Amino Acids May Speed Bone Repair

By VRP Staff

In a new study, researchers examined the potential benefits of lysine and arginine supplementation in healing of fractures. Previous research suggested that amino acids may speed fracture healing by increasing the local blood supply, supplementing growth factors and improving collagen synthesis. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins whose shape and function is determined by the unique amino acid sequence in each protein.

The amino acids lysine and arginine were added to the diets of test groups of rabbits that had undergone surgical cutting of the ulna, a bone in the forearm. Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means that humans cannot synthesize it and it must be obtained from the diet. Arginine is a conditionally non-essential amino acid, which is an amino acid that the body can produce, but in times of increased need, it must be obtained from the diet as well. Twenty-six rabbits in the test group were fed with a diet rich in lysine and arginine, and another 14 rabbits were fed the standard diet and served as the control group. The broken bones of the rabbits were evaluated until the bones healed.

The results showed that there was enhanced healing of the bones in the group supplemented with arginine and lysine and these bones showed better vascularization, callus formation and mineralization compared to the rabbits fed the standard diet. Furthermore, the healing time in the group of rabbits supplemented with lysine and arginine was reduced by 2 weeks compared to the rabbits fed the standard diet.

The study authors stated, “We conclude that amino acids like arginine and lysine may hasten fracture healing.”

Reference:

Sinha S, Goel SC. Effect of amino acids lysine and arginine on fracture healing in rabbits: A radiological and histomorphological analysis. Indian J Orthop. 2009 Oct;43(4):328-34.