Effects of alfa-hydroxy-isocaproic acid on body composition, DOMS and performance in athletes

Abstract

BackgroundAlfa-Hydroxy-isocaproic acid (HICA) is an end product of leucine metabolism in human tissues such as muscle and connective tissue. According to the clinical and experimental studies, HICA can be considered as an anti-catabolic substance. The present study investigated the effects of HICA supplementation on body composition, delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) and physical performance of athletes during a training period.MethodsFifteen healthy male soccer players (age 22.1+/-3.9 yr) volunteered for the 4-week double-blind study during an intensive training period. The subjects in the group HICA (n = 8) received 583 mg of sodium salt of HICA (corresponding 500 mg of HICA) mixed with liquid three times a day for 4 weeks, and those in the group PLACEBO (n = 7) received 650 mg of maltodextrin mixed with liquid three times a day for the same period. According to a weekly training schedule, they practiced soccer 3 - 4 times a week, had strength training 1 - 2 times a week, and had one soccer game during the study. The subjects were required to keep diaries on training, nutrition, and symptoms of DOMS. Body composition was evaluated with a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) before and after the 4-week period. Muscle strength and running velocity were measured with field tests.ResultsAs compared to placebo, the HICA supplementation increased significantly body weight (p < 0.005) and whole lean body mass (p < 0.05) while fat mass remained constant. The lean body mass of lower extremities increased by 400 g in HICA but decreased by 150 g in PLACEBO during the study. This difference between the groups was significant (p < 0.01). The HICA supplementation decreased the whole body DOMS symptoms in the 4th week of the treatment (p < 0.05) when compared to placebo. Muscle strength and running velocity did not differ between the groups.ConclusionAlready a 4-week HICA supplementation of 1.5 g a day leads to small increases in muscle mass during an intensive training period in soccer athletes.

Chronic α-hydroxyisocaproic acid treatment improves muscle recovery after immobilization-induced atrophy

“…Dietary treatment with ␣-HICA for 4 wk in humans was previously reported to increase lean body mass in response to intensive physical training (51). However, in the current study, ␣-HICA added to the diet did not alter the weight of the uncasted gastrocnemius compared with uncasted muscle from control rats.…”

“…Because a dietary substitution of ␣-HICA for Leu supports normal growth (14,77), it is possible that at least part of the anabolic effect of Leu is mediated via this metabolite and that a complete diet containing relatively high amounts of ␣-HICA may have a greater anabolic effect than one containing an equal percentage of Leu alone. In this regard, a single report indicates that, compared with placebo, a 4-wk treatment with ␣-HICA combined with a complete diet increased lean body mass in humans (51). Hence, the aim of this proof-of-concept study was to investigate the ability of a nutritionally complete diet containing a relatively high amount of ␣-HICA (5%) in maintaining muscle mass during a period of immobilization and recovery.…”

dl-2-Hydroxyisocaproic Acid Attenuates Inflammatory Responses in a Murine Candida albicans Biofilm Model

“…HICA is an ␣-hydroxy amino acid produced during Lactobacillus fermentation and is also found in human tissues (20,21). It has been used for muscle recovery by professional athletes and for veterinary purposes, such as in animal feed, thus demonstrating its biocompatibility and safety profile (21,22). Multiple studies have described the potential anti-inflammatory properties of lactobacilli and their metabolic products (23,24).…”

“…The efficacy of HICA against a spectrum of planktonically grown bacteria and fungi has been reported (18,19). HICA is an ␣-hydroxy amino acid produced during Lactobacillus fermentation and is also found in human tissues (20,21). It has been used for muscle recovery by professional athletes and for veterinary purposes, such as in animal feed, thus demonstrating its biocompatibility and safety profile (21,22).…”

Investigation of the Presence of β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyric Acid and α-Hydroxyisocaproic Acid in Bovine Whole Milk and Fermented Dairy Products by a Validated Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Method

“…A serendipitous finding was the progressive formation of HICA in certain samples of whole milk which were stored in the refrigerator (+5°C) past their expiration dates. This is not entirely surprising because HICA has been reported previously in fermented foods (reviewed by Mero et al 26 ).…”