EAA supplementation to increase nitrogen intake improves muscle function during bed rest in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
Older individuals are more likely to experience extended hospitalization and become protein malnourished during hospitalization. The concomitant compulsory inactivity results in functional decline. Increasing protein intake in hospitalized patients improves nitrogen balance, but effects on function are unknown. In the present study, we examined the effects of increasing protein intake by essential amino acid (EAA) supplementation in older individuals subjected to 10 d bed rest on LBM and muscle function.


METHODS
Subjects were given a placebo (n=12, 68+/-5 (SD) yrs, 83+/-19 kg) or 15 g of EAA (n=10, 71+/-6, 72+/-8 kg) 3 times per day throughout 10d of bed rest. LBM, muscle protein synthesis, and muscle function were determined before and after bed rest. Due to an imbalance in randomized gender distribution between groups, gender and beginning functional and LBM measures were utilized for analyses by repeated measures analysis of covariance (RMANCOVA).


RESULTS
Analyses revealed the potential for the preservation of functional outcomes with EAA supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing protein intake above the RDA may preserve muscle function in the elderly during compulsory inactivity. EAA supplementation is potentially an efficient method of increasing protein intake without affecting satiety.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, USA. aferrando@uams.edu
Arny A
AA
Ferrando
Doug
D
Paddon-Jones
Nicholas P
NP
Hays
Patrick
P
Kortebein
Ola
O
Ronsen
Rick H
RH
Williams
Ashley
A
McComb
T Brock
TB
Symons
Robert R
RR
Wolfe
William
W
Evans
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D000375:Aging; D000601:Amino Acids, Essential / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001510:Bed Rest; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control
D000601:Amino Acids, Essential; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009584:Nitrogen