Dietary amino acid patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors among subjects with obesity; a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of obesity is a growing global public health concern. Certain dietary amino acids have been shown to have a potential therapeutic role in improving metabolic syndrome parameters and body composition in individuals with obesity. However, some amino acids have been linked to an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the association between dietary amino acid patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with obesity.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 335 participants with obesity (57.9% males and 41.5% females) from Tabriz and Tehran, Iran. The participants were between the ages of 20-50, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher, and free from certain medical conditions. The study examined participants' general characteristics, conducted anthropometric assessments, dietary assessments, and biochemical assessments. The study also used principal component analysis to identify amino acid intake patterns and determined the association between these patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with obesity.

Results: Upon adjusting for potential confounders, the study found that individuals in the third tertiles of pattern 1 and 2 were more likely to have lower LDL levels (OR = 0.99 and 95% CI (0.98-0.99)) for both. Additionally, a significant decrease in total cholesterol was observed in the third tertiles of pattern 2 in model II (OR = 0.99, 95% CI (0.98-0.99)). These findings suggest a potential cardioprotective effect of these amino acid patterns in managing cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with obesity.

Conclusions: This study found that two identified amino acid patterns were associated with lower serum LDL and total cholesterol levels, while a third pattern was associated with higher serum triglycerides. The specific amino acids contributing to these patterns highlight the importance of targeted dietary interventions in managing cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with obesity.

Keywords: Amino acid pattern; Amino acids; Cardi-metabolic factors; Cardio-metabolic risk factors; Diet; Dietary protein; Factor analysis; Obesity.

Fig. 1

Scree plot representing the eigenvalues of dietary pattern analysis among study participants

Fig. 2

Mechanistic pathways of amino acids role in cardio-metabolic factors. Arg contributes in cardio metabolic health by increasing lipid oxidation through No synthesis as well as its anti-oxidant role. Serotonin which derived from Trp has a therapeutic role in regulating glucose and fat metabolism. Gly, Cys and Glu are involved in the synthesis of glutathione - an endogenous antioxidant - which has a cardioprotective role. Amino acids such as Gly, Cys, Ala and Lue had anti-atherogenic role through reducing VLDL uptake and macrophage triglyceride content. Phe and Tyr regulate appetite by dopamine synthesis. Val and Lue contribute in regulating lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity by activating mTOR. Met—a sulfur-containing amino acid—increases oxidative stress and insulin resistance, as well as liver triglyceride levels. It has been shown a positive association between Lys and Ilu and serum TG level. Abbreviates: Arg, arginine; Gly, glycine; Trp, tryptophan; Asp, aspartate; Cys, cysteine; Ala, alanine; Pro, Proline; Phe, phenylalanine; Val, valine Ser, serine; Glu, glutamate; Tyr, tyrosine; Lue, Lucine; His, histidine; Lys, lysine; Met, methionine; Ilu, isoleucine; Thr, threonine; NO, nitric oxide; TG, triglyceride; Hcy, homocysteine; TC, total cholesterol. Pattern 1: Arg, Gly, Trp, Asp, Cys and Ala, Pattern 2: Pro, Phe, Val, Ser, Glu, Tyr and Lue, pattern 3: His, Lys, Met, Ilu and Thr