Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

Guzow K, Mulkiewicz E, Obuchowski M, Wiczk W. Biological activity of 3-(2-benzoxazol-5-yl)alanine derivatives. Amino Acids. 2021 Aug;53(8):1257-1268. doi: 10.1007/s00726-021-03030-7.

Abstract... a large group of non-proteinogenic amino acids based on 3-(2-benzoxazol-5-yl)alanine skeleton was studied in search for new antimicrobial and anticancer agents. Screening tests revealed that antibacterial potential of 41 compounds studied is not very high; however, they are selective acting only against Gram-positive bacteria (B. subtilis).

Berti Zanella P, Donner Alves F, Guerini de Souza C. Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on performance and muscle fatigue in athletes and non-athletes of different sports: a systematic review. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2017 Sep;57(9):1132-1141. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06582-8. 

Abstract. The aim of this study was to conduct a review of the use of BA supplementation as an ergogenic aid to improve performance and fatigue resistance in athletes and non-athletes.

Gentile S, Loguercio C, Russo FS, Coltorti M. L-alanine plasma levels after oral loads in non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis: relationship with urea extraformation and ammoniogenesis. Ital J Gastroenterol. 1991 Jul-Aug;23(6):335-40.

Abstract. In the post-absorptive stage L-alanine is the main source of alpha-amino-nitrogen reaching the liver as glucose precursor. This aminoacid has been used as a measure of urea synthesis capacity in several pathologic conditions, but it has not been employed sistematically in patients with liver cirrhosis. We tried to address this issue by evaluating: a) L-alanine plasma levels, b) urea extraformation (UE), and c) ammoniogenesis after oral L-alanine (0.25 and 0.50 g/kg b wt) in healthy control subjects and in patients with nonalcoholic compensated (Child-Pugh's A class) and decompensated (Child-Pugh's B and C) liver cirrhosis. L-alanine plasma levels after oral load were higher and lasted longer in cirrhotics as compared to controls. Furthermore, after L-alanine oral load, significantly higher ammonia plasma levels were observed in cirrhotics than in controls. Changes in the urea extraformation were comparable in cirrhotics and controls. Both delayed L-alanine elimination from plasma and L-alanine-induced hyperammoniemia were more evident in decompensated cirrhotics and related to L-alanine dose.

Paul B, Korytnyk W. Alanine derivatives with reactive groups. J Pharm Sci. 1978 May;67(5):642-5. doi: 10.1002/jps.2600670518.

Abstract. The synthesis of diazoketone analogs of amino acids and associated problems were investigated with N-phthaloyl-DL-alanine serving as a model. The carboxyl was activated by conversion to the acid chloride or, under mild conditions, to the mixed anhydride obtained with ethyl chloroformate or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide; the product was reacted with diazomethane. Deblocking the phthaloyl group with hydrazine gave 3-amino-1-diazo-2-butanone as a well-characterized solid salt and as a less stable oil. Further reactions of the blocked diazoketone of DL-alanine, such as conversion to alpha-haloketones, Wolff rearrangement, and deuterium exchange on C-1 were investigated. 3-A-mino-1-diazo-2-butanone had moderate inhibitory activity against mouse mammary adenocarcinoma in cell culture.

Norberto MS, Barbieri RA, Bertucci DR, Gobbi RB, Campos EZ, Zagatto AM, De Freitas EC, Papoti M. Beta alanine supplementation effects on metabolic contribution and swimming performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2020 Jul 25;17(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s12970-020-00365-6. Erratum in: J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2020 Oct 8;17(1):50.

Abstract. Investigations of β-alanine supplementation shows effects on metabolic (aerobic and anaerobic) participation and performance on swimming by a possible blood acidosis buffering. Considering this background, the objective of the present study was to analyze the effects of β-alanine supplementation on metabolic contribution and performance during 400-m swim.

Hoffer LJ, Yang RD, Matthews DE, Bistrian BR, Bier DM, Young VR. Alanine flux in obese and healthy humans as evaluated by 15N- and 2H3-labeled alanines. Am J Clin Nutr. 1988 Oct;48(4):1010-4. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/48.4.1010.

Abstract. Estimates of plasma alanine flux as measured in humans using L-[15N]-alanine or L-[3,3,3-2H3]alanine were compared by simultaneous intravenous infusion of both tracers. Plasma isotope enrichments were measured by chemical ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In 16 obese women before and during a hypocaloric diet and in 4 normal men in the postabsorptive and fed states, the fluxes were highly correlated (r2 = 0.93) although plasma alanine flux with the 2H tracer was two to three times greater than that obtained with [15N]alanine. The fluxes decreased with the hypocaloric diet in obese subjects and increased during the fed state in healthy adults. Thus, although the estimates of alanine flux differed according to the tracer used, both appear to give equivalent information about changes in alanine kinetics induced by the nutritional conditions examined.

Umeda K, Shindo D, Somekawa S, Nishitani S, Sato W, Toyoda S, Karakawa S, Kawasaki M, Mine T, Suzuki K. Effects of Five Amino Acids (Serine, Alanine, Glutamate, Aspartate, and Tyrosine) on Mental Health in Healthy Office Workers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Exploratory Trial. Nutrients. 2022 Jun 6;14(11):2357. doi: 10.3390/nu14112357.

Abstract. The importance of maintaining good mental health with overall well-being has recently drawn attention from various spheres of academics and the working population. Amino acid intake has been reported to reduce depression symptoms and other mental health problems. However, the effectiveness of amino acid intake (i.e., single or combined) remains unknown. In this study, we assessed a combination of five amino acids (serine, alanine, glutamate, aspartate, and tyrosine; SAGAT) reported to regulate mental health.

Nencetti S, La Motta C, Rossello A, Sartini S, Nuti E, Ciccone L, Orlandini E. N-(Aroyl)-N-(arylmethyloxy)-α-alanines: Selective inhibitors of aldose reductase. Bioorg Med Chem. 2017 Jun 15;25(12):3068-3076. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.03.056.

Abstract. Aldose reductase (ALR2), a NADPH-dependent reductase, is the first and rate-limiting enzyme of the polyol pathway of glucose metabolism and is implicated in the pathogenesis of secondary diabetic complications.

Yao N, Wang J, Wu Y, Zhu Y, Feng Y, Fu S, Liu J, Yang Y, Zhao Y, Shi L, Yang N, Chen T. Frequent alanine aminotransferase flares and promising antiviral therapy efficacy during the preschool age: an opportunity to achieve HBsAg loss in children with mother-to-child transmitted hepatitis B. J Viral Hepat. 2022 Jun 20. doi: 10.1111/jvh.13720.

Abstract. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare remains one of the determinants of initiating antiviral therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Insufficient data exist regarding children with CHB attributed to mother-to-child transmission. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of spontaneous ALT flares and identify factors affecting therapy-induced hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss in the flare cohort. We retrospectively included untreated children with mother-to-child transmitted CHB. 

Saunders B, Elliott-Sale K, Artioli GG, Swinton PA, Dolan E, Roschel H, Sale C, Gualano B. β-alanine supplementation to improve exercise capacity and performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2017 Apr;51(8):658-669. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096396.

Abstract. To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence on the effects of β-alanine supplementation on exercise capacity and performance