Glycine - A "novel" Antiinflammatory Agent

[haidut]

The study is a good review on the many good properties of glycine, but specifically its use for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. One of the new things that I learned from this study is that glycine acts as a calcium blocking agent, so it should be good for a variety of conditions associated with calcification such as CVD, diabetes, various conditions with fibrosis, etc. This also explains why gelatin helps many people with conditions Chron's, IBS / IBD, NAFLD, and so on.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12589194

"...As a consequence, agonist-induced opening of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels and the resulting increases in intracellular calcium ions are suppressed, which may account for the immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory effects of glycine. Lastly, glycine blocks the opening of relatively non-specific pores in the plasma membrane that occurs as the penultimate event leading to necrotic cell death."

 

[aguilaroja]

Glycine also protects against ischemic (reduced blow flow) injuries:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22044190

Ischaemia is amongst the leading causes of death. Despite this importance, there are only a few therapeutic approaches to protect from ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). In experimental studies, the amino acid glycine effectively protected from IRI. In the prevention of IRI by glycine in cells and isolated perfused or cold-stored organs (tissues), direct cytoprotection plays a crucial role, most likely by prevention of the formation of pathological plasma membrane pores. Under in vivo conditions, the mechanism of protection by glycine is less clear, partly due to the physiological presence of the amino acid. Here, inhibition of the inflammatory response in the injured tissue is considered to contribute decisively to the glycine-induced reduction of IRI. However, attenuation of IRI recently achieved in experimental animals by low-dose glycine treatment regimens suggests additional/other (unknown) protective mechanisms.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3413844/

 

[haidut]

Glycine also protects against ischemic (reduced blow flow) injuries:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22044190

Ischaemia is amongst the leading causes of death. Despite this importance, there are only a few therapeutic approaches to protect from ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). In experimental studies, the amino acid glycine effectively protected from IRI. In the prevention of IRI by glycine in cells and isolated perfused or cold-stored organs (tissues), direct cytoprotection plays a crucial role, most likely by prevention of the formation of pathological plasma membrane pores. Under in vivo conditions, the mechanism of protection by glycine is less clear, partly due to the physiological presence of the amino acid. Here, inhibition of the inflammatory response in the injured tissue is considered to contribute decisively to the glycine-induced reduction of IRI. However, attenuation of IRI recently achieved in experimental animals by low-dose glycine treatment regimens suggests additional/other (unknown) protective mechanisms.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3413844/

This seems to vibe well with the Russian use of low-dose glycine. In Russia, glycine tablets often in the 50mg-100mg range are sold as prescription drug for dementia, liver problems, and all sorts of other ailments that refuse to succumb to the official "treatment" course. In fact, it seems that glycine has a very low "saturation" point in terms of benefit for some IRI conditions (small intestine in this case). Here is a quote from the study above:

"...Again in experiments in rats, we recently demonstrated that even a very low glycine dose (5, 10, 20 or 75 mg·kg−1, total doses, infused i.v. before ischaemia and during reperfusion) effectively diminished ischaemia–reperfusion injury; already upon infusion of 10 mg glycine per kilogram, maximal protection was obtained (Petrat et al., 2011)."

Assuming bioavailability conversion ratio of 10:1 for IVral administration of glycine, this means that in humans a dose of 1,000mg - 1,500mg is all you need. This is easily achievable with only a teaspoon of gelatin (5g, of which 30% is glycine) or 2-3 capsules of isolated glycine from a health store (they most often sell 500mg capsules).

 

[Vinero]

Interesting finding!
Does magnesium glycinate also count as glycine?
I can't seem to find a good glycine supplement here.

 

[haidut]

Interesting finding!
Does magnesium glycinate also count as glycine?
I can't seem to find a good glycine supplement here.

It does count as glycine, and if you take the RDA dose for magnesium (400mg) using that supplement you should be getting 1g+ of glycine from it per dose.

 

[haidut]

Just wanted to point out a good quote from the study "aguilaroja" posted above. It seems to match well Ray's description of cell injury under energy deprivation - i.e. cell releases potassium and absorbs sodium and calcium, leading ultimately to cell death.

"...Triggered by the impaired energy production, disturbances of the cellular sodium and calcium homeostasis, activation of hydrolases and increases in the permeability of intracellular membranes and of the plasma membrane may result in functional alterations of the cells or in cell death."


Also from the study, there is a picture inside (see attached image) that depicts a number of components that have the same or very similar protective effects as glycine. Those are taurine, beta alanine, serine, and GABA - all of which have been pointed out by Ray in his articles.

http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/gelatin.shtml

"...In the context of the excitatory actions of estrogen, and the inhibitory action of glycine, it would be reasonable to think of glycine as one of the antiestrogenic substances. Another type of amino acid, taurine, is structurally similar to glycine (and to beta amino propanoic acid, and to GABA), and it can be thought of as antiestrogenic in this context. The specific kinds of excitation produced by estrogen that relate to reproduction occur against a background of very generalized cellular excitation, that includes increased sensitivity of sensory nerves, increased activity of motor nerves, changes in the EEG, and, if the estrogen effect is very high, epilepsy, tetany, or psychosis."

Here is another study on the structural analogs of glycine and their benefits:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2253849/

Keep in mind that Ray's article on glycine was written most likely in the 1990s and the study "aguilaroja" posted is from 2012. What can I say, the man knows his stuff

 

[gummybear]

The study is a good review on the many good properties of glycine, but specifically its use for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. One of the new things that I learned from this study is that glycine acts as a calcium blocking agent, so it should be good for a variety of conditions associated with calcification such as CVD, diabetes, various conditions with fibrosis, etc. This also explains why gelatin helps many people with conditions Chron's, IBS / IBD, NAFLD, and so on.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12589194

"...As a consequence, agonist-induced opening of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels and the resulting increases in intracellular calcium ions are suppressed, which may account for the immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory effects of glycine. Lastly, glycine blocks the opening of relatively non-specific pores in the plasma membrane that occurs as the penultimate event leading to necrotic cell death."

Regarding the calcium thing, is that why my nails became fabulous with glycine?

 

[haidut]

The study is a good review on the many good properties of glycine, but specifically its use for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. One of the new things that I learned from this study is that glycine acts as a calcium blocking agent, so it should be good for a variety of conditions associated with calcification such as CVD, diabetes, various conditions with fibrosis, etc. This also explains why gelatin helps many people with conditions Chron's, IBS / IBD, NAFLD, and so on.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12589194

"...As a consequence, agonist-induced opening of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels and the resulting increases in intracellular calcium ions are suppressed, which may account for the immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory effects of glycine. Lastly, glycine blocks the opening of relatively non-specific pores in the plasma membrane that occurs as the penultimate event leading to necrotic cell death."

Regarding the calcium thing, is that why my nails became fabulous with glycine?

I think that's more related to glycine being a building-block of collagen. Skin, hair and nails all benefit from increased glycine intake.

 

[LeeLemonoil]

Oral Exposure To The Free Amino Acid Glycine Inhibits The Acute Allergic Response In A Model Of Cow'

 

[haidut]

Oral Exposure To The Free Amino Acid Glycine Inhibits The Acute Allergic Response In A Model Of Cow'

That's a great fine, thanks. The amino acid theanine may also have similar effects in dampening/preventing allergies.
Theanine Is An Antihistamine

 

[Philomath]

The study is a good review on the many good properties of glycine, but specifically its use for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. One of the new things that I learned from this study is that glycine acts as a calcium blocking agent, so it should be good for a variety of conditions associated with calcification such as CVD, diabetes, various conditions with fibrosis, etc. This also explains why gelatin helps many people with conditions Chron's, IBS / IBD, NAFLD, and so on.

L-Glycine: a novel antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cytoprotective agent. - PubMed - NCBI

"...As a consequence, agonist-induced opening of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels and the resulting increases in intracellular calcium ions are suppressed, which may account for the immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory effects of glycine. Lastly, glycine blocks the opening of relatively non-specific pores in the plasma membrane that occurs as the penultimate event leading to necrotic cell death."

@haidut
Can you help me sort this out? I understand the benefits of Glycine in general but there are several studies showing glycine as a driver of cancer. Are these legit?
Amino acid consumption associated with how fast cancer cells divide
Serine and glycine metabolism in cancer
Cancer Cells’ Reliance on Glycine Jul 4, 2012 · Rapidly dividing cancer cells require the amino acid glycine, report researchers from Harvard Medical School and their colleagues

 

[Philomath]

The study is a good review on the many good properties of glycine, but specifically its use for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. One of the new things that I learned from this study is that glycine acts as a calcium blocking agent, so it should be good for a variety of conditions associated with calcification such as CVD, diabetes, various conditions with fibrosis, etc. This also explains why gelatin helps many people with conditions Chron's, IBS / IBD, NAFLD, and so on.

PubMed - NCBI

"...As a consequence, agonist-induced opening of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels and the resulting increases in intracellular calcium ions are suppressed, which may account for the immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory effects of glycine. Lastly, glycine blocks the opening of relatively non-specific pores in the plasma membrane that occurs as the penultimate event leading to necrotic cell death."

@haidut,
I understand the benefits of Glycine in general but there are several studies outlining the negative aspect of glycine for people with cancer. Dr. Peat recommended some gelatin to counter the bad amino acids (methionine, tryptophan, cysteine). However, with regards to cancer, is Glycine fine at any amount, acceptable at small doses, or to be avoided?
Amino acid consumption associated with how fast cancer cells divide
Serine and glycine metabolism in cancer
Cancer Cells’ Reliance on Glycine Jul 4, 2012 · Rapidly dividing cancer cells require the amino acid glycine, report researchers from Harvard Medical School and their colleagues

 

[haidut]

@haidut,
I understand the benefits of Glycine in general but there are several studies outlining the negative aspect of glycine for people with cancer. Dr. Peat recommended some gelatin to counter the bad amino acids (methionine, tryptophan, cysteine). However, with regards to cancer, is Glycine fine at any amount, acceptable at small doses, or to be avoided?
Amino acid consumption associated with how fast cancer cells divide
Serine and glycine metabolism in cancer
Cancer Cells’ Reliance on Glycine Jul 4, 2012 · Rapidly dividing cancer cells require the amino acid glycine, report researchers from Harvard Medical School and their colleagues

This has been asked and answered several times before. All of these are in vitro studies. The in-vivo studies all show inhibition of tumor growth by glycine. Just search the forum for "glycine cancer".