Atherosclerosis Linked to Aberrant Amino Acid Metabolism and Immunosuppressive Amino Acid Catabolizing Enzymes

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of global mortality.
• Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory arterial disease, underlies many CVDs.
• Alterations in amino acid (AA) metabolism are increasingly linked to atherosclerosis development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent findings on the relationship between AA metabolism and atherosclerosis.
• To explore the potential of targeting AA metabolism for atherosclerosis prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature and clinical studies.
• Analysis of data linking plasma AA levels to cardiometabolic risk.
• Examination of the role of specific AAs (e.g., BCAAs, L-arginine, homoarginine, L-tryptophan) and their metabolic enzymes (e.g., IDO, arginases) in atherosclerosis.

Main Results:

• Positive correlations exist between plasma branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels and metabolic disturbances, indicating high cardiometabolic risk.
• Dietary intake of certain AAs like homoarginine, taurine, and glycine may improve atherosclerosis via endothelium remodeling.
• AA metabolism regulation by enzymes such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and arginases 1 and 2, influenced by immunological signals, presents potential therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

• Amino acid metabolism plays a critical role in regulating vascular homeostasis and the development of atherosclerosis.
• Targeting specific AA metabolic pathways and enzymes offers a promising, novel therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis prevention and treatment.
• Further clinical and animal model studies are necessary to validate these findings and therapeutic approaches.