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Free amino acid profiles may predict success in diet, exercise programs
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Baseline plasma free amino acid profiles among a group of Japanese adults with metabolic syndrome differed in ways that may predict who will be more responsive to a standard diet and exercise regimen, according to study findings.
“Many studies report that the plasma free amino acid profile is a promising biomarker for the early detection for lifestyle-related diseases, including diabetes,” Kenji Nagao, PhD, researcher at the Institute for Innovation, Ajinomoto Co. Inc., and a consulting assistant professor at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, told Endocrine Today. “However, little is known regarding how this would connect to the effectiveness of a weight-loss program. In this pilot study, we confirmed that baseline plasma free amino acid profiles may differ in ways that predict who will or will not lose weight by a standard diet and exercise program.”
Kenji Nagao
Nagao and colleagues analyzed data from 85 Japanese adults meeting criteria for metabolic syndrome who were enrolled in a 3-month diet and exercise intervention. Researchers measured plasma free amino acid concentrations and metabolic variables, comparing participants losing more than 3% body weight with those who lost less than 3%.
Within the cohort, 50 participants lost a mean of 5.3 kg (27 men); 35 participants lost a mean of 0.8 kg and were considered part of the nonweight-loss group (26 men). Researchers found that participants in the weight-loss group had different plasma amino acid concentrations at baseline vs. the nonweight-loss group.
“Specifically ... the [weight-loss group] had a higher level of nearly every plasma free amino acid (all essential amino acids except for His and Arg, Orn, Gln, Asn and Ser) prior to initiating the diet and exercise program,” the researchers wrote. “Although nearly every plasma free amino acid level in baseline was higher in the [weight-loss group] than in the [nonweight-loss group], the plasma amino acid proportional pattern was similar in both groups.”
The weight loss induced by the diet and exercise intervention normalized plasma free amino acid profiles, according to researchers. For those with a high degree of weight loss, those changes were also associated with improvement in blood pressure, triglyceride and HbA1c levels.
“In the current study, the participants who had lower levels of essential amino acids tended to fail in the weight-loss program,” Nagao said. “Thus, in the next study, we are considering measuring plasma free amino acid at the beginning of the program. We would have those who had lower levels of plasma free amino acid eat a proper diet, which is rich in essential amino acids, to change their plasma amino acid balance.” – by Regina Schaffer
For more information:
Kenji Nagao, PhD, can be reached at the Stanford Prevention Research Center at Stanford University School of Medicine, 1070 Arastradero Road, Suite 100, Palo Alto, CA; email: kenji_nagao@04.alumni.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
Disclosure: All of the researchers are employees of or received research grants from Ajinomoto Co. Inc.
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