Impact of obesity on aromatic amino acids and brain glucose during acute hyperglycemia

American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism 2026 Open access

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Authors: Brooke C. Matson, Felona Gunawan, Douglas L. Rothman, Graeme F. Mason, Olga Ilkayeva, Christopher B. Newgard, Janice Jin Hwang
DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00463.2025
Cited by: 0
References: 38

Abstract

We related early insulin resistance-associated peripheral factors with brain glucose measured by 13 C magnetic resonance spectroscopy during acute hyperglycemia in young, healthy adults with and without obesity. Plasma amino acids including aromatic amino acids and glucagon were higher in obesity during acute hyperglycemia. There were negative correlations between aromatic amino acids and glucagon with the change in brain glucose. These findings may be related to brain oxidative stress and neurotransmitter synthesis in obesity.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Adipokines Inflammation and Metabolic Diseases Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies Regulation of Appetite and Obesity

Publication details

Journal / source
American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume
330
Issue
3
Pages
E346–E355
Publication date
5 February 2026
Language
EN