An oral essential amino acid-carbohydrate supplement enhances muscle protein anabolism after resistance exercise.
This study was designed to determine the response of muscle protein to the bolus ingestion of a drink containing essential amino acids and carbohydrate after resistance exercise. Six subjects (3 men, 3 women) randomly consumed a treatment drink (6 g essential amino acids, 35 g sucrose) or a flavored placebo drink 1 h or 3 h after a bout of resistance exercise on two separate occasions. We used a three-compartment model for determination of leg muscle protein kinetics. The model involves the infusion of ring-(2)H(5)-phenylalanine, femoral arterial and venous blood sampling, and muscle biopsies. Phenylalanine net balance and muscle protein synthesis were significantly increased above the predrink and corresponding placebo value (P < 0.05) when the drink was taken 1 or 3 h after exercise but not when the placebo was ingested at 1 or 3 h. The response to the amino acid-carbohydrate drink produced similar anabolic responses at 1 and 3 h. Muscle protein breakdown did not change in response to the drink. We conclude that essential amino acids with carbohydrates stimulate muscle protein anabolism by increasing muscle protein synthesis when ingested 1 or 3 h after resistance exercise.
Rasmussen
B B
BB
Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch and Metabolism Unit, Shriners Burns Institute, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA.
Tipton
K D
KD
Miller
S L
SL
Wolf
S E
SE
Wolfe
R R
RR
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000601:Amino Acids, Essential / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D000601:Amino Acids, Essential; D002241:Carbohydrates; D007328:Insulin; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D010649:Phenylalanine