甘氨酸生理功能与代谢研究进展

Physiological function of glycine and its role in metabolism:research advances

甘氨酸是结构最简单的氨基酸,参与体内多种代谢和病理生理学过程。甘氨酸在中枢神经系统中可作为神经递质参与信号传递,并在免疫调节、细胞保护、防护缺血再灌注损伤、减少自由基生成、减少休克损伤、预防酒精性肝病等方面发挥重要作用。在生物转化方面,甘氨酸除构成蛋白质外,还参与合成多种重要含氮物质,如嘌呤碱、血红素和细胞色素的卟啉环、肌酸、谷胱甘肽及甘氨胆酸等。此外,甘氨酸还可与大量内源性物质及药物发生Ⅱ相结合反应,影响相关药物的代谢排泄,起到解毒作用。本文就甘氨酸生理功能及在代谢中作用的研究进展进行综述,以期为甘氨酸在药物研发和临床合理应用方面提供参考,并为甘氨酸与药物Ⅱ相结合反应的进一步研究提供借鉴。

Glycine,the amino acid which has the simplest structure,is involved in various metabolic and pathophysiological processes. Glycine could be involved in signal transmission in the central nervous system as a neurotransmitter. It also plays an important role in many aspects such as immune regulation,cell protection,protecting ischemia-reperfusion injury,reducing free radical production,reducing shock damage and preventing alcoholic liver disease. In terms of biotransformation,in addition to constructing protein,glycine is also involved in the synthesis of many important nitrogen compounds,such as purine,heme and cytochrome porphyrin ring,creatine,glutathione and glycocholic acid. Morever,by participating in the phase Ⅱ conjugation reaction,glycine could conjugate with a large number of endogenous substances and drugs,influence some drugs′ metabolism and excretion,and play a role in decreasing the toxicity. This review provides an overview of the research progress on the physiological function of glycine and its role in metabolism,in order to provide a reference for glycine′s application in drug research and clinical rational and effective use,as well as for further research on the phase Ⅱconjugation reaction between glycine and drugs.