Alanine Aminotransferase vs. Beta Alanine

Peyt

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Hi,
Does anyone know if a person's blood test shows high ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) on their blood test, is it safe for them to supplement with Beta-Alanine? What is the correlation between Alanine Aminotransferase and Beta Alanine?
Thank you so much,
Peyt
 

alicec

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There's no connection between the two.

The amino acids which are incorporated into proteins are alpha amino acids. The enzyme alanine aminotransferase is involved in interconversion of alpha amino acids. See this article.

Elevations in this enzyme usually indicate some kind of liver problem.

Beta-alanine, however, is a beta amino acid. It forms part of the structure of carnosine which is used as a buffering system in muscles.

The difference between an alpha and beta amino acid is in the carbon which the amino group attaches to. Here is an illustration.

The different position makes a big difference to the chemical properties of the substance.
 
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Peyt

Senior Member
Messages
642
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Location
Southern California
There's no connection between the two.

The amino acids which are incorporated into proteins are alpha amino acids. The enzyme alanine aminotransferase is involved in interconversion of alpha amino acids. See this article.

Elevations in this enzyme usually indicate some kind of liver problem.

Beta-alanine, however, is a beta amino acid. It forms part of the structure of carnosine which is used as a buffering system in muscles.

The difference between an alpha and beta amino acid is in the carbon which the amino group attaches to. Here is an illustration.

The different position makes a big difference to the chemical properties of the substance.
Thanks so much