Guanidinoacetic acid as a novel food for skeletal muscle health. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ostojic, Sergej M.; Premusz, Viktoria; Nagy, Dora; Acs, Pongrac
• Is Part Of: Journal of functional foods. Volume 73(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Guanidinoacetic acid -- Muscle growth -- IGF-1 -- Protein synthesis -- Myostatin; Functional foods -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2020.104129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-4646

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is a novel functional food that might favorably affect muscle biology. GAA uplifts muscle creatine and affects muscle growth by IGF-1 stimulation and gene expression. GAA limits methyl groups availability that could counterbalance its potential for muscle health. New studies are needed before scrutinizing GAA as a possible therapeutics in muscle nutrition. Abstract: Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is a direct endogenic precursor of creatine. GAA is also a re-discovered nutraceutical that has been put forward as an energy-facilitating compound by many animal and a few human studies. Recent trials indicated that dietary GAA might have yet another role in muscle growth promotion, acting as an anticatabolic and/or anabolic compound. This opinion paper summarizes the latest findings for advancing (or impeding) dietary GAA in skeletal muscle medicine, discussing open questions that need to be answered before the translation of supplemental GAA use from bench to bedside.