Lysine
Lysine/Drug Interactions:
5-HT4 agonists5-HT4 agonists: According to rat studies, L-lysine may be a partial 5-HT4 receptor antagonist (52). AmphetaminesAmphetamines: In a rat study using diets high in tryptophan, methionine, and tryptophan plus methionine or lysine, lysine was found to interact with amphetamines to a low degree (73). AntibioticsAntibiotics: Beta-lysine may have bactericidal effects in human blood (17; 18). Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: According to in vitro research, L-lysine at concentrations below 0.05M may inhibit fibrinolysis and inhibit platelet aggregation (30; 29). Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In human research, 1g of L-lysine with glyciphage (Glucophage) or chlorformine showed an increase in enzyme activity and a decrease in blood sugar (41). Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: According to a clinical trial, oral administration of L-lysine monohydrochloride and L-tryptophan may significantly decrease plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels (25). However, high doses of lysine may elevate cholesterol levels, according to a study in chickens (43). Antiviral agentsAntiviral agents: Lysine has been claimed to be effective in the treatment and prevention of episodes of recurrent herpes simplex infection (74). However, there are conflicting results from some higher-quality clinical studies (75; 35; 36; 37; 38; 58). Based on these results, it is not clear whether or not L-lysine would interact with herpes treatments. AprotininAprotinin: Lysine may inhibit the renal tubular reabsorption of some peptides and proteins, including aprotinin (44; 45; 46). ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: According to in vitro research, lysine may alter immune function and prevent the activation of complement-1 (26). Nephrotoxic agentsNephrotoxic agents: A case of a 44 year-old woman developing Fanconi's syndrome in association with use of oral L-lysine has been mentioned in a case report (40). The authors also reported development of severe tubulointerstitial nephritis and eventual progression to chronic renal failure, however, details are lacking. Lysine/Herb/Supplement Interactions:
Amino acidsAmino acids: In a study of suckling hyperphenylalaninemic rats, the injection of phenylalanine, alpha-methylphenylalanine, and lysine prevented the depletion of amino acids from the blood and brain tissue, and the retardation of brain growth (76). AntibacterialsAntibacterials: Beta-lysine may have bactericidal effects in human blood (17; 18). Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: According to in vitro research, L-lysine at concentrations below 0.05M may inhibit fibrinolysis and inhibit platelet aggregation (30; 29). AntilipemicsAntilipemics: According to a clinical trial, oral administration of L-lysine monohydrochloride and L-tryptophan may significantly decrease plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels (25). However, high doses of lysine may elevate cholesterol levels, according to a study in chickens (43). AntiviralsAntivirals: Lysine has been claimed to be effective in the treatment and prevention of episodes of recurrent herpes simplex infection (74). However, there are conflicting results from some higher-quality clinical studies (75; 35; 36; 37; 38; 58). Based on these results, it is not clear whether or not L-lysine would interact with herpes treatments. ArginineArginine: According to secondary sources, arginine and lysine share a common cellular transport pathway. Therefore, excess arginine may compete for transport and lower lysine levels, potentially resulting in deficiency.CalciumCalcium: In two clinical studies conducted by Civitelli et al., supplementation of calcium and L-lysine significantly increased intestinal absorption of calcium and improved its renal conservation (14; 15). CarnitineCarnitine: According to a case report, carnitine supplementation in patients with lysinuric protein intolerance may increase serum carnitine and lysine levels (77). HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In human research, 1g of L-lysine with glyciphage (Glucophage) or chlorformine showed an increase in enzyme activity and a decrease in blood sugar (41). ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: According to in vitro research, lysine may alter immune function and prevent the activation of complement-1 (26). IronIron: In an open study of women with increased hair shedding, L-lysine and iron therapy reduced hair loss (24). Nephrotoxic agentsNephrotoxic agents: A case of a 44 year-old woman developing Fanconi's syndrome in association with use of oral L-lysine has been mentioned in a case report (40). The authors also reported development of severe tubulointerstitial nephritis and eventual progression to chronic renal failure, however, details are lacking. ZincZinc: According to a study of newborn infants on total parenteral nutrition, lysine may bind to zinc and may increase its renal ultrafilterability (78). Lysine/Food Interactions:
Arginine-containing foodsArginine-containing foods: According to secondary sources, arginine and lysine share a common cellular transport pathway. Therefore, excess arginine may compete for transport and lower lysine levels, potentially resulting in deficiency.Calcium-containing foodsCalcium-containing foods: In two clinical studies conducted by Civitelli et al., supplementation of calcium and L-lysine significantly increased intestinal absorption of calcium and improved its renal conservation (14; 15). Carnitine-containing foodsCarnitine-containing foods: According to a case report, carnitine supplementation in patients with lysinuric protein intolerance may increase serum carnitine and lysine levels (77). Iron-containing foodsIron-containing foods: In an open study of women with increased hair shedding, L-lysine and iron therapy reduced hair loss (24). Protein-containing foodsProtein-containing foods: Lysine may inhibit the renal tubular reabsorption of some peptides and proteins (44; 45; 46). Zinc-containing foodsZinc-containing foods: According to a study of newborn infants on total parenteral nutrition, lysine may bind to zinc and may increase its renal ultrafilterability (78). Lysine/Lab Interactions:
Albumin levelsAlbumin levels: Mogensen noted that there may be abnormal albumin excretion after lysine injection in diabetics (42). AmylaseAmylase: Injection of high doses of lysine in rats caused necrosis of pancreatic acinar cells with fat necrosis and a significant increase in serum amylase and lipase (47). Blood glucoseBlood glucose: In human research, 1g of L-lysine with glyciphage (Glucophage) or chlorformine showed an increase in enzyme activity and a decrease in blood sugar (41). Bone mineral densityBone mineral density: L-lysine may be beneficial to bone health, especially in osteoporosis (28). In two clinical studies conducted by Civitelli et al., supplementation of calcium and L-lysine significantly increased intestinal absorption of calcium and improved its renal conservation (14; 15). In a study of human osteoblasts, L-lysine supplementation increased cell proliferation, and a combination of L-arginine and L-lysine increased matrix synthesis and activation of cell proliferation (16). Brain natriuretic peptideBrain natriuretic peptide: According to a pharmacological study, L-lysine may increase plasma natriuretic peptide concentrations (79). CalciumCalcium: In two clinical studies conducted by Civitelli et al., supplementation of calcium and L-lysine significantly increased intestinal absorption of calcium and improved its renal conservation (14; 15). CarnitineCarnitine: According to a case report, carnitine supplementation in patients with lysinuric protein intolerance may increase serum carnitine and lysine levels (77). Coagulation panelCoagulation panel: According to in vitro research, L-lysine at concentrations below 0.05M may inhibit fibrinolysis and affect platelet aggregation (30; 29). CreatinineCreatinine: A case of a 44 year-old woman developing Fanconi's syndrome in association with use of oral L-lysine has been mentioned in a case report (40). The authors also reported development of severe tubulointerstitial nephritis and eventual progression to chronic renal failure, however, details are lacking. ElectrolytesElectrolytes: According to a pharmacological study, L-lysine may increase plasma electrolyte concentrations (79). LipaseLipase: Injection of high doses of lysine in rats caused necrosis of pancreatic acinar cells with fat necrosis and a significant increase in serum amylase and lipase (47). Lipid profileLipid profile: According to a clinical trial, oral administration of L-lysine monohydrochloride and L-tryptophan may significantly decrease plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels (25). However, high doses of lysine may elevate cholesterol levels, according to a study in chickens (43). Monoclonal antibody imagingMonoclonal antibody imaging: According to a mouse study, coadministration of L-lysine with labeled single-chain variable fragments (scFv) may improve tumor to muscle or organ contrast (80). Renal function testsRenal function tests: A case of a 44 year-old woman developing Fanconi's syndrome in association with use of oral L-lysine has been mentioned in a case report (40). The authors also reported development of severe tubulointerstitial nephritis and eventual progression to chronic renal failure, however, details are lacking. Serum copperSerum copper: In a clinical trial of amino acid supplementation in infants on total parenteral nutrition, urinary copper excretion increased (81). Thymulin levelsThymulin levels: According to clinical studies of the elderly and cancer patients, supplementation with a lysine-arginine preparation (Lysargin?, Baldacci, Italy) may increase thymulin levels (49). UrinalysisUrinalysis: In a clinical trial of amino acid supplementation in infants on total parenteral nutrition, urinary copper excretion increased (81). Mogensen noted that there may be abnormal albumin excretion after lysine injection in diabetics (42). ZincZinc: According to a study of newborn infants on total parenteral nutrition, lysine may bind to zinc and may increase its renal ultrafilterability (78).