Amino Acids and Hypertension in Adults

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests a potential role of dietary protein among nutritional factors interfering with the regulation of blood pressure. Dietary protein source (plant versus animal protein), and especially, protein composition in terms of amino acids has been postulated to interfere with mechanisms underlying the development of hypertension. Recently, mounting interest has been directed at amino acids in hypertension focusing on habitual dietary intake and their circulating levels regardless of single amino acid dietary supplementation. The aim of the present review was to summarize epidemiological evidence concerning the connection between amino acids and hypertension. Due to the large variability in methodologies used for assessing amino acid levels and heterogeneity in the results obtained, it was not possible to draw robust conclusions. Indeed, some classes of amino acids or individual amino acids showed non-causative association with blood pressure as well as the incidence of hypertension, but the evidence was far from being conclusive. Further research should be prompted for a thorough understanding of amino acid effects and synergistic actions of different amino acid classes on blood pressure regulation.

Dietary Influence on Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure in the TwinsUK Cohort

“…The association between tryptophan and BP is controversial, with some studies reporting negative correlations [ 49 ], and others, as in our study, identifying associations between tryptophan levels and decreased SBP [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. This is speculated to be relating to differing dietary sources (animal versus plant) [ 50 ]. Moreover, tryptophan-containing peptides derived from the enzymatic hydrolysis of dietary protein are thought to interfere with the renin-angiotensin axis by inhibiting the rate-limiting, angiotensin converting enzyme, thereby mitigating BP [ 50 ].…”

“…This is speculated to be relating to differing dietary sources (animal versus plant) [ 50 ]. Moreover, tryptophan-containing peptides derived from the enzymatic hydrolysis of dietary protein are thought to interfere with the renin-angiotensin axis by inhibiting the rate-limiting, angiotensin converting enzyme, thereby mitigating BP [ 50 ].…”

Amino Acids and Developmental Origins of Hypertension

“…Although evidence suggests a beneficial effect of plant proteins on BP [ 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 ], more data are needed to show which specific amino acids from plant proteins relate to BP. Given the large variability in methodologies used for assessing amino acid levels, the complexity of amino acid interactions, and the heterogeneity in the study populations recruited, it is not possible to draw robust conclusions on the effects of certain amino acid intakes on BP in humans [ 14 ].…”

“…Despite the fact that protein intake recommendations in pregnancy are provided as estimated average requirement (EAR) and recommended dietary allowances (RDA) values [ 12 ], there is a lack of specific amino acid recommendations for pregnant women [ 11 ]. Some amino acids and types of proteins have been associated with blood pressure (BP) [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]; however, the potential effects of maternal amino acid intake on progeny BP are largely unknown. This review, therefore, highlights evidence on the impact of amino acids during pregnancy on offspring hypertension, as well as the role of amino acid supplementation as a reprogramming strategy in the prevention of hypertension of developmental origin.…”

Stability of amino acids and related amines in human serum under different preprocessing and pre-storage conditions based on iTRAQ®-LC-MS/MS

“…The amino acid synthesis defects are presented by many clinical symptoms including central nervous system and mental disability for children, skin disorders such as cutis laxa in defects of proline synthesis, collodion-like skin and ichthyosis in serine deficiency, and necrolytic erythema in glutamine deficiency [2]. Increasing literatures have implicated the role of free amino acids in a number of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases [3][4][5], insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes [6,7], renal diseases [8], hepatic disorders [9] and cancer [10,11].…”