Ergogenic Effect of BCAAs and L-Alanine Supplementation: Proof-of-Concept Study in a Murine Model of Physiological Exercise

Abstract

Background: Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine, valine) account for 35% of skeletal muscle essential amino acids (AAs). As such, they must be provided in the diet to support peptide synthesis and inhibit protein breakdown. Although substantial evidence has been collected about the potential usefulness of BCAAs in supporting muscle function and structure, dietary supplements containing BCAAs alone may not be effective in controlling muscle protein turnover, due to the rate-limiting bioavailability of other AAs involved in BCAAs metabolism. Methods: We aimed to evaluate the in vivo/ex vivo effects of a 4-week treatment with an oral formulation containing BCAAs alone (2:1:1) on muscle function, structure, and metabolism in a murine model of physiological exercise, which was compared to three modified formulations combining BCAAs with increasing concentrations of L-Alanine (ALA), an AA controlling BCAAs catabolism. Results: A preliminary pharmacokinetic study confirmed the ability of ALA to boost up BCAAs bioavailability. After 4 weeks, mix 2 (BCAAs + 2ALA) had the best protective effect on mice force and fatigability, as well as on muscle morphology and metabolic indices. Conclusion: Our study corroborates the use of BCAAs + ALA to support muscle health during physiological exercise, underlining how the relative BCAAs/ALA ratio is important to control BCAAs distribution.

β-Dystroglycan Restoration and Pathology Progression in the Dystrophic mdx Mouse: Outcome and Implication of a Clinically Oriented Study with a Novel Oral Dasatinib Formulation

“…Plantar flexor torque obtained at each frequency (N*cm) was calculated via ASI Dynamic Muscle Analysis software (DMAv5.201). Then, torque values were normalized to each mouse BM (N*mm 3 /kg) and used to construct torque—frequency curves [ 16 , 24 , 27 ].…”

“…The enzymatic activity of CK and LDH in plasma samples (U/L) was determined using specific commercially available diagnostic kits (CK NAC LR and LDH LR, SGM, Rome, Italy). Both the assays required the use of a spectrophotometer (Ultrospec 2100 Pro UV/Visible, Amersham Biosciences, UK) set to a wavelength of 340 nm, at 37 °C and were performed according to manufacturer’s instructions [ 5 , 16 , 25 , 27 ].…”

“…Data presented herein follow with good approximation a normal distribution, being included in the 95% confidence interval of the mean; this generally allows to clearly identify outliers, if any, and to apply the statistical analysis described above. No outliers were found during this study; missing data in the results were then related only to overt technical issues during the experimental procedures which led to exclude those specific samples from the analysis [ 27 ]. Whenever possible, the recovery score, an objective index that directly indicates how much of the deficit is recovered (%) by a treatment [ 5 ], was calculated for quantitatively measurable outcomes according to TREAT-NMD (SOP (ID) Number: DMD_M.1.1.001), as follows: …”

Effect of Porcine Whole Blood Protein Hydrolysate on Slow-Twitch Muscle Fiber Expression and Mitochondrial Biogenesis via the AMPK/SIRT1 Pathway

“…The content of free amino acids, including branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) such as valine (Val), isoleucine (Ile), and leucine (Leu), can be increased by the enzymatic hydrolysis of pig blood [8]. In humans, the three proteinogenic BCAAs Val, Ile, and Leu are among the nine essential amino acids (EAAs), accounting for 21% of the total protein content and 35% of the EAAs in muscle [9,10]. Leu is important in the regulation of muscle protein synthesis [11][12][13].…”

Effects of Porcine Whole-Blood Protein Hydrolysate on Exercise Function and Skeletal Muscle Differentiation

“…A recent study showed that the content of free amino acids, including branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), such as valine (Val), isoleucine (Ile), and leucine (Leu), can be increased by enzymatic hydrolysis of pig blood [2]. In the human body, the 3 proteinogenic BCAAs Val, Ile, and Leu are included among the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs), accounting for 21% of the total protein content and 35% of the EAAs in muscle [5,6]. Especially, the BCAA Leu plays important roles in the regulation of muscle protein synthesis [7][8][9].…”