About this Research Topic
Insulin, the highly anabolic peptide hormone is one of the core regulators of glycemic control, via carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism regulation. Altered insulin sensitivity, called insulin resistance (IR) is defined by a cascade of consequences secondary to various metabolic (glucose homeostasis, hormone, and lipid metabolism), inflammatory, and oxidative stress state alteration, that creates an inadequate physiological response to insulin cell stimulation.
Numerous scientific data link IR with metabolic disease, mainly diabetes mellitus and obesity, but also, liver and renal disease, and increased risk of cardiovascular disorders and lower quality of life in general. Regardless of the substantial effort in understanding the deleterious effects of insulin resistance on different systems and organs, IR remains a complicated challenge.
Amino acids are organic compounds that take part as building blocks of our cellular machinery in the form of proteins and as intermediates in metabolism. The 20 amino acids that are found within proteins convey a vast array of chemical versatility. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) belong to the essential amino acids, which are both direct and indirect nutrient signals, implicated as a major contributor to the effects of dietary protein supply on metabolic health. Despite the essential role of dietary intake of BCAA, substantial data delineate the association between elevated circulating BCAA levels, IR, and chronic diseases. These results raise the question of whether dietary reduction of BCAAs would improve IR status; however, until today, there is no consensus regarding their therapeutic effectiveness.
Proteins, on the other hand, have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Studies have shown that increasing dietary protein intake can improve glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in both healthy individuals and those with insulin resistance. Proteins also stimulate the release of insulin, which can improve glucose uptake and utilization by insulin-sensitive tissues. Amino acids and proteins play important and contrasting roles in insulin resistance. While some amino acids, such as BCAAs, have been linked to IR, proteins can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. It is therefore important to understand the specific roles of different amino acids and proteins in order to develop effective interventions for insulin resistance and related metabolic disorders. More importantly, the effect of plant/animal protein intake on the metabolism of amino acids remains largely unexplored, even though this is expected to be the rationale regarding the impact of dietary protein sources on numerous functions and health outcomes. We need a more direct study on the impact of plant and animal protein sources on metabolic insulin sensitivity pathways and final physiological endpoints mechanism.
In this Research Topic, we welcome original research, reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that focus on investigating the role of amino acids and dietary proteins (plant- and animal-based proteins) in IR-related chronic diseases. This may include but is not restricted to metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes mellitus, liver, renal, aging, anabolic resistance, and cardiovascular disease. A better understanding of this field will help unveil de mechanism and novel therapeutic options via amino acids in chronic IR-derived diseases.
Numerous scientific data link IR with metabolic disease, mainly diabetes mellitus and obesity, but also, liver and renal disease, and increased risk of cardiovascular disorders and lower quality of life in general. Regardless of the substantial effort in understanding the deleterious effects of insulin resistance on different systems and organs, IR remains a complicated challenge.
Amino acids are organic compounds that take part as building blocks of our cellular machinery in the form of proteins and as intermediates in metabolism. The 20 amino acids that are found within proteins convey a vast array of chemical versatility. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) belong to the essential amino acids, which are both direct and indirect nutrient signals, implicated as a major contributor to the effects of dietary protein supply on metabolic health. Despite the essential role of dietary intake of BCAA, substantial data delineate the association between elevated circulating BCAA levels, IR, and chronic diseases. These results raise the question of whether dietary reduction of BCAAs would improve IR status; however, until today, there is no consensus regarding their therapeutic effectiveness.
Proteins, on the other hand, have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Studies have shown that increasing dietary protein intake can improve glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in both healthy individuals and those with insulin resistance. Proteins also stimulate the release of insulin, which can improve glucose uptake and utilization by insulin-sensitive tissues. Amino acids and proteins play important and contrasting roles in insulin resistance. While some amino acids, such as BCAAs, have been linked to IR, proteins can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. It is therefore important to understand the specific roles of different amino acids and proteins in order to develop effective interventions for insulin resistance and related metabolic disorders. More importantly, the effect of plant/animal protein intake on the metabolism of amino acids remains largely unexplored, even though this is expected to be the rationale regarding the impact of dietary protein sources on numerous functions and health outcomes. We need a more direct study on the impact of plant and animal protein sources on metabolic insulin sensitivity pathways and final physiological endpoints mechanism.
In this Research Topic, we welcome original research, reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that focus on investigating the role of amino acids and dietary proteins (plant- and animal-based proteins) in IR-related chronic diseases. This may include but is not restricted to metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes mellitus, liver, renal, aging, anabolic resistance, and cardiovascular disease. A better understanding of this field will help unveil de mechanism and novel therapeutic options via amino acids in chronic IR-derived diseases.
Keywords: Protein, Amino Acids, Branched-Chain Amino Acids, Insulin Resistance, Chronic Disease, Glucose Metabolism, Lipid Metabolism, Supplementation, Dietary Intake
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
