Topic: Amino Acid Supplementation or Restriction in Cardiovascular Disease and Aging?

Amino acid metabolism plays complex and multifaceted roles in cardiovascular health, diseases, and aging. Dysregulation of amino acids such as L-arginine, glutamate, phenylalanine, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) has been implicated in both cardiovascular pathologies and the aging process. While amino acid supplementation is widely regarded as beneficial for enhancing muscle strength, laboratory and clinical studies have also reported potential detrimental effects on cardiovascular function and aging. These outcomes appear to depend on factors such as the duration of supplementation (acute vs. chronic) and the predominance of specific metabolic pathways under distinct physiological or pathological conditions. Despite significant advances in elucidating amino acid metabolic pathways and their associations with beneficial or adverse outcomes, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This Special Issue aims to bring together leading experts to explore the role of dysregulated amino acid metabolism in cardiovascular disease and aging. Particular attention will be given to the potential harmful effects of amino acid supplementation as an adjunctive therapy, along with a critical evaluation of existing evidence. Future perspectives and emerging research directions in this evolving field will also be highlighted.

Cardiac aging, vascular diseases, amino acids, mTOR, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, senescence, fibrosis, inflammation