Is Branched Chain Amino Acids a Causative or Diagnostic or Prognostic Marker in Metabolic Syndrome?

Abstract

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing throughout the globe due to an alarming rise in the number of people with obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension which are contributing to the risk of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases.

 The development of insulin resistance, modifications in the effects of insulin and changes in the  lipoprotein particles plays a significant role in the progression of its complications. Recently many research studies have emphasized the significant link between branched chain amino acids, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus.Branched chain amino acids have been implicated in the  development of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

But whether these branched chain amino acids are responsible for the development of insulin resistance or it is due to the resulting consequences of insulin resistance remains controversial. The branched-chain amino transferase (BCAT) is involved in the conversion of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) into branched-chain keto acids (BCKA) followed by oxidative decarboxylation by the action of  branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase complex. This review article discuss in detail the role of branched chain amino acids as a potential novel biomarkers in the causative mechanism, prognosis as well as a diagnostic marker of abnormal glucose metabolism in different conditions.