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Published on: September 9, 2021
[β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate as a dietary supplement (I): metabolism and toxicity]
Rafael Manjarrez-Montes-de-Oca1, Mateo Torres-Vaca2, Javier González-Gallego3
1Licenciatura en Cultura Física y Deporte, Facultad de Ciencias de la Conducta, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (UAEMex). Toluca, México. Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de León. León, España,. ialvor@unileon.es.
Introduction:
-hydroxy--methylbutyrate (HMB) is a leucine metabolite produced from -ketoisocaproic acid. HMB supplementation has been used as a dietary supplement in sports since 1997, with the aim of decreasing muscle proteolysis. In recent years, positive effects have been reported in different pathologies, which suggests potential health benefits.
Aims:
The objectives of this review are: to know both HMB metabolism and toxicity, and to identify HMB cellular and molecular mechanisms of action when used as a dietary supplement.
Methods:
A search was performed in the Web of Science, Pubmed and SportDiscus data bases. RESULTS were divided into two parts; this article presents the results about both HMB metabolism and possible toxicity.
Results:
Studies show that HMB is related to cholesterol metabolism in skeletal muscle, which could reduce proteolysis, through hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A and mevalonate as a precursor in the synthesis of cholesterol. However, HMB could also be transformed from acetoacetate to beta-hydroxybutyrate by beta-hydrozybutyrate dehydrogenase. The calcium salt of HMB is the most used chemical form in dietary supplements, being the most common dose 3 g of HMB/day. Studies in humans and animals provide evidence that there are no adverse effects associated with HMB supplementation.
Conclusion:
Metabolic effects and lack of toxicity of HMB make it an adequate compound to be used as a dietary supplement.
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