We've been discussing amino acid biosynthesis and the "other" uses of amino acids in Biochemistry. While in Organic Chemistry, we are studying carbohydrates (e.g. polysaccharides, "sugars", and so on). Although these classes of biochemical compounds may seem disparate, there are instances where an individual amino acid(s) and a "sugar" elicit similar effects...possibly through the use of a common secondary messenger, such as NO, cAMP, inositol, etc. One case of where an amino acid and a sugar derivative can cause similar effects is in the regulation of bowel movements (i.e. constipation, diarrhea). The link below is to a journal article that describes how one specific amino acid can increase bowel frequency at a level comparable to that of a sugar derivative that is used as a laxative.
Potential Adverse GI Effects of Amino Acids & Disaccharide Alcohols
I can definitely see these topics being fodder for quizzes in both Biochem and Organic. Feel free to peruse this (potentially bloated...pun intended) topic.
So I am way out of my league on this one. Too bad they didn't include the Haribo Sugar free gummy bears on this one!
ReplyDeleteApparently people take oral supplements of arginine and citrulline, which increase nitric oxide production in the small intestine. I am always skeptical of these types of supplements. Yet, it seems my skepticism is on point, because the nitric oxide produced is actually harmful under certain circumstances. The clinical studies revealed that larger doses of arginine was associated with adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Single doses of 3-6 grams were the least likely to provoke side effects. Surprisingly, healthy athletes were the most susceptible to gastrointestinal problems, even more so than diabetic patients. I think it is interesting that large one-time doses of poorly absorbed amino acids seemed to be the stigma for diarrhea. The article stressed that there needs to be more research done on what exact dosage evokes the side effect of diarrhea. Maybe dipeptide forms of arginine will be without this side effect.
Studies indicate people with high blood pressure or high cholesterol may be deficient in the molecule Nitric Oxide. Adding enough L-arginine and L-citrulline to ones daily cardio regimen, helps provide more support for ones heart health. One would take oral supplements of arginine and citrulline in the fight to maintain a healthy blood pressure and a healthy cardiovascular system, or to improve ones physical performance since these supplements act as a vasodialator.
ReplyDeleteHowever the side affects are quite...exhausting and perhaps painful. One might wonder if a healthier cardiovascular system or improved performance is worth the pain and discomfort of the side affects and the price of the supplements. Even if one did decide these unfortunate tag-alongs were worth the gain, one may change ones mind after suffering the experience many have gone through to get the statistics for this study.
It is not surprising that the different dosages have different affects. However what I do find interesting is that the poorly absorbed amino acids provoke diarrhea. I wonder why and how. What happens to the amino acids when they are not absorbed? What about them causes diarrhea?
Some additional questions I had were: If these supplements work as a vasodialator and have a side affect of diarrhea could they not be used both as a vasodialator and a laxative? However with that said, if one takes a supplement as a vasodialator but also as a laxative, don't those two results kind of conflict in the performance of the one taking them. Think about it, one taking a vasodialator would hope to be able to reach peak physical performance or to lower blood pressure. But one taking a laxative is not going to be doing much physical performance other than the physical performance required sitting on a toilet. As for lowering blood pressure, sure it may do that but with the side affects it may increase stress and discomfort or anxiety and perhaps having a reverse affect and increasing blood pressure and just causing anxiety.
Anyhow, back to the main focus of the research, it is quite obvious that more research needs to be done in order to find an appropriate dosage for the desired affects, and it is also quite evident that one should probably not use these supplements for the results of both a vasodialator and a laxative. Therefore, a clear purpose for the supplement should be made and an appropriate dosage given for that desired result.