Setting the Stage for Branched-Chain Amino Acids Use in Neurological Pathologies: Does a Single Oral Dose Provide Hours of Elevated Systemic Levels?

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that branched-chain amino acids are neuroprotective and neurorestorative. Branched-chain amino acid supplements are now being recommended to be taken before contact sports to reduce concussions. While peaks and troughs in branched-chain amino acids have p...

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Main Authors: Ezek Mathew, Nathan Jones, McKinley Dews, Dominique Neal, Anders Cohen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/3/76
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author Ezek Mathew
Nathan Jones
McKinley Dews
Dominique Neal
Anders Cohen
author_facet Ezek Mathew
Nathan Jones
McKinley Dews
Dominique Neal
Anders Cohen
author_sort Ezek Mathew
collection DOAJ
description Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that branched-chain amino acids are neuroprotective and neurorestorative. Branched-chain amino acid supplements are now being recommended to be taken before contact sports to reduce concussions. While peaks and troughs in branched-chain amino acids have previously been reported in hospital settings, the metabolism of a single recommended dose of over-the-counter branched-chain amino acids has yet to be elucidated. Methods: We analyzed a patented branched-chain amino acid product to assess its metabolism in 10 healthy adults. Results: Over the defined time points, measured levels of branched-chain amino acids remained significantly elevated when compared to the physiological baseline. The elevations in measured plasma levels indicate that a single oral dose is a viable intake option for increasing levels of branched-chain amino acids. Conclusions: This information can be leveraged to better plan branched-chain amino acid-based treatment doses in order to treat pathologies such as brain injury.
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spelling doaj-art-99730ca58598484f8a1d1fe4d0a502e02025-08-20T02:42:46ZengMDPI AGDiseases2079-97212025-03-011337610.3390/diseases13030076Setting the Stage for Branched-Chain Amino Acids Use in Neurological Pathologies: Does a Single Oral Dose Provide Hours of Elevated Systemic Levels?Ezek Mathew0Nathan Jones1McKinley Dews2Dominique Neal3Anders Cohen4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USADepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USADepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USADepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USADepartment of Neurological Surgery, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, 121 DeKalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USABackground: Recent studies have demonstrated that branched-chain amino acids are neuroprotective and neurorestorative. Branched-chain amino acid supplements are now being recommended to be taken before contact sports to reduce concussions. While peaks and troughs in branched-chain amino acids have previously been reported in hospital settings, the metabolism of a single recommended dose of over-the-counter branched-chain amino acids has yet to be elucidated. Methods: We analyzed a patented branched-chain amino acid product to assess its metabolism in 10 healthy adults. Results: Over the defined time points, measured levels of branched-chain amino acids remained significantly elevated when compared to the physiological baseline. The elevations in measured plasma levels indicate that a single oral dose is a viable intake option for increasing levels of branched-chain amino acids. Conclusions: This information can be leveraged to better plan branched-chain amino acid-based treatment doses in order to treat pathologies such as brain injury.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/3/76branched-chain amino acidsBCAAconcussionbrain injurytraumatic brain injury
spellingShingle Ezek Mathew
Nathan Jones
McKinley Dews
Dominique Neal
Anders Cohen
Setting the Stage for Branched-Chain Amino Acids Use in Neurological Pathologies: Does a Single Oral Dose Provide Hours of Elevated Systemic Levels?
Diseases
branched-chain amino acids
BCAA
concussion
brain injury
traumatic brain injury
title Setting the Stage for Branched-Chain Amino Acids Use in Neurological Pathologies: Does a Single Oral Dose Provide Hours of Elevated Systemic Levels?
title_full Setting the Stage for Branched-Chain Amino Acids Use in Neurological Pathologies: Does a Single Oral Dose Provide Hours of Elevated Systemic Levels?
title_fullStr Setting the Stage for Branched-Chain Amino Acids Use in Neurological Pathologies: Does a Single Oral Dose Provide Hours of Elevated Systemic Levels?
title_full_unstemmed Setting the Stage for Branched-Chain Amino Acids Use in Neurological Pathologies: Does a Single Oral Dose Provide Hours of Elevated Systemic Levels?
title_short Setting the Stage for Branched-Chain Amino Acids Use in Neurological Pathologies: Does a Single Oral Dose Provide Hours of Elevated Systemic Levels?
title_sort setting the stage for branched chain amino acids use in neurological pathologies does a single oral dose provide hours of elevated systemic levels
topic branched-chain amino acids
BCAA
concussion
brain injury
traumatic brain injury
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/3/76
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