acid Load Correlates with Serum Amino Acid Concentrations after a Four-Week Intervention with Vegan vs. Meat-Rich Diets: A Secondary Data Analysis
by Julian Herter, Ann-Kathrin Lederer, Alvaro Luis Ronco, Luciana Hannibal, Roman Huber and Maximilian Andreas Storz
Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 2942; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132942 - 28 Jun 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2174
Abstract
Chronic low-grade metabolic acidosis is now a common phenomenon in the Western world. The high dietary intake of sulfur-containing amino acids in the form of processed meats results in an excessive release of acid in the form of protons and non-metabolizable acidic anions. [...] Read more.
Chronic low-grade metabolic acidosis is now a common phenomenon in the Western world. The high dietary intake of sulfur-containing amino acids in the form of processed meats results in an excessive release of acid in the form of protons and non-metabolizable acidic anions. The kidneys produce increasing amounts of ammonia to excrete this acid. This process requires the breakdown of the nitrogenous amino acid glutamine, which the body provides by breaking down muscle tissue. Hitherto not examined, we hypothesized that a high dietary acid load (DAL) could alter the serum concentrations of selected amino acids. Using secondary data from a 4-week dietary intervention study conducted in 2017, we examined the associations between various amino acids and DAL in n = 42 individuals who either consumed a meat-rich or vegan diet. Results from this secondary data analysis suggested that DAL (as measured by the potential renal acid load and net endogenous acid production) is positively correlated with higher serum concentrations of lysine and 1-methyl-histidine (r = 0.50 and 0.43, respectively) and negatively correlated with glutamine and glycine (r = −0.43 and −0.47, respectively). The inverse association with glycine and glutamine warrants special attention, as both play an important role in many metabolic disorders and the immune system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protein, Amino Acids, and Healthspan)
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15 pages, 1042 KiB  
Article
Efficacy and Safety of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Combined with Iron on Skeletal Muscle Mass Index and Physical Performance of Patients with Sarcopenia: A Multicenter, Double-Blinded, Randomized-Controlled Trial (ALADDIN Study)
by Yoshifumi Tamura, Hideyoshi Kaga, Yasuko Abe, Hidenori Yoshii, Hiroaki Seino, Toru Hiyoshi, Nobuichi Kuribayashi, Ikuo Inoue and Hirotaka Watada
Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 2866; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132866 - 24 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2171
Abstract
Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by decreased physical performance, muscle mass, and strength. Since the intake of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) with iron can increase muscle mass and mitochondria in mice and elevate physical exercise performance in humans, the beneficial effects of ALA [...] Read more.
Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by decreased physical performance, muscle mass, and strength. Since the intake of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) with iron can increase muscle mass and mitochondria in mice and elevate physical exercise performance in humans, the beneficial effects of ALA in patients with sarcopenia are expected, but this remains unexplored in the literature. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and dose dependency of ALA combined with iron in sarcopenia by measuring skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). Subjects with sarcopenia were enrolled and randomized into the ALA and sodium ferrous citrate (SFC) intake groups (ALA50/SFC29, ALA100/SFC29, ALA150/SFC29, ALA 100/SFC57, and ALA0/SFC29 placebo) and ingested the assigned study food for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint, the change in SMI from baseline to week 12, did not differ significantly between the groups. Hand grip significantly increased or tended to increase from baseline after 12 weeks with all doses of ALA or SFC compared with the placebo group. No consistent changes were observed in the other endpoints, including calf circumference, physical function, or quality of life (QOL). Although this study suggests safe administration and the possibility of ALA improving hand grip strength in patients with sarcopenia, further investigation is required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protein, Amino Acids, and Healthspan)
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