A recent study published in Cell Metabolism suggests that dietary changes limiting the amino acids glutamine and serine may help slow disease progression in pulmonary hypertension and improve the effectiveness of current medications. Pulmonary hypertension affects about 1% of the world’s population and currently has no cure. Lead researcher Stephen Y. Chan and his team found that lung blood vessel fibroblasts in pulmonary hypertension have a heightened need for these amino acids to produce excess collagen. By restricting the intake of glutamine and serine in a mouse model, researchers were able to reduce collagen production, vessel stiffening, and disease progression.
Through their findings, the research team also developed a new noninvasive diagnostic test for pulmonary hypertension using positron emission tomography (PET) scan technology and a glutamine imaging tracer. This test helps doctors identify cells in the body that are “hungry” for glutamine and make a diagnosis without the need for invasive procedures like cardiac catheterization. The ability to diagnose pulmonary hypertension noninvasively could improve early detection and treatment outcomes for patients. While the research was conducted in animal models, a clinical trial is underway to test the new PET technology in patients with pulmonary hypertension.
For the first time, researchers have evidence to suggest that specific dietary adjustments, particularly reducing glutamine and serine consumption, may be an effective way to treat pulmonary hypertension. While this finding opens up new possibilities for managing the disease, lead researcher Chan cautioned against over-interpreting the results and advised against attempting drastic amino acid restrictions in a normal human diet. More research is needed to determine the therapeutic effects of lower levels of amino acid restriction and identify safer dietary maneuvers that can complement existing treatments for pulmonary hypertension.
Medical experts, including cardiologist Cheng-Han Chen and registered dietitian nutritionist Monique Richard, believe that a dietary approach to managing pulmonary hypertension could offer a more accessible treatment option for patients. However, Chen emphasized the importance of further clinical studies to validate the effects of glutamine and serine intake on pulmonary hypertension in humans, not just in animal models. Richard highlighted the importance of meeting with a registered dietitian nutritionist to assess diet composition and ensure balanced amino acid intake, as well as addressing other lifestyle factors that can contribute to overall health and well-being.
In conclusion, the study suggests that dietary changes limiting glutamine and serine intake may hold promise for slowing disease progression in pulmonary hypertension. The development of a noninvasive diagnostic test using PET technology could improve early detection and treatment outcomes for patients. While further research is needed to validate these findings in human trials, the study offers a new perspective on managing pulmonary hypertension through dietary interventions in addition to current treatment options.
