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Home / Equine Research Bank / Amino Acids / Evidence that human and equine erythrocytes could have signi...
Amino acids2020; 52(5); 711-724; doi: 10.1007/s00726-020-02845-0

Evidence that human and equine erythrocytes could have significant roles in the transport and delivery of amino acids to organs and tissues.

Abstract: Erythrocytes have a well-defined role in the gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the mammalian body. The erythrocytes can contain more than half of the free amino acids present in whole blood. Based on measures showing that venous erythrocyte levels of amino acids are much less than arterial erythrocyte levels, it has previously been proposed that erythrocytes also play a role in the delivery of amino acids to tissues in the body. This role has been dismissed because it has been assumed that to act as an amino acid transport vehicle, the erythrocytes should release their entire amino acid content in the capillary beds at the target tissues with kinetic studies showing that this would take too long to achieve. This investigation set out to investigate whether the equine erythrocytes could rapidly take up and release smaller packages of amino acids when exposed to high or low external concentrations of amino acids, because it seemed very unlikely that cells would be able to release all of their amino acids without serious impacts on osmotic balance. Freshly prepared erythrocytes were placed in alternating solutions of high and low amino acid concentrations in PBS to assess the capacities of these cells to rapidly take up and release amino acids depending on the nature of the external environment. It was found that amino acids were rapidly taken up and released in small quantities in each cycle representing 15% of their total load in equine erythrocytes and 16% in human erythrocytes. The capacity for rapid uptake/release of amino acids by equine and human erythrocytes provided evidence to support the theory that mammalian erythrocytes have a significant role in transport of amino acids from the liver to tissues, muscles and organs.
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Publication Date: 2020-04-21 PubMed ID: 32318874PubMed Central: PMC7246245DOI: 10.1007/s00726-020-02845-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates whether human and horse red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, can rapidly take in and release small amounts of amino acids when exposed to high or low external concentrations, hence, playing a vital role in transporting these essential nutrients from the liver to other tissues, muscles, and organs.

Background and Aim of the Research

  • This study was driven by the idea that erythrocytes, beyond their fundamental role in exchanging gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, might also participate in the transportation of amino acids to different parts of the body. This theory had previously been dismissed because it was assumed that erythrocytes would need to release their entire amino acid content in the target tissues, an act that kinetic studies revealed would take an extended period and disturb osmotic balance.
  • However, this research contemplates a different approach: erythrocytes could rapidly absorb and release smaller amounts of amino acids, counteracting the notion that they would need to uninstall all their amino acids at once. This investigation used freshly prepared human and horse erythrocytes, placing them in alternating environments of high and low amino acid concentrations to see if these cells could quickly adapt based on their surroundings.

Methodology and Findings

  • The investigators placed freshly prepared human and horse erythrocytes in alternating solutions that contained either high or low concentrations of amino acids. This allowed the researchers to test whether these cells could respond rapidly to changes in the environment around them.
  • The results showed that the erythrocytes were indeed capable of rapidly taking in and releasing amino acids in small quantities, adjusting their behavior based on the external amino acid concentration. These small actions represented about 15% of the total amino acid content in horse erythrocytes and 16% in human erythrocytes. This rapid uptake and release mechanism is much more feasible and practical than expecting cells to unload and load their entire amino acid content at once.

Conclusion

  • The results of the investigation suggested a persuasive argument in favor of the theory that human and horse erythrocytes significantly contribute to moving amino acids from the liver to other tissues, muscles, and organs. Their ability for quick absorption and release of these essential nutrients implies that red blood cells can play a dynamic and adaptable role in supporting the body’s nutritional transport mechanisms.

Cite This Article

APA
Thorn B, Dunstan RH, Macdonald MM, Borges N, Roberts TK. (2020). Evidence that human and equine erythrocytes could have significant roles in the transport and delivery of amino acids to organs and tissues. Amino Acids, 52(5), 711-724. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-020-02845-0

Publication

Amino acids
ISSN: 1438-2199
NlmUniqueID: 9200312
Country: Austria
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 5
Pages: 711-724

Researcher Affiliations

Thorn, B
  • School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
Dunstan, R H
  • School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia. hugh.dunstan@newcastle.edu.au.
Macdonald, M M
  • School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
Borges, N
  • School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
Roberts, T K
  • School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Amino Acids / pharmacokinetics
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Liver / blood supply
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscles / blood supply
  • Muscles / metabolism
  • Tissue Distribution

Grant Funding

  • G1701109 / Gideon Lang Research Foundation

Conflict of Interest Statement

B. Thorn and N. Borges declare they have no conflicts of interest. R. H. Dunstan, T.K. Roberts M. M. Macdonald have shares in a start-up company, InnovAAte Pty Ltd, which is endeavouring to commercialise amino acid supplements based on the IP generated at the University of Newcastle. No funds or any support were received from the company.

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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