Twenty-four Weeks of beta-Alanine Supplementation on Carnosine Content, Related Genes, and Exercise

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Saunders, Bryan ; Painelli, Vitor De Salles ; De Oliveira, Luana Farias ; Silva, Vinicius Da Eira ; Da Silva, Rafael Pires ; Riani, Luiz ; Franchi, Mariana ; Goncalves, Livia De Souza ; Harris, Roger Charles ; Roschel, Hamilton ; Artioli, Guilherme Giannini ; Sale, Craig ; Gualano, Bruno

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE; v. 49, n. 5, p. 896-906, MAY 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 25

Abstract

Introduction: Skeletal muscle carnosine content can be increased through beta-alanine (BA) supplementation, but the maximum increase achievable with supplementation is unknown. No study has investigated the effects of prolonged supplementation on carnosine-related genes or exercise capacity. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of 24 wk of BA supplementation on muscle carnosine content, gene expression, and high-intensity cycling capacity (CCT110%). Methods: Twenty-five active males were supplemented with 6.4 gId(-1) of sustained release BA or placebo for a 24 wk period. Every 4 wk participants provided a muscle biopsy and performed the CCT110%. Biopsies were analyzed for muscle carnosine content and gene expression (CARNS, TauT, ABAT, CNDP2, PHT1, PEPT2, and PAT1). Results: Carnosine content was increased from baseline at every time point in BA (all P < 0.0001; week 4 = + 11.37 +/- 7.03 mmolIkg(-1) dm, week 8 = + 13.88 +/- 7.84 mmolIkg(-1) dm, week 12 = + 16.95 +/- 8.54 mmolIkg(-1) dm, week 16 = + 17.63 +/- 8.42 mmolIkg(-1) dm, week 20 = + 21.20 +/- 7.86 mmolIkg (-1) dm, and week 24 = + 20.15 +/- 7.63 mmolIkg (-1) dm) but not placebo (all P < 0.05). Maximal increases were + 25.66 +/- 7.63 mmolIkg(-1) dm (range = + 17.13 to + 41.32 mmolIkg(-1) dm), and absolute maximal content was 48.03 +/- 8.97 mmolIkg(-1) dm (range = 31.79 to 63.92 mmolIkg(-1) dm). There was an effect of supplement (P = 0.002) on TauT; no further differences in gene expression were shown. Exercise capacity was improved in BA (P = 0.05) with possible to almost certain improvements across all weeks. Conclusions: Twenty-four weeks of BA supplementation increased muscle carnosine content and improved high-intensity cycling capacity. The downregulation of TauT suggests it plays an important role in muscle carnosine accumulation with BA supplementation, whereas the variability in changes in muscle carnosine content between individuals suggests that other determinants other than the availability of BA may also bear a major influence on muscle carnosine content. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/13026-5 - SUPPLEMENTATION OF B’ETA-ALANINE AND SODIUM BICARBONATE: EFFECTS ON ENERGETIC SYSTEM CONTRIBUTION DURING INTERMITTENT ANAEROBIC EXERCISE
• Grantee: Rafael Pires da Silva
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/22686-7 - Effect of beta-alanine supplementation on muscle carnosine and taurine concentrations during six months
• Grantee: Mariana Franchi
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 11/19513-2 - Effects of Chronic Beta-Alanine Supplementation with and without Acute Sodium Bicarbonate Ingestion on Peak Muscle Carnosine Concentration, Washout and High-Intensity Exercise Performance
• Grantee: Bryan Saunders
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/04806-0 - Effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity intermittent training on intramuscular carnosine concentrations
• Grantee: Vitor de Salles Painelli
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/11948-8 - Life without carnosine: development and characterization of a KO rat model for studying the physiological role of carnosine and its implications to physical exercise and muscle metabolism
• Grantee: Guilherme Giannini Artioli
• Support type: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/14746-4 - Carnosine metabolism in skeletal muscle: a multi-approach study
• Grantee: Bruno Gualano
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants