2009 Studies & Research Blog

The benefits of protein in muscle-building, via the contribution of amino acids, and fat loss, thanks to a high thermic effect, are common knowledge among the fitness community.  But this amazing macronutrient has a variety of other benefits that are unknown to many, and more are being discovered all the time.  For instance, a recent study from the Medical College of Georgia revealed that certain types of protein can actually help scientists identify cases of prostate cancer.

The study, published in the Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, identified the beta-Arrestin2 protein as a way for scientists to assess whether cancer cells are developing in male reproductive organs, notably the prostate.  Additionally, increasing beta-Arrestin2 levels in the prostate may aid in the fight against prostate cancer for those who have the deadly disease.

According to the researchers, prostate cancer initiation and development is a result of an increase in androgen receptors in the prostate.  The increase in androgen receptors allows the cancer to develop by utilizing as much of the body’s available testosterone as possible.  Androgen receptors can also mutate, developing the ability to feed off of other growth factors in the body.  Because of this adaptability, prostate cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to defeat.

The researchers found that androgen receptors and beta-Arrestin2 seemed to have a relationship; when there was an abundance of androgen receptors, as in a cancerous prostate, there were low levels of beta-Arrestin2.  Thus, the researchers reasoned that the opposite would be true and tested the hypothesis by forcing an increase in beta-Arrestin2 levels.  The results were as expected - higher levels of beta-Arrestin2 suppressed the activity and expression of androgen receptors.

While this discovery alone is not enough to defeat prostate cancer, it does open the door for possible treatments, and could change the way prostate cancer is classified.  Additionally, the development of a treatment in the form of a molecule mimicking beta-Arrestin2’s suppression of androgen receptor activity is a goal of the researchers.

And while supplementation of beta-Arrestin2 isn’t an option at this point, this research shows that protein isn’t just for bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts.  While amino acids do play an essential role in building muscle, cellular proteins keep the body functioning at all levels and are much more than simply a source of calories.

SOURCES:

1. Daaka, Yehia, et al. Identification of beta-Arrestin2 as a corepressor of androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Online Early Edition, 2009; 10.1073

2. Medical College of Georgia (2009, May 20). Protein That Suppresses Androgen Receptors Could Improve Prostate Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 26, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2009/05/090520100513.htm