Co-ingestion of leucine with protein does not further augment post-exercise muscle protein synthesis rates in elderly men.
Leucine has been suggested to have the potential to modulate muscle protein metabolism by increasing muscle protein synthesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the surplus value of the co-ingestion of free leucine with protein hydrolysate and carbohydrate following physical activity in elderly men. Eight elderly men (mean age 73 +/- 1 years) were randomly assigned to two cross-over treatments consuming either carbohydrate and protein hydrolysate (CHO+PRO) or carbohydrate, protein hydrolysate with additional leucine (CHO+PRO+leu) after performing 30 min of standardized physical activity. Primed, continuous infusions with L-[ring-(13)C(6)]phenylalanine and L-[ring-(2)H(2)]tyrosine were applied, and blood and muscle samples were collected to assess whole-body protein turnover as well as protein fractional synthetic rate in the vastus lateralis muscle over a 6 h period. Whole-body protein breakdown and synthesis rates were not different between treatments. Phenylalanine oxidation rates were significantly lower in the CHO+PRO+leu v. CHO+PRO treatment. As a result, whole-body protein balance was significantly greater in the CHO+PRO+leu compared to the CHO+PRO treatment (23.8 (SEM 0.3) v. 23.2 (SEM 0.3) micromol/kg per h, respectively; P < 0.05). Mixed muscle fractional synthetic rate averaged 0.081 (SEM 0.003) and 0.082 (SEM 0.006) %/h in the CHO+PRO+leu and CHO+PRO treatment, respectively (NS). Co-ingestion of leucine with carbohydrate and protein following physical activity does not further elevate muscle protein fractional synthetic rate in elderly men when ample protein is ingested.
Koopman
René
R
Department of Movement Sciences, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. R.Koopman@HB.unimaas.nl
Verdijk
Lex B
LB
Beelen
Milou
M
Gorselink
Marchel
M
Kruseman
Arie Nieuwenhuijzen
AN
Wagenmakers
Anton J M
AJ
Kuipers
Harm
H
van Loon
Luc J C
LJ
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007930:Leucine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000067816:Whey Proteins
D000596:Amino Acids; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D008894:Milk Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D007930:Leucine