The ergogenic effect of acute carnosine and anserine supplementation: dosing, timing, and underlying mechanism

Abstract

Background Recent studies suggest that acute-combined carnosine and anserine supplementation has the potential to improve the performance of certain cycling protocols. Yet, data on optimal dose, timing of ingestion, effective exercise range, and mode of action are lacking. Three studies were conducted to establish dosing and timing guidelines concerning carnosine and anserine intake and to unravel the mechanism underlying the ergogenic effects. Methods First, a dose response study A was conducted in which 11 men randomly received placebo, 10, 20, or 30 mg.kg −1 of both carnosine and anserine. They performed 3x maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVC), followed by a 5 x 6 s repeated cycling sprint ability test (RSA), once before the supplement and 30 and 60 minutes after. In a second study, 15 men performed 3x MVCs with femoral nerve electrical stimulation, followed by an RSA test, once before 30 mg.kg −1 carnosine and anserine and 60 minutes after. Finally, in study C, eight men performed a high intensity cycling training after randomly ingesting 30 mg.kg −1 of carnosine and anserine, a placebo or antihistamines (reduce post-exercise blood flow) to investigate effects on muscle perfusion. Results Study A showed a 3% peak power (p = 0.0005; 95% CI = 0.07 to 0.27; ES = 0.91) and 4.5% peak torque (p = 0.0006; 95% CI = 0.12 to 0.50; ES = 0.87) improvement on RSA and MVC, with 30 mg.kg −1 carnosine + anserine ingestion 60 minutes before the performance yielding the best results. Study B found no performance improvement on group level; however, a negative correlation (r = −0.54; p = 0.0053; 95% CI = −0.77 to −0.19) was found between carnosinase enzyme activity (responsible for carnosine and anserine breakdown) and performance improvement. No effect of the supplement on neuromuscular function nor on muscle perfusion was found. Conclusions These studies reveal that acute ingestion of 30 mg.kg −1 of both carnosine and anserine, 60 minutes before a high intensity exercise, can potentially improve performance, such as short cycling sprints or maximal muscle contractions. Subjects with lower carnosinase activity, and thus a slower breakdown of circulating dipeptides, appear to benefit more from this ergogenic effect. Finally, neither the involvement of a direct effect on neuromuscular function, nor an indirect effect on recovery through increased muscle perfusion could be confirmed as potential mechanism of action. The ergogenic mechanism therefore remains elusive.

No Effect of Acute Balenine Supplementation on Maximal and Submaximal Exercise Performance in Recreational Cyclists

“…Therefore, the current study investigates the effects of acute preexercise balenine supplementation on different performance types of maximal and submaximal intensity in humans. In line with previous research into acute carnosine and anserine supplementation (Barbaresi et al, 2021;Blancquaert et al, 2021;de Jager et al, 2022), we expect an improvement in maximal performance such as cycling sprints, maximal voluntary contractions and a short, high-intensity time trial. Moreover, as the mechanism responsible for the observed effects with acute carnosine and anserine supplementation remains unclear, an exploration of potential effects on a long-lasting high-intensity performance is conducted.…”

“…Note repeated short cycling sprints, 30-s Wingate tests, maximal isometric contractions, and in a 8-min cycling TT (Barbaresi et al, 2021;Blancquaert et al, 2021;de Jager et al, 2022;Suzuki et al, 2004). Should the functionality of balenine resemble that of carnosine and anserine, an improved peak power, peak torque, and 4 km time trial (which closely resembles the 8-min TT) would be expected and be even more pronounced because of the better bioavailability of balenine (de Jager et al, unpublished).…”

“…Furthermore, the Severin's phenomenon was also demonstrated with anserine (Petukhov et al, 1976). Acute carnosine and anserine supplementation, either in pure form or as chicken broth, was shown to induce a 3%-6% improvement in maximal performances such as 6 s cycling sprints and maximal isometric contractions (Barbaresi et al, 2021;Blancquaert et al, 2021;de Jager et al, 2022;Suzuki et al, 2004). A recent study by de Jager et al (2022) showed that the ergogenic benefit is related to CN1 activity and HCD plasma concentration, which indicates that the higher the plasma HCD concentration, the more the short-lasting, maximal performance is improved.…”

Extensive profiling of histidine-containing dipeptides reveals species- and tissue-specific distribution and metabolism in mice, rats and humans

“…This issue remains largely unclear in humans, in which high activity of the CN1 enzyme quickly degrades circulating carnosine (2). It has long been suggested that circulating HCDs are extremely low or absent in human plasma (43-45), although more recent reports already detected carnosine (46, 47). We now demonstrate that N-acetylcarnosine is the most stable carnosine analog in plasma, indicating that acetylation of the β-alanine residue protects against the hydrolyzing activity of CN1.…”

Dietary L-citrulline modulates the growth performance, amino acid profile, and the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis in broilers exposed to high temperature

“…L-Cit increased the carnosine concentration under TNZ, whereas, this was diminished under HS condition. The influence of L-Cit on these peptides is not fully ascertained but may be related to their role in muscle physiology since both peptides are involved in skeletal muscle homeostasis ( Blancquaert et al, 2016 ; Suidasari et al, 2016 ; de Jager et al, 2022 ). Furthermore, 3-methylhistidine is an amino acid found in actin and myosin, and over 90% of its body pool is present in the skeletal muscle ( Williams, 2003 ).…”