beta-Aminoisobutyric Acid

Optimal result: 2.1 – 12.2 umol/L

Elevated levels may be associated with increased intake of the precursor amino acid valine. Levels are higher with exercise.

A functional need for vitamin B6 can also contribute to elevations. Clinically, transient high levels have been observed under a variety of pathological conditions including lead poisoning, starvation, total body irradiation, and malignancy.

Low levels of β-AIB may be seen with decreased precursors, such as valine. Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency is a rare inborn error of metabolism that results in lower levels of urinary β-AIB.

Beta-aminoisobutyric acid (also known as 3-aminoisobutyric acid) is a non-protein amino acid formed by the catabolism of valine and the nucleotide thymine. It is further catabolized to methylmalonic acid semialdehyde and propionyl-CoA. Levels are controlled by a vitamin B6-dependent reaction in the liver and kidneys. β-aminoisobutyric acid can also be produced by skeletal muscle during physical activity.

Beta-aminoisobutyric acid (also known as 3-aminoisobutyric acid) is a non-protein amino acid formed by the catabolism of valine and the nucleotide thymine. It is further catabolized to methylmalonic acid semialdehyde and propionyl-CoA. Levels are controlled by a vitamin B6-dependent reaction in the liver and kidneys. β-aminoisobutyric acid can also be produced by skeletal muscle during physical activity.

References:

- Van Kuilenburg AB, Stroomer AE, Van Lenthe H, Abeling NG, Van Gennip AH. New insights in dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency: a pivotal role for betaaminoisobutyric acid? Biochem J. 2004;379(Pt 1):119-124.

- Tanianskii DA, Jarzebska N, Birkenfeld AL, O’Sullivan JF, Rodionov RN. Beta-Aminoisobutyric Acid as a Novel Regulator of Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism. Nutrients. 2019;11(3).

- Roberts LD, Bostrom P, O’Sullivan JF, et al. betaAminoisobutyric acid induces browning of white fat and hepatic beta-oxidation and is inversely correlated with cardiometabolic risk factors. Cell Metab. 2014;19(1):96-108.

beta-Aminoisobutyric Acid
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