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Betaine supplementation enhances anabolic endocrine and Akt signaling in response to acute bouts of exercise

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Abstract

Our aim was to examine the effect of betaine supplementation on selected circulating hormonal measures and Akt muscle signaling proteins after an acute exercise session. Twelve trained men (age 19.7 ± 1.23 years) underwent 2 weeks of supplementation with either betaine (B) (1.25 g BID) or placebo (P). Following a 2-week washout period, subjects underwent supplementation with the other treatment (B or P). Before and after each 2-week period, subjects performed an acute exercise session (AES). Circulating GH, IGF-1, cortisol, and insulin were measured. Vastus lateralis samples were analyzed for signaling proteins (Akt, p70 S6k, AMPK). B (vs. P) supplementation approached a significant increase in GH (mean ± SD (Area under the curve, AUC), B: 40.72 ± 6.14, P: 38.28 ± 5.54, p = 0.060) and significantly increased IGF-1 (mean ± SD (AUC), B: 106.19 ± 13.45, P: 95.10 ± 14.23, p = 0.010), but significantly decreased cortisol (mean ± SD (AUC), B: 1,079.18 ± 110.02, P: 1,228.53 ± 130.32, p = 0.007). There was no difference in insulin (AUC). B increased resting Total muscle Akt (p = 0.003). B potentiated phosphorylation (relative to P) of Akt (Ser473) and p70 S6 k (Thr389) (p = 0.016 and p = 0.005, respectively). Phosphorylation of AMPK (Thr172) decreased during both treatments (both p = 0.001). Betaine (vs. placebo) supplementation enhanced both the anabolic endocrine profile and the corresponding anabolic signaling environment, suggesting increased protein synthesis.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the DuPont Nutrition & Health for funding this study. Also, we wish to thank Kathleen N. Beasley, Brittanie M. Volk, Glenn Solomon-Hill, and Dr. Beth Joseph, M.D. for their assistance in data collection and the subjects for their participation.

Conflict of interest

This study was partially funded by DuPont Nutrition & Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, 2095 Hillside Road, Unit 1110, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA

    Jenna M. Apicella, Elaine C. Lee, Brooke L. Bailey, Catherine Saenz, Jeffrey M. Anderson, William J. Kraemer, Jeff S. Volek & Carl M. Maresh

  2. DuPont Nutrition and Health, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA

    Stuart A. S. Craig

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  1. Jenna M. Apicella
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  2. Elaine C. Lee
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  3. Brooke L. Bailey
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  4. Catherine Saenz
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  5. Jeffrey M. Anderson
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  6. Stuart A. S. Craig
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  9. Carl M. Maresh
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Correspondence to Carl M. Maresh.

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Communicated by Fabio Fischetti.

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Apicella, J.M., Lee, E.C., Bailey, B.L. et al. Betaine supplementation enhances anabolic endocrine and Akt signaling in response to acute bouts of exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 113, 793–802 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2492-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2492-8

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