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The Effect of Caffeine on Protein Synthesis Rates in Rat Gastrocnemius Muscle Tissue
Author(s) -
Bui Steve,
Shimkus Kevin L,
Lee Chang Woock,
Lee Teak V,
Chen Vincent CW,
Fluckey James D,
Riechman Steve E
Publication year - 2013
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.27.1_supplement.lb807
Subject(s) - caffeine , gastrocnemius muscle , medicine , endocrinology , chemistry , skeletal muscle
Background Few studies have observed caffeine's effects on resistance exercise (RE). Some studies have shown caffeine may affect several key protein synthesis pathways. Since RE is commonly performed to increase muscle protein synthesis, it would be important to determine how caffeine affects protein fractional synthesis rates (FSR). Methods Thirty‐six male Sprague‐Dawley rats were assigned into six groups: no exercise no caffeine (NENC), no exercise low caffeine (NELC), no exercise high caffeine (NEHC), exercise no caffeine (ENC), exercise low caffeine (ELC), and exercise high caffeine (EHC). Animals in the exercise groups performed four sessions of jump squats with weighted vests. On each exercise day, caffeine groups were given three caffeine injections (LC: 2mg/kg; HC: 6mg/kg). All animals were given deuterium oxide as a protein tracer on the last RE session, and the gastrocnemius muscle was collected 24 hours later and FSR was analyzed. Results FSR was significantly different between exercise and no exercise groups (E: 10.33±0.49; NE: 8.54±0.33, p<0.05); however, there was no effect of caffeine intake on FSR (NENC: 8.36±0.82, NELC: 8.65±0.75; NEHC: 8.56±0.82/ ENC: 10.75±0.75; ELC: 9.99±0.75; EHC: 10.25±0.75, p>;0.05). Conclusion Our data suggests that habitual caffeine intake plays little to no role in post‐RE protein FSR. This observation could be due to an increased tolerance level for caffeine.