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The Impact of a Slow-Release Large Neutral Amino Acids Supplement on Treatment Adherence in Adult Patients with Phenylketonuria.

ABSTRACT: The gold standard treatment for phenylketonuria (PKU) is a lifelong low-phenylalanine (Phe) diet supplemented with Phe-free protein substitutes. Adherence to therapy becomes difficult after childhood. Supplementing with large neutral amino acids (LNAAs) has been proposed as an alternative medication to Phe-free protein substitutes (i.e., amino acid mixtures). The aim of this study was to evaluate adherence to therapy and quality of life (QoL) in a cohort of sub-optimally controlled adult PKU patients treated with a new LNAA formulation. Twelve patients were enrolled in a 12-month-trial of slow-release LNAAs (1g/kg/day) plus a Phe-restricted diet. Medication adherence was measured with the Morisky Green Levine Medication Adherence Scale; the QoL was measured using the phenylketonuria-quality of life (PKU-QoL) questionnaire. Phe, tyrosine (Tyr) levels, and Phe/Tyr ratios were measured fortnightly. Before treatment, 3/12 patients self-reported a 'medium' adherence to medication and 9/12 reported a low adherence; 60% of patients reported a full adherence over the past four weeks. After 12 months of LNAA treatment, all patients self-reported a high adherence to medication, with 96% reporting a full adherence. Phe levels remained unchanged, while Tyr levels increased in most patients. The Phy/Tyr ratio decreased. All patients had a significant improvement in the QoL. LNAAs may give patients a further opportunity to improve medication adherence and, consequently, their QoL.

SUBMITTER: Burlina AP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7400920 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The Impact of a Slow-Release Large Neutral Amino Acids Supplement on Treatment Adherence in Adult Patients with Phenylketonuria.

Burlina Alessandro P AP Cazzorla Chiara C Massa Pamela P Loro Christian C Gueraldi Daniela D Burlina Alberto B AB

Nutrients 20200714 7

The gold standard treatment for phenylketonuria (PKU) is a lifelong low-phenylalanine (Phe) diet supplemented with Phe-free protein substitutes. Adherence to therapy becomes difficult after childhood. Supplementing with large neutral amino acids (LNAAs) has been proposed as an alternative medication to Phe-free protein substitutes (i.e., amino acid mixtures). The aim of this study was to evaluate adherence to therapy and quality of life (QoL) in a cohort of sub-optimally controlled adult PKU pat ...[more]

PMID: 32674279

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Project description:BackgroundPhenylketonuria (PKU) was the first disorder in which severe neurocognitive dysfunction could be prevented by dietary treatment. However, despite this effect, neuropsychological outcome in PKU still remains suboptimal and the phenylalanine-restricted diet is very demanding. To improve neuropsychological outcome and relieve the dietary restrictions for PKU patients, supplementation of large neutral amino acids (LNAA) is suggested as alternative treatment strategy that might correct all brain biochemical disturbances caused by high blood phenylalanine, and thereby improve neurocognitive functioning.ObjectiveAs a proof-of-principle, this study aimed to investigate all hypothesized biochemical treatment objectives of LNAA supplementation (normalizing brain phenylalanine, non-phenylalanine LNAA, and monoaminergic neurotransmitter concentrations) in PKU mice.MethodsC57Bl/6 Pah-enu2 (PKU) mice and wild-type mice received a LNAA supplemented diet, an isonitrogenic/isocaloric high-protein control diet, or normal chow. After six weeks of dietary treatment, blood and brain amino acid and monoaminergic neurotransmitter concentrations were assessed.ResultsIn PKU mice, the investigated LNAA supplementation regimen significantly reduced blood and brain phenylalanine concentrations by 33% and 26%, respectively, compared to normal chow (p<0.01), while alleviating brain deficiencies of some but not all supplemented LNAA. Moreover, LNAA supplementation in PKU mice significantly increased brain serotonin and norepinephrine concentrations from 35% to 71% and from 57% to 86% of wild-type concentrations (p<0.01), respectively, but not brain dopamine concentrations (p = 0.307).ConclusionsThis study shows that LNAA supplementation without dietary phenylalanine restriction in PKU mice improves brain biochemistry through all three hypothesized biochemical mechanisms. Thereby, these data provide proof-of-concept for LNAA supplementation as a valuable alternative dietary treatment strategy in PKU. Based on these results, LNAA treatment should be further optimized for clinical application with regard to the composition and dose of the LNAA supplement, taking into account all three working mechanisms of LNAA treatment.

Project description:BackgroundPhenylketonuria (PKU) is due to a defective hepatic enzyme, phenylalanine (Phe) hydroxylase. Transport of the precursor amino acids from blood into the brain for serotonin and dopamine synthesis is reported to be inhibited by high blood Phe concentrations. Deficiencies of serotonin and dopamine are involved in neurocognitive dysfunction in PKU.Objective(1) To evaluate the effects of sapropterin (BH4) and concurrent use of large neutral amino acids (LNAA) on the peripheral biomarkers, melatonin and dopamine with the hypothesis they reflect brain serotonin and dopamine metabolism. (2) To evaluate synergistic effects with BH4 and LNAA. (3) To determine the effects of blood Phe concentrations on the peripheral biomarkers concentrations.MethodsNine adults with PKU completed our study consisting of four 4-week phases: (1) LNAA supplementation, (2) Washout, (3) BH4 therapy, and (4) LNAA with BH4 therapy. An overnight protocol measured plasma amino acids, serum melatonin, and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and dopamine in first void urine after each phase.Results(1) Three out of nine subjects responded to BH4. A significant increase of serum melatonin levels was observed in BH4 responders with decreased blood Phe concentration. No significant change in melatonin, dopamine or Phe levels was observed with BH4 in the subjects as a whole. (2) Synergistic effects with BH4 and LNAA were observed in serum melatonin in BH4 responders. (3) The relationship between serum melatonin and Phe showed a significant negative slope (p = 0.0005) with a trend toward differing slopes among individual subjects (p = 0.066). There was also a negative association overall between blood Phe and urine 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and dopamine (P = 0.040 and 0.047).ConclusionBlood Phe concentrations affected peripheral monoamine neurotransmitter biomarker concentrations differently in each individual with PKU. Melatonin levels increased with BH4 therapy only when blood Phe decreased. Monitoring peripheral neurotransmitter metabolites may assist in optimizing individualized treatment in PKU.

Dataset Information

The Impact of a Slow-Release Large Neutral Amino Acids Supplement on Treatment Adherence in Adult Patients with Phenylketonuria.

Publications

The Impact of a Slow-Release Large Neutral Amino Acids Supplement on Treatment Adherence in Adult Patients with Phenylketonuria.

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