Threonine is an amino acid that forms proteins, collagen, elastin (connective tissue protein), and tooth enamel. It is also essential for neurotransmitter production and nervous system health. Threonine helps maintain the proper balance of proteins in the body and liver function, metabolism, and assimilation.
The measurement of threonine, along with 23 other amino acids, is included in the Amino Acids in Plasma and the Amino Acids in Urine tests.
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Threonine (Thr/T) is an essential amino acid for humans. It is mainly found in eggs, milk, cottage cheese, gelatin, fish, poultry, meat products, lentils, black beans, malt, and sesame. Threonine deficiency is more common in strict vegetarians. Threonine is an essential amino acid that forms many proteins, such as tooth enamel, collagen, and elastin. Threonine helps keep connective tissues and muscles strong and elastic throughout the body, including the heart, where it is found in significant amounts. It also helps build strong bones and tooth enamel and speed wound healing or injury recovery. Threonine is an essential amino acid for the nervous system. It plays a vital role in porphyrin metabolism and fat metabolism by preventing fat accumulation in the liver (along with aspartic acid and methionine).
Severe threonine deficiency can cause neurological dysfunctions. Threonine also acts as an immunostimulant that promotes the development of the thymus gland while stimulating the defense functions of cells. Threonine has been used in the treatment of congenital spasticity and multiple sclerosis at a dose of 1 gram daily. The threonine content of most infant formulas today is about 20% higher than the threonine concentration in human milk. Because of this high threonine content, its plasma concentrations are twice as high in formula-fed preterm infants than in human-milk-fed infants. Catabolism of threonine appears to be primarily (70-80%) by the enzyme threonine dehydrogenase, which oxidizes threonine to 2-amino-3-oxo butyrate, ultimately forming glycine and acetyl-CoA.
In contrast, the enzyme threonine dehydrogenase, which catalyzes threonine to 2-oxo butyrate and ammonia, is less active. Increased plasma threonine concentrations lead to the accumulation of threonine and glycine in the brain. This accumulation affects the balance of neurotransmitters and can have consequences for brain development during early infancy. For this reason, excessive intake of threonine during infant feeding should be avoided.
Symptoms of threonine deficiency include emotional disturbances, confusion, indigestion, and fatty infiltration of the liver. Threonine supplementation is beneficial in intestinal disorders and indigestion and has also been used to control stress and mild depression. Threonine is available in supplements such as protein powder and amino acid tablets. The typical dose is between 100 and 500 mg per day. Exceeding recommended doses of threonine can disrupt liver function and cause the formation of increased concentrations of urea and toxic ammonia.
