L-threonine is used in medicine

L-Threonine has broad application prospects in the pharmaceutical field, mainly reflected in the following aspects:  

Ⅰ. Treatment of Metabolic Diseases  

1. Diabetes  

L-threonine is involved in the regulation of protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism in the body. In diabetic patients, it helps regulate glucose metabolism, improve insulin resistance, and assist in blood sugar control. Additionally, by promoting protein synthesis, it reduces muscle protein loss caused by diabetes, thereby improving overall physical function.  

2. Hyperlipidemia  

L-Threonine can regulate lipid metabolism, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, and reduce fat accumulation on blood vessel walls. This helps prevent and alleviate hyperlipidemia and its associated cardiovascular diseases.  

3. Liver Diseases  

As an essential nutrient for liver metabolism, L-Threonine helps maintain normal liver function, promotes liver cell repair and regeneration, and provides supportive therapy for liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. It also reduces hepatic fat accumulation and improves fat metabolism in the liver.  

Ⅱ. Anti-Tumor Therapy  

1. Inhibiting Tumor Cell Proliferation  

L-Threonine may affect metabolic pathways or signal transduction in tumor cells, thereby inhibiting their growth and division. Studies have shown that it can regulate key enzyme activity and gene expression in tumor cells, slowing their proliferation rate.  

2. Inducing Tumor Cell Apoptosis  

L-Threonine can activate apoptotic signaling pathways in tumor cells, leading to tumor cell apoptosis and reducing the overall tumor burden, contributing to anti-tumor effects.  

3. Enhancing the Efficacy of Chemotherapy Drugs  

When used in combination with chemotherapy drugs, L-Threonine may regulate tumor cell behavior, increase their sensitivity to chemotherapy, and enhance the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy. Additionally, it may reduce the damage caused by chemotherapy drugs to normal cells.  

Ⅲ. Immune Regulation  

1. Enhancing Immune Cell Function  

L-Threonine is an essential nutrient for the proliferation and differentiation of immune cells. It promotes the production and maturation of T cells and B cells, improving their activity and function, thereby enhancing the body's immune response and resistance to pathogens.  

2. Regulating Immune Factor Secretion  

L-Threonine participates in the regulation of immune factors such as cytokines and antibodies, helping to maintain immune balance.  

In autoimmune diseases, it helps modulate excessive immune responses, reducing inflammatory damage.  

In infectious diseases, it enhances immune factor secretion, improving the body's ability to eliminate pathogens.  

Ⅳ. Nutritional Support  

1. Nutritional Supplementation for Special Populations  

For patients who cannot eat normally or have insufficient protein intake (such as postoperative patients, burn victims, and the elderly), L-Threonine serves as an important nutritional supplement. It promotes protein synthesis, aids in physical recovery, enhances immunity, and accelerates wound healing.  

2. Component of Enteral Nutrition Formulations  

L-Threonine is often added to enteral nutrition formulations to optimize amino acid composition and improve nutritional value. It helps meet patients' nutritional needs, maintain intestinal mucosal integrity, and reduce the risk of bacterial translocation and infections.  

Ⅴ. Drug Carrier and Delivery System  

1. Enhancing Drug Targeting  

Through chemical modification, L-Threonine can bind to drugs or serve as a component of carrier materials, facilitating the construction of targeted drug delivery systems. This allows drugs to reach diseased tissues or cells more precisely, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while reducing damage to normal tissues.  

2. Improving Drug Stability  

Due to its good biocompatibility and stability, L-Threonine can be incorporated into drug formulations to increase drug stability in vivo and in vitro. It helps extend drug half-life and ensures drug effectiveness during transport and administration.  

Ⅵ. Neuroprotection and Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases  

1. Participating in Neurotransmitter Synthesis  

L-Threonine serves as a precursor for certain neurotransmitters, such as glycine. It helps regulate neurotransmitter levels, ensuring proper nerve signal transmission, which may benefit cognitive function and alleviate symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases.  

2. Antioxidant Effects and Neuroprotection  

L-Threonine exhibits antioxidant properties, scavenging free radicals in nerve cells and reducing oxidative stress-related damage. This protective effect may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.