Combination amino acids and glucose effects on insulin and GLP-1 secretion
Kenneth H C Koh1, Junhe Zhao2, Sarah X Luo2
1Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 31 Biopolis Way, Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore.
The Biochemical Journal
|April 22, 2026
Summary
Certain amino acids stimulate insulin and GLP-1 secretion. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are particularly effective, influencing insulin secretion even at low glucose levels, impacting glycaemic response.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Dietary amino acids influence insulin secretion.
- The combined effects of amino acids on insulin and incretin secretion require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the effects of individual and combined amino acids on insulin and GLP-1 secretion.
- To assess these effects under varying glucose conditions (low and high).
Main Methods:
- Utilized human islets for insulin secretion assays and STC-1 cells for GLP-1 secretion assays.
- Administered individual and combinatorial amino acid treatments with low and high glucose concentrations.
- Quantified insulin secretion using sequential treatment with glucose, amino acids, and KCl.
Main Results:
- Lysine, threonine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, and aspartic acid significantly increased GLP-1 secretion.
- Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) enhanced GLP-1 secretion at high glucose and stimulated insulin secretion at low glucose.
- Some amino acid combinations boosted GLP-1 secretion without glucose but did not further increase insulin secretion at high glucose.
Conclusions:
- Findings provide insights into the insulinogenic potential of different protein compositions.
- Results can help predict glycaemic responses based on amino acid profiles.
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