title: Beta-alanine (Carnosyn™) supplementation in elderly subjects (60-80 years): effects on muscle carnosine content and physical capacity.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on exercise capacity and the muscle carnosine content in elderly subjects. Eighteen healthy elderly subjects (60-80 years, 10 female and 4 male) were randomly assigned to receive either beta-alanine (BA, n=12) or placebo (PL, n=6) for 12 weeks. The BA group received 3.2 g of beta-alanine per day (2×800 mg sustained-release Carnosyn™ tablets, given 2 times per day). The PL group received 2× (2×800 mg) of a matched placebo. At baseline (PRE) and after 12 weeks (POST-12) of supplementation, assessments were made of the muscle carnosine content, anaerobic exercise capacity, muscle function, quality of life, physical activity and food intake. A significant increase in the muscle carnosine content of the gastrocnemius muscle was shown in the BA group (+85.4%) when compared with the PL group (+7.2%) (p=0.004; ES: 1.21). The time-to-exhaustion in the constant-load submaximal test (i.e., TLIM) was significantly improved (p=0.05; ES: 1.71) in the BA group (+36.5%) versus the PL group (+8.6%). Similarly, time-to-exhaustion in the incremental test was also significantly increased (p=0.04; ES 1.03) following beta-alanine supplementation (+12.2%) when compared with placebo (+0.1%). Significant positive correlations were also shown between the relative change in the muscle carnosine content and the relative change in the time-to-exhaustion in the TLIM test (r=0.62; p=0.01) and in the incremental test (r=0.48; p=0.02). In summary, the current data indicate for the first time, that beta-alanine supplementation is effective in increasing the muscle carnosine content in healthy elderly subjects, with subsequent improvement in their exercise capacity.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Av Mello de Moraes, 65, Butantã, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: del Favero
authors.forename: Hamilton
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roschel
authors.forename: Marina Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Solis
authors.forename: Ana P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Guilherme G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Artioli
authors.forename: Maria Concepción
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Otaduy
authors.forename: Fabiana B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Benatti
authors.forename: Roger C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wise
authors.forename: Cláudia C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Rosa M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Ana L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: de Sá-Pinto
authors.forename: Antonio Herbert
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lancha-Junior
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gualano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002336:Carnosine / Q000378:metabolism*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D015091:beta-Alanine; D002336:Carnosine