Carbohydrate and Protein Supplements, an Effective Means for Maintaining Exercise-Induced Glucose Metabolism Homeostasis

Abstract

This study aimed to verify the effects of an independently developed carbohydrate and protein (CHO+P) beverage (7.2% oligosaccharide and 1.6% soy-polypeptide) supplement on exerciseinduced glucose metabolism and associated gene expression. Mice received 1 mL/100 g body weight of normal saline (group C; n = 36) or CHO+P (group E; n = 36) at 30 min before an immediately after exercise. Mice without exercise and supplementation served as normal controls (group NC; n = 9). The expression levels related to glucose metabolism were measured at 0, 4, 12, and 24 h after exercise (n = 9 per group). The blood glucose, insulin, and liver glycogen contents in groups C and E were dramatically lower than group NC immediately after exercise. Those in group E were significantly higher than group C, with few differences between the two. Muscle glycogen was restored more quickly when the CHO+P beverage was consumed compared to normal saline. Furthermore, exercise-induced increase in glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) mRNA could be depressed by CHO+P supplementation but enhanced in GLUT-4 protein. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) showed a double peak curve in the recovery period, but IL-6 increased again in group E earlier than group C. These findings confirmed that the beverage has significantly improved time in maintaining blood glucose stability, reducing glycogen consumption, accelerating glycogen resynthesis, and repairing injury in rats. This study suggests the future application of this beverage in humans with experimental support and provides a scientific direction for promoting glycogen synthesis and recovery through nutrition.