Intake of select amino acids improves arterial stiffness in women

The intake of certain amino acids appears to be inversely linked with arterial stiffness and central BP among women, with significant associations noted for pulse wave velocity and central systolic BP, according to recent findings.

In a cross-sectional study, researchers evaluated 1,898 female twins (949 twin pairs) aged 18 to 75 years who were enrolled in the TwinsUK registry, a nationwide registry of adult twin volunteers recruited from the general population in the United Kingdom. Eligible participants completed a 131-item validated food frequency questionnaire evaluating intake of the following amino acids: arginine, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine and tyrosine.

Arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis were measured through central systolic BP, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and augmentation index, along with assessments of pulse wave velocity (PWV) and intima-media thickness (IMT) in a subset of 728 patients. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to evaluate associations between arterial thickness endpoints and amino acid intake.

The total protein intake was 85.1 ± 23.4 g/day, and protein contributed 16.2% of total energy consumption. Results from multivariable analyses indicated that higher total protein consumption and intake of seven amino acids thought to have a cardioprotective effect was linked to lower central systolic BP, MAP and PWV. A strong inverse association was observed between PWV and higher consumption of glutamic acid, leucine and tyrosine, with differences of –0.4 ± 0.2 m/s for glutamic acid (P for trend = .02), –0.4 ± 0.2 m/s for leucine (P for trend = .03) and –0.4 ± 0.2 m/s for tyrosine (P for trend = .03), when comparing extreme quintiles of consumption. Significant interaction was noted between amino acid consumption and source of protein, with a higher intake of vegetable-sourced amino acids linked to lower central BP and augmentation index. Higher consumption of animal-sourced glutamic acid, leucine and tyrosine was related to lower PWV, the researchers wrote.

“The intake of amino acids associated with lower arterial stiffness and central [BP] is easily achievable in the habitual diet, making these findings very relevant for public health strategies to reduce [CVD] risk,” the researchers wrote. –by Jennifer Byrne

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.

Source: www.healio.com