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The Journal of nutrition2007; 137(6 Suppl 2); 1626S-1641S; doi: 10.1093/jn/137.6.1626S

Nutritional consequences of interspecies differences in arginine and lysine metabolism.

Abstract: Differences in lysine and arginine requirements among various species such as omnivores (humans, pigs, rats, dogs), carnivores (cats), herbivores (rabbits, horses), ruminants (cattle), poultry, and fish, are covered in detail in this article. Although lysine is classified as an indispensable amino acid across species, the classification of arginine as either an indispensable or dispensable amino acid is more ambiguous because of differences among species in rates of de novo arginine synthesis. Because lysine is most often the limiting amino acid in the diet, its requirement has been extensively studied. By use of the ideal protein concept, the requirements of the other indispensable amino acids can be extrapolated from the lysine requirement. The successful use of this concept in pigs is compared with potential application of the ideal protein concept in humans. The current dietary arginine requirement varies widely among species, with ruminants, rabbits, and rats having relatively low requirements and carnivores, fish, and poultry having high requirements. Interspecies differences in metabolic arginine utilization and reasons for different rates of de novo arginine synthesis are reviewed in detail, as these are the primary determinants of the dietary arginine requirement. There is presently no dietary requirement for humans of any age, although this needs to be reassessed, particularly in neonates. A thorough understanding of the factors contributing to the lysine and arginine requirements in different species will be useful in our understanding of human amino acid requirements.
Publication Date: 2007-05-22 PubMed ID: 17513439DOI: 10.1093/jn/137.6.1626SGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article discusses the differences in the need for and metabolism of lysine and arginine, two amino acids, across various animal species. It also highlights the need to reassess the dietary arginine requirement for humans, particularly neonates.

Understanding Arginine and Lysine

  • Arginine and lysine are types of amino acids. Amino acids are organic compounds that play a key role in the body for processes like building proteins and synthesizing hormones and neurotransmitters.
  • Among all species, lysine is classified as an indispensable amino acid, meaning it cannot be synthesized by the organism itself and must be obtained from the diet.
  • The case of arginine is a bit more complex as it can be classified either as indispensable or dispensable, depending on the species’ ability to synthesize it de novo, or from scratch.

Role of Lysine

  • Being the usually limiting amino acid in the diet, the requirement of lysine has been widely researched.
  • The so-called ideal protein concept allows the extrapolation of the requirements of other indispensable amino acids based on the lysine requirement. This concept is well-documented and applied in pigs.
  • Analogous application in humans of the ideal protein concept is discussed as potential future avenue for research.

Role and Requirement of Arginine

  • The dietary arginine requirement is widely variable among species. Those like ruminants, rabbits, and rats have a relatively low requirement, while carnivores, fish, and poultry require more.
  • Interspecies differences in the metabolic utilization of arginine and different rates of its de novo synthesis are major determinants of a species’ dietary requirement for arginine.
  • Currently, there are no distinct arginine dietary requirements for humans, regardless of age. However, the research paper proposes a reassessment of this, especially focusing on neonates (newborns), considering the critical role arginine plays in metabolic processes.

Implications of the Research

  • The research aims at establishing a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to the requirements of lysine and arginine in various species. Such knowledge could enhance our understanding of the human requirement for these amino acids.
  • The reassessment of arginine dietary requirements for humans, in particular for neonates, could bring new insights into their growth and development needs and potentially lead to updates in the nutritional guidelines for these age groups.

Cite This Article

APA
Ball RO, Urschel KL, Pencharz PB. (2007). Nutritional consequences of interspecies differences in arginine and lysine metabolism. J Nutr, 137(6 Suppl 2), 1626S-1641S. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/137.6.1626S

Publication

ISSN: 0022-3166
NlmUniqueID: 0404243
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 137
Issue: 6 Suppl 2
Pages: 1626S-1641S

Researcher Affiliations

Ball, Ronald O
  • Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, and The Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G. ron.ball@ualberta.ca
Urschel, Kristine L
    Pencharz, Paul B

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Arginine / metabolism
      • Humans
      • Lysine / metabolism
      • Nutritional Requirements
      • Species Specificity

      Citations

      This article has been cited 31 times.
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