Abstract
The relationship of sulfur amino acids to diet-induced fatty liver was established 80 years ago, with cystine promoting the condition and methionine preventing it. This relationship has renewed importance today because diet-induced fatty liver is relevant to the current epidemics of obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Two recent papers provide the first evidence linking sulfane sulfur to diet-induced fatty liver opening a new perspective on the problem. This review summarizes the early data on sulfur amino acids in fatty liver and correlates that data with current knowledge of sulfur metabolism. Evidence is reviewed showing that the lipotropic effect of methionine may be mediated by sulfane sulfur and that the hepatosteatogenic effect of cystine may be related to the removal of sulfane sulfur by cysteine catabolites. Possible preventive and therapeutic strategies are discussed.
Highlights
80 years ago, with cystine promoting the condition and methionine preventing it
Diet-induced fatty liver was studied intensively following the discovery of insulin when it was observed that the depancreatized dogs developed this condition
Data showed a close relationship of sulfur-containing amino acids to the causation or prevention of fatty liver
Summary
Diet-induced fatty liver was studied intensively following the discovery of insulin when it was observed that the depancreatized dogs developed this condition. Data showed a close relationship of sulfur-containing amino acids to the causation or prevention of fatty liver. There have been many developments in the field of sulfur metabolism. To bring the two subjects together, it is necessary to review some of the old data on fatty liver and some modern sulfur biochemistry. Two recent papers throw new light on the subject
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