Issue 11, 2022

Potential nutritional healthy-aging strategy: enhanced protein metabolism by balancing branched-chain amino acids in a finishing pig model

Abstract

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) have key physiological roles in the regulation of protein synthesis, metabolism, food intake and aging. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of balanced BCAAs on healthy aging by increasing skeletal muscle mass and muscle fiber composition in a finishing pig model. A balanced BCAA ratio (Leu : Ile : Val = 2 : 2 : 1) significantly activated the mTOR pathway and upregulated the expression of amino acid transporters, such as ASCT2, SNAT2, LAT1, PAT1, and SLC38A9, simultaneously modulating mitochondrial function and muscle fiber composition, thereby inhibiting inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α, regulating amino acid metabolism, and ultimately increasing skeletal muscle mass. Overall, our results suggest that a BCAA ratio around 2 : 2 : 1 may be a promising candidate for healthy aging in humans and animals.

Graphical abstract: Potential nutritional healthy-aging strategy: enhanced protein metabolism by balancing branched-chain amino acids in a finishing pig model

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 Nov 2021
Accepted
30 Apr 2022
First published
02 May 2022

Food Funct., 2022,13, 6217-6232

Potential nutritional healthy-aging strategy: enhanced protein metabolism by balancing branched-chain amino acids in a finishing pig model

L. Zhang, Q. Guo, Y. Duan, W. Wang, Y. Yang, Y. Yin, S. Gong, M. Han, F. Li and Y. Yin, Food Funct., 2022, 13, 6217 DOI: 10.1039/D1FO03970A

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