Daily Leucine Intake Is Positively Associated with Lower Limb Skeletal Muscle Mass and Strength in the Elderly

Author(s):Show less -

Lixandrao, Manoel E. ^{[1, 2]} ; Longobardi, Igor ^[2] ; Leitao, Alice E. ^[2] ; Morais, Joao V. M. ^[2] ; Swinton, Paul A. ^[3] ; Aihara, Andre Y. ^[4] ; Goes, Paola C. K. ^[4] ; Ugrinowitsch, Carlos ^[1] ; Candow, Darren G. ^[5] ; Gualano, Bruno ^[2] ; Roschel, Hamilton ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, BR-05508030 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Appl Physiol & Nutr Res Grp, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Rheumatol Div, Fac Med FMUSP, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Robert Gordon Univ, Sch Hlth Sci, Aberdeen AB10 7QE - Scotland

^[4] Lab Delboni Auriemo, BR-04037005 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Regina, Fac Kinesiol & Hlth Studies, Regina, SK S4S 0A2 - Canada

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NUTRIENTS; v. 13, n. 10 OCT 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Higher daily protein intake, with an emphasis on leucine content, is thought to mitigate age-related anabolic resistance, potentially counteracting age-related morphological and functional declines. The present study investigated potential associations between total daily leucine intake and dependent variables, including quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and maximum dynamic muscle strength (1-RM) in a cohort of healthy free-living older individuals of both sexes (n = 67; 34/33 men/women). Participants performed three 24 h dietary recalls and underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam followed by 1-RM tests. Our results demonstrate moderate associations between total daily leucine and both quadriceps CSA (r = 0.42; p = 0.004) and 1-RM (r = 0.45; p = 0.001). Furthermore, our exploratory biphasic linear regression analyses, adjusted for sex, age, and protein intake relative to body weight, revealed a plateau for daily leucine intake and muscle mass and muscle strength (\~{}7.6-8.0 g \& BULL;day(-1)) in older adults. In conclusion, we demonstrated that total daily leucine intake is associated with muscle mass and strength in healthy older individuals and this association remains after controlling for multiple factors, including overall protein intake. Furthermore, our breakpoint analysis revealed non-linearities and a potential threshold for habitual leucine intake, which may help guide future research on the effects of chronic leucine intake in age-related muscle loss.</p> (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/22635-6 - Effects of resistance exercise volume on the variability of the hypertrophic response in ELDELY
• Grantee: Manoel Emílio Lixandrão
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate