Histidine: A Systematic Review on Metabolism and Physiological Effects in Human and Different Animal Species

Abstract

Histidine is an essential amino acid (EAA) in mammals, fish, and poultry. We aim to give an overview of the metabolism and physiological effects of histidine in humans and different animal species through a systematic review following the guidelines of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). In humans, dietary histidine may be associated with factors that improve metabolic syndrome and has an effect on ion absorption. In rats, histidine supplementation increases food intake. It also provides neuroprotection at an early stage and could protect against epileptic seizures. In chickens, histidine is particularly important as a limiting factor for carnosine synthesis, which has strong anti-oxidant effects. In fish, dietary histidine may be one of the most important factors in preventing cataracts. In ruminants, histidine is a limiting factor for milk protein synthesis and could be the first limiting AA for growth. In excess, histidine supplementation can be responsible for eating and memory disorders in humans and can induce growth retardation and metabolic dysfunction in most species. To conclude, the requirements for histidine, like for other EAA, have been derived from growth and AA composition in tissues and also have specific metabolic roles depending on species and dietary levels.

Effect of feeding histidine and β-alanine on carnosine concentration, growth performance, and meat quality of broiler chickens

“…Therefore, the potential toxicity of His seems to be no reason for the increased mortality. The supplementation with His was also associated with increased feed intake until d 33, a finding that is contrasting to results obtained in humans, mice, and rats, indicating mostly a suppression in feed intake at higher His feeding levels ( Moro et al., 2020 ). The greater ADFI in our study might be explained by a compensatory effect for other nutrients as the young chickens had to deal with the elevated amount of His in their metabolism.…”

A Metabolic Profiling Study of Realgar-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Mice

“…In this study, Histidine and the catabolic product urocanic acid were increased, indicating that the oxidative response has been activated in mice. Notably, increased level of Histidine in the blood is also a major manifestation of congenital disorders of Histidine metabolism, including histidinemia, maple syrup urine disease, propionic acidemia, and tyrosinemia I ( Moro et al, 2020 ). Ammonia accumulation occurs when amino acid metabolism is disturbed and the urea cycle converts ammonia to urea, which is excreted in the urine.…”

Lactic acid bacteria prevent both periodontitis and atherosclerosis exacerbated by periodontitis in spontaneously hyperlipidemic mice

“…41 Histidine is an essential mammalian amino acid with antioxidant properties that has a protective effect on metabolic syndrome. 42 Carnitine is a precursor of TMAO, and the potential increase in TAMAO after carnitine supplementation may be a compensatory mechanism to slow the progression of atherosclerosis. 43,44 Carnitine has been reported to decrease cholesterol and triglycerides and increase highdensity lipoprotein.…”