Project
The role of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the stimulation of skeletal muscle protein synthesis
The loss of muscle mass with ageing is accompanied by reduced physical performance, loss of functional capacity, increased risk of falling and increased likelihood of developing chronic metabolic diseases. The building blocks of our muscles, called amino acids, are important for the quantity and health of our muscles.
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs, i.e. leucine, isoleucine, and valine) are a specific subgroup of amino acids thought to be important for maintaining muscle mass, but may also prevent muscles from getting important nutrients (i.e. glucose) from the blood. Investigating the effect of BCAA on muscle protein synthesis has predominantly been done by supplementing. However, the effect of acute ingestion of BCAA on muscle protein synthesis and muscle glucose uptake (i.e. direct measure of muscle insulin sensitivity) is currently not known.
Background
Skeletal muscle tissue is important for movement and metabolic health, and maintaining muscle mass is therefore crucial for healthy ageing in absence of metabolic disease. Key regulatory factors for muscle mass maintenance and metabolic health are the increase in muscle protein synthesis and muscle glucose uptake after food ingestion.
Project Description
Currently, the lack of knowledge on the impact of dietary BCAA ingestion on postprandial MPS and muscle glucose uptake hinders, and may even preclude, the development of effective interventional strategies to preserve muscle mass and metabolic health across the lifespan. As such, the rationale for this work is to increase our understanding of muscle metabolism, by for the first time, investigating the effect on acute amino acid ingestion, with or without BCAA intake, on muscle protein synthesis and insulin sensitivity.