Editing Lysine (section)

=== Disputed roles ===
There has been a long discussion that lysine, when administered intravenously or orally, can significantly increase the release of [[growth hormone]]s.<ref name="Chromiak_2002">{{cite journal | vauthors = Chromiak JA, Antonio J | title = Use of amino acids as growth hormone-releasing agents by athletes | journal = Nutrition | year = 2002 | volume = 18 | issue = 7–8 | pages = 657–661 | pmid = 12093449 | doi = 10.1016/s0899-9007(02)00807-9 }}</ref> This has led to athletes using lysine as a means of promoting muscle growth while training, however, no significant evidence to support this application of lysine has been found to date.<ref name="Chromiak_2002" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Corpas E, Blackman MR, Roberson R, Scholfield D, Harman SM | title = Oral arginine-lysine does not increase growth hormone or insulin-like growth factor-I in old men | journal = Journal of Gerontology | volume = 48 | issue = 4 | pages = M128–M133 | date = July 1993 | pmid = 8315224 | doi = 10.1093/geronj/48.4.M128 }}</ref>

Because [[herpes simplex virus]] (HSV) proteins are richer in arginine and poorer in lysine than the cells they infect, lysine supplements have been tried as a treatment. Since the two amino acids are taken up in the intestine, reclaimed in the kidney, and moved into cells by the same [[amino acid transporter]]s, an abundance of lysine would, in theory, limit the amount of arginine available for viral replication.<ref name="pmid16813459">{{cite journal| author=Gaby AR| title=Natural remedies for Herpes simplex. | journal=Altern Med Rev | year= 2006 | volume= 11 | issue= 2 | pages= 93–101 | pmid=16813459 }}</ref> Clinical studies do not provide good evidence for effectiveness as a [[Preventive healthcare|prophylactic]] or in the treatment for HSV outbreaks.<ref name="pmid11225166">{{cite journal| author=Tomblin FA, Lucas KH| title=Lysine for management of herpes labialis. | journal=Am J Health Syst Pharm | year= 2001 | volume= 58 | issue= 4 | pages= 298–300, 304 | pmid=11225166 | doi= 10.1093/ajhp/58.4.298| url=https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/406943 | doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Chi CC, Wang SH, Delamere FM, Wojnarowska F, Peters MC, Kanjirath PP | title = Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores on the lips) | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 8 | pages = CD010095 | date = 7 August 2015 | volume = 2016 | pmid = 26252373 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD010095.pub2 | pmc = 6461191 }}</ref> In response to product claims that lysine could improve immune responses to HSV, a review by the [[European Food Safety Authority]] found no evidence of a cause–effect relationship. The same review, published in 2011, found no evidence to support claims that lysine could lower cholesterol, increase appetite, contribute to protein synthesis in any role other than as an ordinary nutrient, or increase calcium absorption or retention.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to <small>L</small>-lysine and immune defence against herpes virus (ID 453), maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations (ID 454, 4669), increase in appetite leading to an increase in energy intake...|journal=EFSA Journal|volume=9|issue=4|year=2011|pages=2063|issn=1831-4732|doi=10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2063}}</ref>