Beta-alanine (Carnosyn (TM)) supplementation in elderly subjects (60-80 years): effects on muscle carnosine content and physical capacity

Author(s):Show less -

del Favero, Serena ^[1] ; Roschel, Hamilton ^[1] ; Solis, Marina Y. ^[1] ; Hayashi, Ana P. ^[1] ; Artioli, Guilherme G. ^[1] ; Otaduy, Maria Concepcion ^[2] ; Benatti, Fabiana B. ^[1] ; Harris, Roger C. ^[3] ; Wise, John A. ^[4] ; Leite, Claudia C. ^[2] ; Pereira, Rosa M. ^[5] ; de Sa-Pinto, Ana L. ^[5] ; Lancha-Junior, Antonio Herbert ^[1] ; Gualano, Bruno ^[1]

Affiliation

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

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Div Radiol, Sch Med, BR-05508030 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Junipa Ltd, Newmarket, Suffolk - England

^[4] Nat Alternat Int Inc, San Marcos, TX - USA

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Div Rheumatol, Sch Med, BR-05508030 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Amino Acids; v. 43, n. 1, p. 49-56, JUL 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 67

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on exercise capacity and the muscle carnosine content in elderly subjects. Eighteen healthy elderly subjects (60-80 years, 10 female and 4 male) were randomly assigned to receive either beta-alanine (BA, n = 12) or placebo (PL, n = 6) for 12 weeks. The BA group received 3.2 g of beta-alanine per day (2 x 800 mg sustained-release Carnosyn (TM) tablets, given 2 times per day). The PL group received 2 x (2 x 800 mg) of a matched placebo. At baseline (PRE) and after 12 weeks (POST-12) of supplementation, assessments were made of the muscle carnosine content, anaerobic exercise capacity, muscle function, quality of life, physical activity and food intake. A significant increase in the muscle carnosine content of the gastrocnemius muscle was shown in the BA group (+85.4%) when compared with the PL group (+7.2%) (p = 0.004; ES: 1.21). The time-to-exhaustion in the constant-load submaximal test (i.e., TLIM) was significantly improved (p = 0.05; ES: 1.71) in the BA group (+36.5%) versus the PL group (+8.6%). Similarly, time-to-exhaustion in the incremental test was also significantly increased (p = 0.04; ES 1.03) following beta-alanine supplementation (+12.2%) when compared with placebo (+0.1%). Significant positive correlations were also shown between the relative change in the muscle carnosine content and the relative change in the time-to-exhaustion in the TLIM test (r = 0.62; p = 0.01) and in the incremental test (r = 0.48; p = 0.02). In summary, the current data indicate for the first time, that beta-alanine supplementation is effective in increasing the muscle carnosine content in healthy elderly subjects, with subsequent improvement in their exercise capacity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/11221-0 - Artificial elevation of muscle buffering capacity: effects upon muscle performance and function and underlying mechanisms
• Grantee: Antonio Herbert Lancha Junior
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants