Background and aims: Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine collectively known as Branchedchain
amino acids (BCAAs), can be closely associated with metabolic dysregulates and
with insulin resistance. We aimed to explore the role of BCAAs as potential treatment
option for diabetes. Material and method: Bioassay the effect of BCAAs on MIN6 cell
line on insulin secretion and pancreatic beta cells expansion, then were checked for
inhibitory potential of pancreatic amylase, glucosidase and lipase as alternative
approach for diabetes treatment. Results: BCAAs significantly enhance insulin secretion
parallel to L-alanine efficacy. Furthermore, BCAAs obtain a dose dependent β-cell
proliferation similar to glucagon-like peptide-1. Moreover, these acids could restore the
secretory function of MIN6 β-cell despite stressful gluco-lipo-toxicity; separately or
combined. Moreover, BCAAs exerted a dose dependent dual inhibition of amylase,
glucosidase and lipase. Conclusions: Our current findings suggest that BCAAs
supplementation may have a potential therapeutic effect against diabetes as insulin
releasing agent and as specific inhibitors for both -amylase/α-amyloglucoside and lipase
key words: BCAAs, insulin secretion, beta cells proliferation, amylase, glucosidase and
lipase