Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation in Combination with Voluntary Running Improves Body Composition in Female C57BL/6 Mice

Abstract

Exercise is an inexpensive intervention that may be used to reduce obesity and its consequences. In addition, many individuals who regularly exercise utilize dietary supplements to enhance their exercise routine and to accelerate fat loss or increase lean mass. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a popular supplement and have been shown to produce a number of beneficial effects in rodent models and humans. Therefore, we hypothesized that BCAA supplementation would protect against high fat diet (HFD)-induced glucose intolerance and obesity in mice with and without access to exercise. We subjected 80 female C57BL/6 mice to a paradigm of HFD feeding, exercise in the form of voluntary wheel running, and BCAA supplementation in the drinking water for 16 weeks (n = 10 per group). Body weight was monitored weekly, while food and water consumption were recorded twice weekly. During the 5th, 10th, and 15th weeks of treatment, glucose tolerance and body composition were analyzed. Exercise significantly improved glucose tolerance in both control-fed and HFD-fed mice. BCAA supplementation, however, did not significantly alter glucose tolerance in any treatment group. While BCAA supplements did not improve lean to fat mass ratio in sedentary mice, it significantly augmented the effects of exercise on this parameter.

Glutamine, but not Branched-Chain Amino Acids, Restores Intestinal Barrier Function during Activity-Based Anorexia

“…Amino acids supplementation was not able to modify body weight and composition in our model. During other conditions such as ageing, BCAA and particularly leucine have been efficient in promoting muscle growth [34,43,44], even if other studies failed to demonstrate improved muscle mass after long-term BCAA supplementation [45]. Gln also failed to improve body weight and composition.…”

“…Branched chain amino acids (BCAA; Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine) have been proposed to maintain muscle mass or function in different conditions such as intensive physical activity [30,31] or in elderly patients [32]. BCAA are preferentially metabolized in skeletal muscle rather than in liver [33] and are involved in muscle mass development in mice [34]. As physical hyperactivity frequently occurs in AN patients, who exhibit severe loss of both fat and lean mass, the potential of BCAA to prevent muscle waste or to enhance muscle gain appears to have a high relevance.…”

Long-Term Effects of Dietary Protein and Branched-Chain Amino Acids on Metabolism and Inflammation in Mice

“…In addition to dietary protein ratio, a group of essential amino acids, referred to as branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), consisting of leucine, isoleucine, and valine, has been shown to play a role in lifespan extension in mice when supplemented with a BCAA-enriched amino acid mixture [ 35 ]. Research suggests that BCAA supplementation improves body composition and glucose metabolism and ameliorates hepatic and adipose tissue inflammation in mice [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Protein restriction and BCAA supplementation are suggested to be two potential dietary approaches to promote healthy aging.…”

The effects of BCAA and creatine supplementation on anaerobic capacity and ball kicking speed in male football players

“…BCAA and creatine are predominant nutritional supplements utilized by football players because of their efficacy in developing ideal body composition and their proven positive effects on sportive performance [5]. BCAA (leucine, isoleucine, valine) is an essential amino acid for human protein synthesis [6,7]. BCAA is abundantly found in skeletal muscle, and it is also oxidized in skeletal muscle while other amino acids are primarily catabolized in the liver.…”