Carnosine and anserine ingestion enhances contribution of nonbicarbonate buffering.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of supplementation with chicken breast extract (CBEX), which was a rich source of carnosine and anserine, on acid-base balance and performance during intense intermittent exercise.


METHODS
Eight male subjects performed intense intermittent exercise that consisted of 10 x 5-s maximal cycle ergometer sprints with a 25-s recovery period between each sprint. The subjects ingested 190 g of the test soup containing either CBEX or a placebo 30 min before the commencement of exercise. Arterial blood samples were collected at rest and during exercise to estimate the carnosine and anserine concentrations, pH, and bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3-]).


RESULTS
Concentrations of anserine and its related amino acid significantly increased 30 min after CBEX supplementation, as compared with their values at rest. However, carnosine did not increase significantly. Following CBEX supplementation, the pH was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at the end of exercise, and [HCO3-] was also significantly higher (P < 0.05) during the latter half of exercise and after exercise. There were no significant differences in the total power and mean power of each set between the CBEX and placebo supplemented groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Although oral supplementation with CBEX (which is a rich source of carnosine and anserine) increased the contribution of the nonbicarbonate buffering action and decreased bicarbonate buffering action in blood, intense intermittent exercise performance did not improve significantly.
Suzuki
Yasuhiro
Y
Department of Sports Sciences, Japan Institute of Sports Sciences, Tokyo, Japan. suzuki.yasuhiro@jiss.naash.go.jp
Nakao
Tomomi
T
Maemura
Hirohiko
H
Sato
Mikako
M
Kamahara
Kazuyuki
K
Morimatsu
Fumiki
F
Takamatsu
Kaoru
K
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000861:Anserine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000097:blood*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D002021:Buffers; D002336:Carnosine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002645:Chickens; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male
D001639:Bicarbonates; D002021:Buffers; D002336:Carnosine; D000861:Anserine