Research progress in metabolic mechanism of branched chain amino acids

Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) is the body’s nutrient essential amino acid. They are not only the basic units of proteins, but also play an important physiological role as signaling molecules regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, apoptosis and autophagy. In addition to anabolism, catabolism also plays an important role in branched-chain amino acid metabolism. Metabolic abnormalities in branched-chain amino acid are associated with the progression of diseases such as insulin resistance, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, and cancers. However, the metabolic mechanism of BCAA is not very clear. This article reviews the branched-chain amino acid metabolic pathway and metabolism of various organs.