Muscle Carnosine Concentration with the Co-Ingestion of Carbohydrate with β-alanine in Male Rats.
Muscle carnosine is an intracellular buffer. The intake of β-alanine, combined with carbohydrate and protein, enhanced carnosine loading in human muscle. The aim of the present study was to examine if muscle carnosine loading was enhanced by β-alanine intake and co-ingestion of glucose in male rats. Thirty-six male rats were divided into three groups and supplemented for four weeks: β-alanine (βA group, 1.8% β-alanine in drinking water), β-alanine and glucose (βAGL group, 1.8% β-alanine and 5% glucose in drinking water), and control (C group, drinking water). During the supplementation period, rats were exercised (20 m·min-1, 10 min·day-1, 4 days·week-1for 4 weeks). Muscle carnosine concentration was quantified in soleus (n = 12) and rectus femoris (n = 6) muscles using high-performance liquid chromatography. In soleus muscle, carnosine concentration was 2.24 ± 1.10, 6.12 ± 1.08, and 6.93 ± 2.56 mmol/kg dw for control, βA, and βAGL, respectively. In rectus femoris, carnosine concentration was 2.26 ± 1.31, 7.90 ± 1.66, and 8.59 ± 2.33 mmol/kg dw for control, βA, and βAGL respectively. In each muscle, βA and βAGL resulted in similar carnosine increases compared to the control. In conclusion, β-alanine intake for four weeks, either alone or with glucose co-ingestion, equally increased muscle carnosine content. It appears that the potential insulin response to fluid glucose intake does not affect muscle carnosine loading in male rats.
a Department of Sport Physiology , Boroujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University , Boroujerd , Iran.
Alireza
A
Naderi
b Faculty of Dentistry, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University , Shiraz , Iran.
Mehdi
M
Sadeghi
c Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, Alborz Branch, Islamic Azad University , Alborz , Iran.
Amir
A
Sarshin
d Department of Physical Education, Parand Branch , Islamic Azad University , New City of Parand , Iran.
Vahid
V
Imanipour
e Reference Health Laboratory Research Center, Ministry of Health and Medical Education , Tehran , Iran.
Seyed Ali
SA
Nazeri
f Young Researchers and Elite Club, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University , Marvdasht , Iran.
Fatemeh
F
Farkhayi
g Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences , University of Chichester , Chichester , UK.
Mark E T
ME
Willems
D000818:Animals; D002336:Carnosine / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D000070601:Diet, Carbohydrate Loading / Q000379:methods; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004435:Eating; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D060766:Drinking Water; D015091:beta-Alanine; D002336:Carnosine; D005947:Glucose
carnosine; co-ingestion; glucose; rats; β-alanine