The Effect of Bacillus Coagulans and HMB On Muscle Integrity and Inflammation During Military Training

Abstract

BACKGROUND: β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a derivative of the branched chain amino acid leucine, and has been demonstrated to enhance recovery and attenuate muscle damage from high intensity exercise. Recent evidence has suggested that the use of a probiotic may enhance protein absorption, as such the combination of a probiotic with HMB ingestion may be more beneficial during field operations. PURPOSE: To compare the co-administration of the probiotic Bacillus coagulans (BC30) with HMB calcium (CaHMB) to CaHMB alone on the inflammatory response and muscle integrity during 40-days of intense military training. METHODS: Soldiers from the same unit were randomly assigned to one of two groups: CaHMB with BC30 (CaHMBBC30; n=9) or CaHMB with placebo (CaHMBPL, n=9). A third group of participants from the same unit served as a control (CTL; n=8). During the 40-day study, all participants performed the same daily protocol. During the first 28 days soldiers were garrisoned on base and participated in the same training tasks. During the final 2-weeks soldiers navigated 25-30 km per night in difficult terrain carrying ~35 kg of equipment. All assessments (blood draws and diffusion tensor imaging to assess muscle integrity) were conducted prior to and approximately 12-hours following final supplement consumption. Analysis of covariance was used to analyze all blood and muscle measures. RESULTS: Significant attenuations were noted in IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, CX3CL1, and TNF-α for both CaHMBBC30 and CaHMBPL compared to CTL. The response of plasma IL-10 concentrations was significantly attenuated for CaHMBBC30 compared to CTL only. A significant decrease in apparent diffusion coefficients was also observed for CaHMBBC30 compared to CaHMBPL. CONCLUSION: Results of this study provide further evidence that HMB supplementation may attenuate the inflammatory response to intense training, and that the combination of the probiotic Bacillus coagulans with CaHMB may be more beneficial than CaHMB alone in maintaining muscle integrity during intense military training.