Glutamate and obesity – what is the link?

Abstract

Purpose of review Many studies using metabolomics have tried to unravel the metabolic signature of obesity and understand the pathophysiology of this complex and heterogeneous disease. Circulating levels of the amino acid glutamate have been consistently associated with obesity and more specifically with measurements of abdominal fat accumulation. The purpose of this narrative review is to highlight recent studies documenting this association. Recent findings Circulating glutamate concentrations have been positively correlated with measurements of central fat accumulation such as waist circumference and visceral adipose tissue area. Moreover, elevated glutamate levels have been linked to a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The association with adiposity is detected in early life, and genetic predisposition does not appear as a major driver. Glutamate levels reflect in vivo synthesis rather than dietary intake. However, interventions generating metabolic improvements such as incretin receptor agonist treatment or dietary improvements may reduce plasma levels of this amino acid. Summary Recent findings confirm the consistent association between circulating glutamate and abdominal obesity and its cardiometabolic complications. The pathophysiological pathways underlying this phenomenon are still unclear. Furthermore, studies are needed to establish the usefulness of this analyte as a biomarker of abdominal obesity.

Serum dysregulation of serine and glycine metabolism as predictive biomarker for cognitive decline in frail elderly subjects

“…Despite we found similar serum D-serine levels between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects, L-serine and L-glutamate were increased in diabetic compared to non-diabetic group, consistently with previous blood metabolomics evidence [ 16 , 17 ]. In line with other studies [ 90 ], we also observed a positive correlation between serum L-glutamate concentration, BMI and visceral adiposity in both non-frail and frail participants. Although the biological mechanisms responsible for this association are still unclear, considering that glutamate signaling modulates the immune system [ 91 ] and that increased VAT promotes systemic inflammation [ 92 ], elevated blood L-glutamate levels could represent a metabolic signature underpinning the abnormal increase in oxidative stress and inflammation associated with obesity.…”

Phenylpiracetam: molecular mechanisms of effects in obesity

“…Ингибирование глутаматных рецепторов положительно сказывается на центральном накоплении жира (окружность талии, площадь висцеральной жировой ткани и др.) [40]. Хемореактомный анализ показал, что Другие проблемы эндокринологии фонтурацетам может являться наиболее сильным ингибитором метаботропного глутаматного рецептора mGluR5 (IC50 = 35 нМ).…”

Amino Acids during Pregnancy and Offspring Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Health

“…Glutamate is another amino acid linked to obesity. Circulating glutamate levels are positively associated with central obesity [93]. However, the underlying pathophysiological pathways responsible for this association are still unclear.…”