Abstract
β-alanine supplementation increases muscle carnosine content and improves anaerobic exercise performance by enhancing intracellular buffering capacity. β-alanine ingestion in its traditional rapid-release formulation (RR) is associated with the symptoms of paresthesia. A sustained-release formulation (SR) of β-alanine has been shown to circumvent paresthesia and extend the period of supply to muscle for carnosine synthesis. The purpose of this investigation was to compare 28 days of SR and RR formulations of β-alanine (6 g day−1) on changes in carnosine content of the vastus lateralis and muscle fatigue. Thirty-nine recreationally active men and women were assigned to one of the three groups: SR, RR, or placebo (PLA). Participants supplementing with SR and RR formulations increased muscle carnosine content by 50.1% (3.87 mmol kg−1ww) and 37.9% (2.62 mmol kg−1ww), respectively. The change in muscle carnosine content in participants consuming SR was significantly different (p = 0.010) from those consuming PLA, but no significant difference was noted between RR and PLA (p = 0.077). Although participants ingesting SR experienced a 16.4% greater increase in muscle carnosine than RR, fatigue during maximal voluntary isometric contractions was significantly attenuated in both SR and RR compared to PLA (p = 0.002 and 0.024, respectively). Symptoms of paresthesia were significantly more frequent in RR compared to SR, the latter of which did not differ from PLA. Results of this study demonstrated that only participants consuming the SR formulation experienced a significant increase in muscle carnosine. Differences in the muscle carnosine response between these formulations may have practical significance for athletic populations in which small changes may have important implications on performance.
Highlights
Carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine) is an intramuscular dipeptide consisting of β-alanine and l-histidine (Dunnett and Harris 1999)
Symptoms of paresthesia were a common side effect associated with β-alanine ingestion, with greater symptoms associated with larger daily doses (Decombaz et al 2012; Harris et al 2006; McCormack et al 2013)
An sustained-release formulation (SR) form of β-alanine has become available, which delays the release of β-alanine and prevents or attenuates symptoms of paresthesia (Decombaz et al 2012; del Favero et al 2012; Hoffman et al 2014, 2015a)
Summary
Carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine) is an intramuscular dipeptide consisting of β-alanine and l-histidine (Dunnett and Harris 1999). Exogenous supplementation with β-alanine seems to be the most effective at increasing muscle carnosine concentrations (Harris et al 2006; Dunnett and Harris 1999). Recent investigations by Hannah et al (2015) and Jones et al (2017) have suggested that β-alanine supplementation and subsequent increases in muscle carnosine content can result in a reduction in muscle relaxation time, which may be especially beneficial for repeated bouts of exercise. This can potentially augment force production and provide a further mechanism for the improvements in exercise performance with β-alanine supplementation
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