Short-Term Decreasing and Increasing Dietary BCAA Have Similar, but Not Identical Effects on Lipid and Glucose Metabolism in Lean Mice

Abstract

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) showed multiple functions in glycolipid metabolism and protein synthesis. However, the impacts on the metabolic health of low or high dietary BCAA remain controversial due to the various experimental conditions. Gradient levels of BCAA were supplemented in lean mice for four weeks: 0BCAA (without BCAA), 1/2BCAA (half BCAA), 1BCAA (regular BCAA), and 2BCAA (double BCAA). The results showed that the diet without BCAA caused energy metabolic disorders, immune defects, weight loss, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperleptinemia. 1/2BCAA and 2BCAA diets reduced body fat percentage, but 1/2 BCAA also decreased muscle mass. 1/2BCAA and 2BCAA groups improved lipid and glucose metabolism by affecting metabolic genes. Meanwhile, significant differences between low and high dietary BCAA were observed. The results of this study provide evidence and reference for the controversy about dietary BCAA levels, which indicates that the main difference between low and high BCAA dietary levels may present in the longer term.