THE PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPACT OF AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENTS: INTERACTION WITH BASAL FORMATION OF ADVANCED GLYCATION ENDPRODUCTS

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INTRODUCTION: Amino acids such as arginine are used as oral supplements by many healthy people, yet their physiological impact has not been studied in detail. Arginine is a basic semi-essential amino acid partly derived from the diet. L-arginine is involved in several metabolic pathways and is a substrate for several enzymes, including nitric oxide synthase, which forms nitric oxide, a vasodilator and neuromodulator. It is also converted to ornithine, which enables ammonia detoxification. Creatine, another metabolite of L-arginine, facilitates Na+ pump activity and central neurotransmitter release. Arginine decarboxylase produces agmatine from L-arginine. The impact of oral arginine on these metabolic pathways and enzymes is not known. We have shown that both L- and D-isomers of arginine scavenge methylglyoxal (MG), a reactive aldehyde generated by glucose and fructose metabolism. MG is also a major precursor of advance glycation endproducts (AGEs). MG and AGEs are produced at low levels in healthy people and contribute to the normal aging process. Their levels are elevated in diabetic states. The research project is designed to advance our knowledge on the impact of amino acid supplements, such as arginine and cysteine, another MG scavenger, on their metabolic enzymes and pathways and the process of basal MG and AGEs formation. The program aims to extend these studies to human volunteers and human physiology.