Depiction of Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) in Diabetes with a Focus on Diabetic Microvascular Complications

Overview

Journal J Clin Med

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2023 Sep 28

PMID 37762992

Authors

Daniela Maria Tanase

Evelina Maria Gosav

Tina Botoc

Mariana Floria

Claudia Cristina Tarniceriu

Minela Aida Maranduca

Anca Haisan

Andrei Ionut Cucu

Ciprian Rezus

Claudia Florida Costea

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) still holds the title as one of the most debilitating chronic diseases with rising prevalence and incidence, including its complications such as retinal, renal, and peripheral nerve disease. In order to develop novel molecules for diagnosis and treatment, a deep understanding of the complex molecular pathways is imperative. Currently, the existing agents for T2DM treatment target only blood glucose levels. Over the past decades, specific building blocks of proteins-branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) including leucine, isoleucine, and valine-have gained attention because they are linked with insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and diabetes development. In this review, we discuss the hypothetical link between BCAA metabolism, insulin resistance, T2DM, and its microvascular complications including diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy. Further research on these amino acids and their derivates may eventually pave the way to novel biomarkers or therapeutic concepts for the treatment of diabetes and its accompanied complications.

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