Harm of succinic acid for the human body

Our body produces and receives with food at least 200 g of succinic acid daily and uses it for normal metabolism and providing cells with energy. However, in many pathological conditions and diseases, this acid is taken in the form of preparations and bioadditives. Can there be harm to succinic acid in such cases?

Unusual ordinary succinic acid

Not all organic carboxylic acids are of such interest to biochemists and physicians as 1,4-butanedioic or succinic acid, an intermediate product of the Krebs cycle, a substrate and a catalyst for biological processes in the body, including ATP synthesis, oxidation-reduction reactions, acid- basic homeostasis, etc.

Numerous reviews of cardiologists, endocrinologists, neurologists, and immunologists testify to succinic acid, which has a huge potential and spectrum of therapeutic effect: antioxidant, antihypoxic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, restorative.

More detailed information in the material - Preparations with succinic acid

Experiments have shown that succinic acid helps to reduce fatigue, increases efficiency, physical endurance and mental abilities, accelerates recovery after severe illnesses and surgeries.

Other useful properties of succinic acid are described in this article.

What is the harm of succinic acid?

But, as you know, absolutely harmless drugs do not happen. However, 40 years ago, the US Food and Drug Administration stated that "there is no evidence that succinic acid is dangerous to humans or animals. In addition, the animals on which experiments were performed transfer succinic acid in sufficiently large doses. However, a reasonable average daily dose of succinic acid added to food should not be above 0.01 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. This is an order of magnitude less than the amount of succinate, which causes toxic symptoms in experimental animals. "

If there were toxic symptoms, it means that they could damage succinic acid? And in experimental animals, according to reports of researchers, there were gastrointestinal bleeding, diarrhea, lethargy, weight loss; damage to the eyes; erythema and swelling of the skin - here's the harm of succinic acid for the skin (after all, most simple mono- and dicarboxylic acids manifest themselves in this way).

Indian biologists gave this acid to rats, and in 36% of rodents, stones were formed in the bladder a month later. And the results of a study of the influence of succinic acid on the mucous membrane of the colon in rats were published in The Journal of Gastroenterology. It turned out that the more the level of succinic acid in the body, the more intense the formation of erosion of the mucous membrane of the colon. It has been suggested that damage to the mucosa is caused by a decrease in blood flow and infiltration of the mucosa by polymorphonuclear cells that generate superoxide radicals. As a result, reactive oxygen species led to the development of oxidative stress and apoptosis of cells.

Amber acid is a nutritional supplement, but very biologically active

But back to the people. The FDA Registry (2004) states that succinic acid is a food additive (E363) that regulates the acidity of food products and is permitted for direct addition to them if the amount of the substance does not exceed the reasonable quantities required (6 g per kilogram of product).

Endogenous succinic acid is one of the main catalysts for the degradation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, therefore, acting as an exogenous component, it can lead to increased psychomotor agitation. In this case, it is obvious the harm of succinic acid for children, which parents give it with good intentions, but without the advice of a doctor. Succinate is active and capable of provoking not only insomnia, dizziness, fever and diuresis, but also damage to tooth enamel, increased acidity of gastric juice (and, hence, damage to its mucous membrane); pain in muscles and joints; problems with the liver, kidneys and bladder.

Note the list of contraindications for drugs that contain succinic acid as the main active ingredient. It is a gastritis with high acidity and a stomach ulcer (and duodenal ulcer); urolithiasis; IHD; functional kidney failure, etc.

Amber acid is not transformed in the liver into metabolites: its molecules are partially embedded between the molecules of phospholipid cell membranes. Also, the ability of succinic acid to local interstitial (extracellular) accumulation in damaged and ischemic tissues of the liver, kidneys, brain, and also in blood plasma has been revealed.

Several years ago, the metabolic receptor of succinate GPR91 was classified, which is expressed in the kidneys and binds succinate as a ligand. This can lead to the release of renin by the glomerular apparatus of effector cells of the kidneys and activation of the renin-angiotensin system. This is the development of hypertension induced by succinic acid.

And the accumulation of succinic acid and its compounds in the liver parenchyma (also having GPR91 receptors) is fraught with the proliferation of connective tissue, that is, fibrosis.

Probably everyone needs to bear in mind that good and harm are antagonists, so the harm of succinic acid and its benefits should be studied, not absolutized, misleading people who are inclined to believe in panacea.

[1], [2], [3]