3-Aminoisobutyric acid explained

3-Aminoisobutyric acid (also known as β-aminoisobutyric acid or BAIBA) is a product formed by the catabolism of thymine.

During exercise, the increase of PGC-1α protein triggers the secretion of BAIBA from exercising muscles to blood (concentration 2 to 3 μM in human serum). When BAIBA reaches the white fat tissue, it activates the expression of thermogenic genes via PPARα receptors, resulting in a browning of white fat cells.^[1] One of the consequences of the BAIBA activity is the increase of the background metabolism of the BAIBA target cells.

It is thought to play a number of roles in cell metabolism, how body burns fat and regulates insulin, triglycerides, and total cholesterol.^{[2] [3] [4]}

BAIBA is found as a normal metabolite of skeletal muscle in 2014. The plasma concentrations are increased in human by exercise. The production is likely a result of enhanced mitochondrial activity as the increase is also observed in the muscle of PGC-1a overexpression mice. BAIBA is proposed as protective factor against metabolic disorder since it can induce brown fat function.^[1]

See also

• β-Alanine
• beta-Hydroxy beta-methylbutyric acid
• GABA
• MB-3 (drug)

Notes and References

1. Roberts LD, Boström P, O'Sullivan JF, Schinzel RT, Lewis GD, Dejam A, Lee YK, Palma MJ, Calhoun S, Georgiadi A, Chen MH, Ramachandran VS, Larson MG, Bouchard C, Rankinen T, Souza AL, Clish CB, Wang TJ, Estall JL, Soukas AA, Cowan CA, Spiegelman BM, Gerszten RE . 6 . β-Aminoisobutyric acid induces browning of white fat and hepatic β-oxidation and is inversely correlated with cardiometabolic risk factors . Cell Metabolism . 19 . 1 . 96–108 . 7 January 2014 . 24411942 . 4017355 . 10.1016/j.cmet.2013.12.003 .
2. Begriche K, Massart J, Fromenty B . Effects of β-aminoisobutyric acid on leptin production and lipid homeostasis: mechanisms and possible relevance for the prevention of obesity . Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology . 24 . 3 . 269–82 . June 2010 . 19735301 . 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2009.00765.x . 2520238 .
3. Ibrahim A, Neinast M, Arany ZP . Myobolites: muscle-derived metabolites with paracrine and systemic effects . Current Opinion in Pharmacology . 34 . 15–20 . June 2017 . 28441626 . 10.1016/j.coph.2017.03.007 . 5651206 .
4. Tanianskii DA, Jarzebska N, Birkenfeld AL, O'Sullivan JF, Rodionov RN . Beta-Aminoisobutyric Acid as a Novel Regulator of Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism . Nutrients . 11 . 3 . February 2019 . 524 . 30823446 . 10.3390/nu11030524 . 6470580 . free .