3068 – LINK BETWEEN BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO ACIDS, IRON METABOLISM AND ANEMIA – A NEW PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CONCEPT

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are reported to influence erythropoiesis and the human iron status. This study is aimed at investigating potential interactions between blood concentrations of all three BCAAs valine, leucine and isoleucine and indicators of human iron status. <h3>Methods</h3> Overall, 430 outpatients referred for a medical health check-up were included in this study. They underwent investigation of valine, leucine and isoleucine and biomarkers of iron metabolism (i.e., hemoglobin [Hb], mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH], iron, transferrin, ferritin, transferrin saturation, soluble transferrin receptor [sTfR]). Linear regression models were performed to assess possible associations between variables. <h3>Results</h3> All three BCAAs were positively correlated with Hb, ferritin and the sTfR (r-values: 0.145 – 0.382; P-values: <0.001 – 0.003). The strongest correlation was observed between valine and Hb (r = 0.382; P-value < 0.001). Linear regression models showed a statistically significant influence of all three BCAAs on Hb and ferritin (ß-coefficients: 0.173 – 0.351; all P-values: < 0.001). Seventeen patients with anemia (4%) were found with significantly lower serum BCAA concentrations compared to 413 non-anemic individuals (P < 0.05). <h3>Conclusions</h3> These data indicate a pathophysiological link between the three BCAAs valine, leucine and isoleucine and the human iron indicators hemoglobin and ferritin. Anemic individuals had significantly lowered serum BCAA concentrations compared to non-anemic subjects and lowered BCAA concentrations were observed with lowered ferritin levels.