Baseline Serum BCAAs are Related to the Improvement in Insulin Resistance in Obese People After a Weight Loss Intervention

Abstract

Background Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) have been revealed to be closely related to insulin resistance and obesity. This study aimed to investigate if BCAA levels at baseline are related to an improvement in insulin resistance after implementing a weight loss program intervention. Methods Stored blood samples from participants in previous trials were used for BCAA evaluation. Linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between baseline amino acid levels and changes in the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and blood glucose. Results A total of 48 participants were enrolled. After the intervention, the body weight (78.29± 12.68 vs 72.06 ± 13.30 kg, p=0.020), fasting glucose (4.76 ± 0.43 vs 4.48 ± 0.39 mmol/L, p=0.001), fasting insulin (18.41±13.58 vs 12.87±10.88, p=0.028), and HOMA-IR (4.01±3.39 vs 2.62± 2.18, p=0.018) were improved significantly. BCAA levels were related to the improvement in HOMA-IR (β=−0.006, p=0.039), and valine was found to be the most closely related to the improvement in HOMA-IR (β=−0.013, p=0.017). Conclusion The baseline BCAA is related to the improvement in insulin resistance among participants after a weight loss intervention.

Effect of a Very Low-Calorie Diet on Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory and Metabolomic Profile in Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Obese Subjects

“…Weight loss could improve BCAA levels, and therefore could contribute to improving insulin sensitivity, but results in the scientific literature are contradictory. Zhang et al found that baseline BCAA levels were associated with the improvement in HOMA-IR in overweight patients after a very low-protein and -calorie diet [ 40 ]. Hernández-Alonso et al observed a significant reduction in leucine and valine levels in overweight and obese patients after a low-glycemic index diet [ 41 ].…”

Plasma Amino Acids in NAFLD Patients With Obesity Are Associated With Steatosis and Fibrosis; Results From the MAST4HEALTH Study

“…In addition to, numerous studies have highlighted their possible significance in the development and evolution of several pathological problems such as heart failure and metabolic diseases including diabetes and obesity (38). Interestingly, the study of Zhang et al (39) has revealed that the insulin resistance group of obese patients had higher serum levels of BCAAs and AAAs compared with no-insulin resistance group, and that BCAAs levels are associated with alleviation of insulin resistance after weight loss intervention. In addition, another study recently showed a strong association of BCAA levels and nutritional status, impaired glucose tolerance or T2D, and also demonstrated that BCAA levels and their response to, e.g., food intake, are stable over time, re-confirming their utility as potential biomarkers (40).…”

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

“…After a weight loss program intervention, the participants showed an improvement in insulin resistance and lower BCAA plasmatic levels [ 96 ]. Two similar randomized dietary trials, i.e., POUNDS LOST and DIRECT, registered as NCT00072995 and NCT00160108, respectively, showed that both BCAAs and AAAs significantly decreased, with reduced metabolic risk seen in HOMA-IR values in response to weight-loss diet interventions.…”