The Associations of Habitual Intake of Sulfur Amino Acids, Proteins and Diet Quality with Plasma Sulfur Amino Acid Concentrations: The Maastricht Study

Elena C. Tore*, Simone J. P. M. Eussen, Nasser E. Bastani, Pieter C. Dagnelie, Amany K. Elshorbagy, Pol Grootswagers, Viktor Kozich, Thomas Olsen, Helga Refsum, Kjetil Retterstol, Coen D. A. Stehouwer, Emma T. K. Stolt, Kathrine J. Vinknes, Marleen M. J. van Greevenbroek

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Plasma sulfur amino acids (SAAs), i.e., methionine, total cysteine (tCys), total homocysteine (tHcy), cystathionine, total glutathione (tGSH), and taurine, are potential risk factors for obesity and cardiometabolic disorders. However, except for plasma tHcy, little is known about how dietary intake modifies plasma SAA concentrations.Objective: To investigate whether the intake of SAAs and proteins or diet quality is associated with plasma SAAs.Methods: Data from a cross-sectional subset of The Maastricht Study (n 1/4 1145, 50.5% men, 61 interquartile range: [55, 66] y, 22.5% with prediabetes and 34.3% with type 2 diabetes) were investigated. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. The intake of SAAs (total, methionine, and cysteine) and proteins (total, animal, and plant) was estimated from the Dutch and Danish food composition tables. Diet quality was assessed using the Dutch Healthy Diet Index, the Mediterranean Diet Score, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension score. Fasting plasma SAAs were measured by liquid chromatography (LC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS) (LC/MS-MS). Associations were investigated with multiple linear regressions with tertiles of dietary intake measures (main exposures) and z-standardized plasma SAAs (outcomes).Results: Intake of total SAAs and total proteins was positively associated with plasma tCys and cystathionine. Associations were stronger in women and in those with normal body weight. Higher intake of cysteine and plant proteins was associated with lower plasma tHcy and higher cystathionine. Higher methionine intake was associated with lower plasma tGSH, whereas cysteine intake was positively associated with tGSH. Higher intake of methionine and animal proteins was associated with higher plasma taurine. Better diet quality was consistently related to lower plasma tHcy concentrations, but it was not associated with the other SAAs.Conclusion: Targeted dietary modifications might be effective in modifying plasma concentrations of tCys, tHcy, and cystathionine, which have been associated with obesity and cardiometabolic disorders.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2027-2040
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Nutrition
Volume153
Issue number7
Early online date1 Jul 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2023

Keywords

  • sulfur amino acids
  • habitual dietary intake
  • proteins
  • diet quality
  • plasma concentrations
  • MALE MEAT-EATERS
  • MEDITERRANEAN DIET
  • CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE
  • HOMOCYSTEINE CONCENTRATIONS
  • INSULIN-RESISTANCE
  • PLANT PROTEIN
  • RISK-FACTORS
  • FISH-EATERS
  • CYSTEINE
  • ADHERENCE

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