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Concentration of Branched-Chain Amino Acids Is a Strong Risk Marker for Incident Hypertension

Jose L Flores-Guerrero1, Dion Groothof1, Margery A Connelly2

  • 1From the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology (J.L.F.-G., D.G., S.J.L.B.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|October 8, 2019
PubMed

Insights

High levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are linked to a greater risk of developing new-onset hypertension. This finding suggests BCAAs may play a role in hypertension development.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Metabolic Health
  • Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

  • Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are implicated in cardiometabolic disease pathogenesis.
  • The specific association between BCAAs and incident hypertension is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between plasma BCAA concentrations and the risk of developing new-onset hypertension.
  • To determine if BCAAs serve as a predictive marker for hypertension incidence.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective population-based cohort study (PREVEND) with 4169 participants.
  • Plasma BCAA levels measured via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
  • Incident hypertension risk assessed using multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models over an 8.6-year median follow-up.

Main Results:

  • A significant association was observed between higher plasma BCAA concentrations and increased risk of incident hypertension.
  • Hazard ratio per one SD increase in BCAAs was 1.11 (95% CI, 1.02-1.20; P=0.01).
  • The association remained significant when BCAAs were analyzed categorically (HR for highest vs. lowest quartile: 1.36; P=0.003) and improved risk prediction models.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated plasma BCAA levels are prospectively associated with a higher risk of developing hypertension.
  • BCAAs may contribute to hypertension pathogenesis, independent of traditional risk factors.
  • Plasma BCAA concentration could be a valuable biomarker for hypertension risk assessment.

Keywords:
amino acidsbody mass indexdysbiosishypertensionlipid

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