Exhaustive Exercise and Post-exercise Protein Plus Carbohydrate Supplementation Affect Plasma and Urine Concentrations of Sulfur Amino Acids, the Ratio of Methionine to Homocysteine and Glutathione in Elite Male Cyclists

Abstract

Plasma and tissue sulfur amino acid (SAA) availability are crucial for intracellular methylation reactions and cellular antioxidant defense, which are important processes during exercise and in recovery. In this randomized, controlled crossover trial among eight elite male cyclists, we explored the effect of exhaustive exercise and post-exercise supplementation with carbohydrates and protein (CHO+PROT) vs. carbohydrates (CHO) on plasma and urine SAAs, a potential new marker of methylation capacity (methionine/total homocysteine ratio [Met/tHcy]) and related metabolites. The purpose of the study was to further explore the role of SAAs in exercise and recovery. Athletes cycled to exhaustion and consumed supplements immediately after and in 30 min intervals for 120 min post-exercise. After ~18 h recovery, performance was tested in a time trial in which the CHO+PROT group cycled 8.5% faster compared to the CHO group (41:53 ± 1:51 vs. 45:26 ± 1:32 min, p < 0.05). Plasma methionine decreased by ~23% during exhaustive exercise. Two h post-exercise, further decline in methionine had occured by ~55% in the CHO group vs. ~33% in the CHO+PROT group (pgroup × time < 0.001). The Met/tHcy ratio decreased by ~33% during exhaustive exercise, and by ~54% in the CHO group vs. ~27% in the CHO+PROT group (pgroup × time < 0.001) post-exercise. Plasma cystathionine increased by ~72% in the CHO group and ~282% in the CHO+PROT group post-exercise (pgroup × time < 0.001). Plasma total cysteine, taurine and total glutathione increased by 12% (p = 0.03), 85% (p < 0.001) and 17% (p = 0.02), respectively during exhaustive exercise. Using publicly available transcriptomic data, we report upregulated transcript levels of skeletal muscle SLC7A5 (log2 fold-change: 0.45, FDR:1.8e−07) and MAT2A (log2 fold-change: 0.38, FDR: 3.4e−0.7) after acute exercise. Our results show that exercise acutely lowers plasma methionine and the Met/tHcy ratio. This response was attenuated in the CHO+PROT compared to the CHO group in the early recovery phase potentially affecting methylation capacity and contributing to improved recovery.

Impact of Long-Rope Jumping on Monoamine and Attention in Young Adults

“…As small sample size limits statistical power, the results in our study might be considered as preliminary. However, our study size was comparable to those in some biochemical sports trials [64,65] and, as indicated by the interindividual differences in Figures 3-6, 8 and 9, increased s/uMHPG and u5-HIAA levels and improved Stroop performance were observed in EC participants, suggesting that the changes in central norepinephrinergic-serotonergic systems and attention performance were caused by the rhythmic rope jumping exercise. Moreover, while the effects of longrope jumping have been demonstrated, it is still unclear which aspect of the exercise is effective.…”

Serum Amino Acid Profile Changes After Repetitive Breath-Hold Dives: A Preliminary Study

“…LYS is the precursor for carnitine [ 58 ] which transports fatty acids to the mitochondria, where they can be oxidised to produce acetil-CoA, involved in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle [ 59 ]. Finally, for this group, according to data obtained by other authors [ 60 ], MET decreased after prolonged physical activity. This reduction may reflect increased transmethylation in which DNA, histones and other macromolecules are methylated in response to exercise [ 60 ].…”

“…Finally, for this group, according to data obtained by other authors [ 60 ], MET decreased after prolonged physical activity. This reduction may reflect increased transmethylation in which DNA, histones and other macromolecules are methylated in response to exercise [ 60 ]. PRO may also be related to the free fatty acids (FFA) release because some authors found a correlation between the decrease in PRO and the increase in FFA [ 25 ] as energy source during prolonged physical activity.…”

Potential Mechanisms for How Long-Term Physical Activity May Reduce Insulin Resistance

“…In contrast, PA has acute [ 171 ] and long-term effects on plasma concentrations of SAA [ 168 ]. We recently demonstrated that a 12-week combined endurance and strength exercise intervention led to marked changes in plasma SAA profiles of sedentary men [ 168 ], with reductions in plasma tCys, which otherwise has proven difficult to attain by dietary intervention in humans.…”