The combined ingestion of protein and free leucine with carbohydrate increases post-exercise muscle protein synthesis in vivo in male subjects

Rene Koopman1*, Anton J.M. Wagenmakers2, Ralph J.F. Manders1, Antoine H. G. Zorenc1, Joan M. G. Senden1, Marchel Gorselink3, Hans A. Keizer4, and Luc J.C. van Loon5

1 Department of Human Biology, Nutrition Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
2 School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
3 Numico Research B. V., Wageningen, The Netherlands
4 Department of Movement Sciences, NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
5 Department of Human Biology, Nutrition Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Movement Sciences, NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: R.Koopman@HB.unimaas.nl.

The present study was designed to determine post-exercise muscle protein synthesis and whole-body protein balance following the combined ingestion of carbohydrate with or without protein and/or free leucine. Eight male subjects were randomly assigned to 3 trials in which they consumed drinks containing either carbohydrate (CHO), carbohydrate and protein (CHO+PRO), or carbohydrate, protein and free leucine (CHO+PRO+leu) following 45 min of resistance exercise. A primed, continuous infusion of L-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine was applied, with blood samples and muscle biopsies collected to assess fractional synthetic rate (FSR) in the m. vastus lateralis as well as whole-body protein turnover during 6 h of post-exercise recovery. Plasma insulin response was higher in the CHO+PRO+leu compared to the CHO and CHO+PRO trials (+240?19% and +77?11%, respectively, P<0.05). Whole-body protein breakdown rates were lower, and whole-body protein synthesis rates were higher in the CHO+PRO and CHO+PRO+leu trials compared to the CHO trial (P<0.05). Addition of leucine in the CHO+PRO+leu trial resulted in a lower protein oxidation rate compared to the CHO+PRO trial. Protein balance was negative during recovery in the CHO trial, but positive in the CHO+PRO and CHO+PRO+leu trials. In the CHO+PRO+leu trial, whole-body net protein balance was significantly greater compared to values observed in the CHO+PRO and CHO trials (P<0.05). Mixed muscle FSR, measured over a 6h period of post-exercise recovery, was significantly greater in the CHO+PRO+leu trial compared to the CHO trial (0.095?0.006 %.h-1 vs. 0.061?0.008 %.h-1, respectively; P<0.05), with intermediate values observed in the CHO+PRO trial (0.0820 ? 0.0104 %.h-1). We conclude that the co-ingestion of protein and leucine stimulates muscle protein synthesis and optimizes whole-body protein balance when compared to the intake of carbohydrate only.

I guess who ever decided to put those extra BCAA in Surge was one smart mutha.

And perhaps, as that same someone has said for years, while a glucose/malto+whey drink is ok; glucose/malto+whey hydrolysate+BCAA is da bomb.

oh give it up. every one no's that cheep whay and gatoraide will do the same durn thing. we don't need no fancy cityfolk BCAACBSS's or wutever. jus tha other day i ate sum whay and put table sugar in it. costed me 10 cents less that Surge. it wus gud and now Im hyoooge!!! Biggern u colege boy!


(Ha! I crack me up!)

It's amazing that the ingredients of the drink used in this study resembles Surge. Half malto, half glucose, whey hydrolysate, and extra Leucine. Kinda cool! That's why you're the Dr., I guess. lol

It can not be overemphasized that the study also showed a great decrease in muscle breakdown after the drink, which is just as important as increased protein synthesis.
Of course protein synthesis is sexy and gets all the hype, but it's only one half of the equation. Hell, even cortisol stimulates muscle protein synthesis despite being incredibly catabolic.

Again, Nice job JB

Cheers

BTW, I guess I should clarify that my post above was a joke. I get at least one semi-retarded email saying that per week, usually demonstrating about the same English skills. I'm sure JB has heard his share of this junk too.

Here's another interesting new study:

Amino Acids Stimulate Muscle Protein Synthesis In The Elderly More Effectively Than Intact Protein

Category: 605. protein and amino acid metabolism

Presentation Time: Saturday, 9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Douglas Paddon-Jones, Melinda Sheffield-Moore, Robert R. Wolfe. The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.
Email: djpaddon@utmb.edu
Presentation Number: 2189
Keyword: Aging, Stable isotopes, Protein supplementation

PURPOSE: To combat the debilitating progression of sarcopenia, a nutritional supplement should provide a calorically efficient anabolic stimulus that does not result in a compensatory reduction in voluntary food intake. We sought to quantify net muscle protein synthesis in healthy elderly individuals following bolus oral ingestion of an intact whey protein supplement (whey: n=5, 70?6 yr) and an essential amino acid supplement (EAA: n= 7, 67?2 yr).

METHODS: Femoral arterio-venous blood samples and vastus lateralis muscle biopsy samples were obtained during a primed, constant infusion of L-[ring-2H5]phenylalanine. Muscle protein kinetics and mixed muscle fractional synthetic rate (FSR) were calculated during the post-absorptive period and for 3 h following ingestion of 15g EAA or 15g whey.

RESULTS: EAA ingestion stimulated net phenylalanine uptake and FSR more than whey protein. Postabsorptive FSR values were 0.056?0.004 %.hr-1 (EAA) and 0.053?0.004 %.hr-1 (whey), p>0.05), while postprandial FSR values increased to 0.088?0.011 %.hr-1 (EAA) and 0.072?0.04 %.hr-1 (whey), (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Compared to an equivalent quantity of intact protein, EAAs may provide a more effective and energetically efficient anabolic stimulus.

John Berardi wrote:

Amino Acids Stimulate Muscle Protein Synthesis In The Elderly More Effectively Than Intact Protein

Category: 605. protein and amino acid metabolism

Presentation Time: Saturday, 9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Douglas Paddon-Jones, Melinda Sheffield-Moore, Robert R. Wolfe. The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.
Presentation Number: 2189
Keyword: Aging, Stable isotopes, Protein supplementation


Don't tell me you believe anything that comes out of UTMB. I hear they will let anyone go there. Even overgrown Canadians :)

Just to stir up some conversation, isn't the whole leucine metabolism pathway how they ended up with HMB? If I remember correctly it was leucine>KIC>>HMB. It would be interesting to see what response the same study would have had using HMB instead of leucine. Maybe we should go dust off a few bottles, after all it does 'feel like deca'