Keeping in mind this study was done with mice, it appears there are two ways to improve pluripotency: with supplemental glutamine, or with α–ketoglutarate (and presumably, various precursors thereof). In adults, this should improve the function of VSELs -- the pluripotent backup to adult stem cells and the main target for the protocols of this thread.
Given that valine, threonine, methionine and isoleucine feed into the krebs cycle at succinyl-coA, the step between AKG and Succinate, we might now want to avoid those amino acids if we really believe the succinate:AKG ratio is what is important in maintaining pluirpotency. Or might it be that such AAs relieve fatigue during the protocol precisely because they boost succinate?
Leucine however increases the conversion of glutamate to AKG, so might be desirable.
https://link.springe...0726-016-2254-8
With the help of transport systems, extracellular L-glutamine crosses the plasma membrane and is converted into alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) through two pathways, namely, the glutaminase (GLS) I and II pathway. Reversely, AKG can be converted into glutamine by glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and glutamine synthetase (GS), or be converted into CO2 via the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and provide energy for the cells.
Edited by QuestforLife, 08 July 2020 - 12:09 PM.