Tier 4 — mechanistic

Interplay Between Plasma Glycine and Branched-Chain Amino Acids Contributes to the Development of Hypertension and Coronary Heart Disease

Dziedzic M, Józefczuk E, Guzik TJ, Siedlinski M
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) 2024 81(6):1320-1331

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 38587181
PubMed Central
PMC11095885
DOI
10.1161/hypertensionaha.123.22649
Funding
Support included National Science Centre Poland, European Research Council, British Heart Foundation and European/Polish research programs.
Competing interests
The authors reported no disclosures.

Study snapshot

DesignHuman genetic association and Mendelian-randomization analyses
ModelAdult humans
Sample186,523 White UK Biobank participants for instrument discovery, plus outcome datasets
InterventionProspective and genetic analyses of glycine, BCAA and their ratio
DurationProspective cohorts and genetic analyses; no supplement dosing
EndpointsHypertension; Coronary heart disease; BCAA-to-glycine ratio

What the study showed, in plain terms

The balance between BCAA and glycine was associated with cardiovascular risk. The study suggests shared metabolic pathways rather than proving that increasing glycine alone corrects that risk.

Key findings

  • A higher BCAA-to-glycine ratio predicted higher hypertension and coronary-disease risk.
  • Genetic estimates for the ratio were larger than estimates for either component alone.

What this study can and cannot tell us

A ratio can change through either its numerator or denominator.

Genetic and observational associations do not establish efficacy of a glycine product.

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Exploring the Role of Glycine Metabolism in Coronary Artery Disease: Insights from Human Genetics and Mouse Models
Biswas S et al. · Nutrients · 2025
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Oral administration of glycine in the prevention of restenosis after coronary angioplasty. A double blind placebo controlled randomized feasibility trial evaluating safety and efficacy of glycine in the prevention of restenosis after angioplasty
Khan M et al. · Acute cardiac care · 2006
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Assessing the causal association of glycine with risk of cardio-metabolic diseases
Wittemans LBL et al. · Nature communications · 2019
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Genetic Determinants of Circulating Glycine Levels and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease
Jia Q et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · 2019
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Chang X et al. · Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD · 2021

Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

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Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction