Effects Of Branch-chain Amino Acids And Arginine Drink On Post-exercise Metabolic Response

Abstract

Chia-Jung Chung, Yi-An Lin, Mei-Chich Hsu National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan, Taiwan Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) has been reported to increase the endurance exercise capacity, increase protein synthesis, decrease rating of perceived exertion and mental fatigue, attenuate muscle protein breakdown induced by exercise, and promote recovery from the damage. However, the effects of the combined BCAA and arginine beverage on post-exercise metabolic response have yet to be elucidated. PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the effects of branched-chain amino acid and arginine combined beverage (BA) on acute metabolic responses during recovery after a single bout of exhaustive exercise. METHODS: Fourteen healthy males were assigned to drink either BA or placebo (PL) on two sessions separated by 2 weeks. Blood samples of each subject were collected before exercise, and 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 120 min and 24 hr after exercise, respectively. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the levels of lactate, ammonia, creatine kinase, and glycerol between the two groups were observed at any of the time points. However, the blood glucose was significantly higher in the BA trial as compared to that in the PL trial at the 40 and 60-min recovery period (94.7 ± 4.5 mg/dL vs. 83.1 ± 2.8 mg/dL, p<0.05). The insulin concentration was higher in the BA trial as compared to that in the PL trial at the 40 and 60-min recovery period (31.6 ± 5.6 μU/mL vs. 15.5 ± 2.6 μU/mL, 30.1 ± 7.1 μU/mL vs. 10.6 ± 1.1 μU/ mL, p<0.05). Furthermore, the free fatty acid levels at the 60 and 120-min recovery period were significantly lower in the BA trial compared to that in the PL trial (0.18 ± 0.22 mmol/L vs. 0.3 ± 0.1 mmol/L, 0.4 ± 0.1 mmol/L vs. 0.6 ± 0.1 mmol/L, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Consuming amino acid compound beverage during recovery period could increase blood glucose and insulin concentrations, and increase free fatty acid availability in muscle. Thus, branched-chain amino acid and arginine combined beverage supplementation may benefit recovery after exercise.