Beta-Aminoisobutyric Acid Unit Converter

Beta-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA) is a non-protein amino acid produced during the breakdown of valine and thymine. It functions as a signaling metabolite released by skeletal muscle during exercise, sometimes called a myokine.

BAIBA exists as two enantiomers with distinct origins. L-BAIBA (S-BAIBA) is produced from valine catabolism in muscle mitochondria and is the form most closely tied to exercise. D-BAIBA (R-BAIBA) comes from thymine degradation in the cytoplasm, primarily in the liver and kidneys. In plasma, D-BAIBA concentrations are roughly 40-fold higher than L-BAIBA.

Research interest in BAIBA has grown as studies link higher levels to favorable metabolic health, improved insulin sensitivity, fat browning, and bone protection.

L-BAIBA is produced in skeletal muscle mitochondria from valine breakdown, driven by PGC-1α during exercise. D-BAIBA is produced from thymine degradation primarily in the liver and kidneys, and its levels are regulated by the enzyme AGXT2.