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The Effect of Whole Body Physical Training on the Carnosine Content of V Lateralis
Author(s) -
Harris Roger C.,
Kendrick Iain P.,
Kim Changkeun,
Kim Hyojeong,
Dang Viet H.,
Lam Thanh Q.,
Bui Toai T.,
Wise John A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a943-b
Subject(s) - carnosine , placebo , medicine , taurine , endocrinology , limiting , strength training , body weight , muscle mass , zoology , physical therapy , chemistry , biochemistry , biology , amino acid , mechanical engineering , alternative medicine , pathology , engineering
Carnosine (Carn) occurs in high concentrations in muscle where it contributes to H+ buffering. Highest levels occur in chronically trained athletes. Carn (ß‐AlaHis dipeptide) can also be increased 60% or more by supplementation with ß‐alanine (ß‐Ala), which is rate limiting for Carn synthesis in muscle. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of training with or without ß‐Ala supplementation on muscle Carn synthesis during a 10 week program of strength training. Male Vietnamese physical education students (n=26) aged 20–26 yrs, of normal body mass and height were matched in pairs according to body mass and initial strength, and evenly randomised to receive [800mg] x 8/d x 10wk of ß‐Ala (Carnosyn™) or matching placebo capsules of maltodextrin. Subjects undertook 4 weight‐training sessions per week, 2 being lower body‐dominant and 2 upper body‐dominant designed to induce maximal strength and muscle mass gains. Biopsies of the V. lateralis were taken at 0 and 10 wks for analysis of Carn and taurine (Tau). Muscle Carn was unchanged with training alone (pre 29.2 ±SE 2.6 vs post 27.3 ± 2.8 mmol.kg‐1 dm) but increased 53% when ß‐Ala supplementation was included (23.6 ± 1.4 vs 36.0 ± 2.2 mmol.kg‐1 dm; P<0.001). Tau did not change. CONCLUSION Carn was unchanged by 10 wks training but was increased when ß‐Ala supplementation was included, and to a similar extent seen in other studies undertaken without training.