l-β-aminoisobutyric acid, L-BAIBA, a marker of bone mineral density and body mass index, and D-BAIBA of physical performance and age

Abstract

As both L- and D-BAIBA are increased with exercise, we sought to determine if circulating levels would be associated with physical performance. Serum levels of L- and D-BAIBA were quantified in 120 individuals (50% female) aged 20–85 years and categorized as either a “low” (LP), “average” (AP) or “high” performing (HP). Association analysis was performed using Spearman (S) and Pearson (P) correlation. Using Spearman correlation, L-BAIBA positively associated with (1) body mass index BMI (0.23) and total fat mass (0.19) in the 120 participants, (2) total fat mass in the 60 males (0.26), and (3) bone mineral density, BMD, (0.28) in addition to BMI (0.26) in the 60 females. In HP females, L-BAIBA positively associated with BMD (0.50) and lean mass (0.47). D-BAIBA was positively associated with (1) age (P 0.20) in the 120 participants, (2) age (P 0.49) in the LP females and (3) with gait speed (S 0.20) in the 120 participants. However, in HP males, this enantiomer had a negative association with appendicular lean/height (S − 0.52) and in the AP males a negative correlation with BMD (S − 0.47). No associations were observed in HP or AP females, whereas, in LP females, a positive association was observed with grip strength (S 0.45), but a negative with BMD (P − 0.52, S − 0.63) and chair stands (P − 0.47, S − 0.51). L-BAIBA may play a role in BMI and BMD in females, not males, whereas D-BAIBA may be a marker for aging and physical performance. The association of L-BAIBA with BMI and fat mass may reveal novel, not previously described functions for this enantiomer.

Molecular insights of exercise therapy in disease prevention and treatment

“…Concerning exerkines with osteogenic impact, similar results are observed in translational trials. Despite multiple indications that bone mineral density and osteogenic adaptions are related to irisin 338 – 340 and L-BAIBA levels 341 , 342 in humans, translation into disease therapy for conditions like osteopenia or osteoporosis has not been accomplished so far.…”