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Changes in muscle carnosine of subjects with 4 weeks supplementation with a controlled release formulation of beta‐alanine (Carnosyn™), and for 6 weeks post
Author(s) -
Harris Roger C,
Jones Glenys A,
Kim Hyo J,
Kim Chang K,
Price Karen A,
Wise John A
Publication year - 2009
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.23.1_supplement.599.4
Subject(s) - carnosine , ingestion , medicine , vastus lateralis muscle , endocrinology , zoology , chemistry , skeletal muscle , biology
Muscle Carnosine (M‐Carn) synthesis is limited by the availability of ?‐Alanine ( ?‐Ala) but can be increased by supplementation with ?‐Ala. This is of interest to athletes since increased levels of muscle M‐Carn have previously been shown to improve exercise performance. Above 10mg/kg bwt, however, ?‐Ala in solution or rapidly‐dissolving capsules causes symptoms of paraesthesia, despite the amount being less than that available from normal meat ingestion. PURPOSE To investigate the change in M‐Carn in subjects supplemented with a controlled‐release ?‐Ala formulation. METHOD Seven males received 2x800mg ?‐Ala controlled release tablets, 4/d for 4w. Controlled release tablets were Carnosyn(tm) supplied by Collegiate Sports Nutrition. A muscle biopsy from the vastus lateralis was taken at 0 and 4w, and 3 and 6w post supplementation. No control group was included as several previous studies have demonstrated no change in M‐Carn without ?‐Ala supplementation. RESULTS Subjects did not experience paraesthesia. Mean (±SD) M‐Carn at 0 and 4w, and, 3 and 6w post supplementation were 25.9±4.3, 41.3±5.5, 38.3±6.7 and 35.4±5.5 mmol.kg −1 dry muscle. Post supplementation M‐Carn declined via first‐order kinetics with a half‐life (t½) determined to be 8.6w. CONCLUSION The controlled release ?‐Ala formulation was effective in raising M‐Carn. Following supplementation, levels of M‐Carn declined slowly with a t½ ~9w.