title: Preference for a solution of branched-chain amino acids plus glutamine and arginine correlates with free running activity in rats: involvement of serotonergic-dependent processes of lateral hypothalamus.
abstract: Rats were given free access to a running wheel, food, water, and a solution composed of branched-chain amino acids plus glutamine and arginine (the "BCAA-based" solution). A positive relationship between dark-period running distance and preference for the BCAA-based solution was observed. Serotonin release in the lateral hypothalamus, the central nucleus of amygdala and the medial nucleus raphe in overnight fluid-deprived rats during their first subsequent free drinking was also measured. A lowered serotonin release in the lateral hypothalamus characterized the rats that consumed the BCAA-based solution. No drink-related changes were observed in the amygdala. A separate group of rats was trained on a treadmill. Following the training period, plasma amino acids and brain serotonin release were measured during running. The BCAA-based solution infused before running elevated the branched chain amino acids/tryptophan plasma ratio at the end of, and after, running. Additionally, a decreased lateral hypothalamus serotonin release was seen 80 min after running, when compared with water-infused rats. No fluid-related changes in the amygdala were observed. The exercise-related shift in the fluid preference towards a BCAA-based solution suggests an ergogenic benefit. The forced-running study shows the lateral hypothalamus as a critical region in the effects of a BCAA-based solution.
authors.affiliation: Ajinomoto Co. Inc., Central Research Laboratories, Kawasaki, Japan. miroslav_smriga@ajinomoto.com
authors.forename: Miro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smriga
authors.forename: Makiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kameishi
authors.forename: Tatsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kondoh
authors.forename: Kunio
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Torii
mesh_terms: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D000679:Amygdala / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D004326:Drinking; D005518:Food Preferences; D005973:Glutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012996:Solutions; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D012996:Solutions; D005973:Glutamine; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan; D001120:Arginine; D003345:Corticosterone