Functions and Metabolism of Amino Acids in Bones and Joints of Cats and Dogs

The boneBone is a large and complex organ (12–15% of body weight) consisting of specialized connective tissues (boneBone matrixMatrix and boneBone marrowMarrow), whereas jointsJoints are composed of cartilageCartilage, tendonsTendon, ligamentsLigaments, synovialSynovial jointJoints capsules and membranesMembrane, and a synovialSynovial jointJoints cavity filled with synovialSynovial fluid. Maintaining healthy bonesBone and jointsJoints is a dynamic and complex process, as boneBone deposition (formation of new boneBone materials) and resorptionResorption (breakdown of the boneBone matrixMatrix to release calciumCalcium and phosphorusPhosphorus) are the continuous processes to determine boneBone balance. BonesBone are required for locomotion, protection of internal organs, and have endocrine functionsFunction to maintain mineralMineral homeostasisHomeostasis. JointsJoints are responsible for resisting mechanical stressStress/trauma, aiding in locomotion, and supporting the overall musculoskeletal system. Amino acidsAmino acid have multiple regulatory, compositional, metabolic, and functional roles in maintaining the healthHealth of bonesBone and jointsJoints. Their disordersDisorder are prevalent in mammalsMammal and significantly reduce the qualityQuality of life. These abnormalitiesabnormalities in companionCompanion animalsAnimal, specifically catsCat and dogsDog, commonly lead to elective euthanasia due to the poor qualityQuality of life. Multiple disordersDisorder of bones and joints result from genetic predisposition and are heritable, but other factors such as nutritionNutrition, growthGrowth rate, trauma, and physical activity affect how the disorderDisorder manifests. TreatmentsTreatment for catsCat and dogsDog are primarily to slow the progression of these disordersDisorder and assist in painPain managementManagement. Therapeutic supplementsSupplements such as Cosequin and formulated dietsDiet rich in amino acidsAmino acid are used commonly as treatmentsTreatment for companionCompanion animalsAnimal to reduce painPain and slow the progression of those diseases. Also, amino acidsAmino acid (e.g., taurineTaurine, arginineArginine, glycineGlycine, prolineProline, and 4-hydroxyproline), and glucosamineGlucosamine reduce inflammationInflammation and painPain in animalsAnimal with boneBone and jointJoints disordersDisorder. Gaining insight into how amino acidsAmino acid functionFunction in maintaining boneBone and jointJoints healthHealth can aid in developing preventative dietsDiet and therapeutic supplementationsSupplementation of amino acidsAmino acid to improve the qualityQuality of life in companionCompanion animalsAnimal.