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The effect of a 4-wk aerobic exercise training program (30-45 min, 3-5 d/wk, [greater than or equal to] 65% maximal heart rate) on mixed skeletal muscle protein fractional synthetic rate (FSR), fractional breakdown rate (FBR), and net protein balance (FSR - FBR) (NET) was examined in 8 healthy, previously unfit men and women [21.0 [+ or -] 0.4 y, 163.7 [+ or -] 4.4 cm, 75.6 [+ or -] 5.7 kg, 33.5 [+ or -] 4.1% body fat, V[O.sub.2peak] 38.6 [+ or -] 2.3 mL/(kg x min)] fed eucaloric diets providing 0.85 g protein/(kg x d) for the 6-wk study. Measurements were made at baseline after 2 wk of diet intervention only, and after 4 wk of aerobic exercise training and diet intervention. Primed continuous infusions of ring-[[sup.2][H.sub.5]]-phenylalanine (2 [micro]mol/kg; 0.05 [micro]mol/(kg x min) and [[sup.15]N]-phenylalanine (2 [micro]mol/kg; 0.05 [micro]mol/(kg x min) were used to assess skeletal muscle protein turnover at rest via the precursor-product method. Endurance training improved cardiovascular fitness, with a significant increase in V[O.sub.2peak] (P < 0.01) and a significant decrease in running time on a standard course (P < 0.01). There were no significant changes in body mass or composition. There was a significant increase in FSR (0.077 [+ or -] 0.007 vs. 0.089 [+ or -] 0.006%/h, P < 0.05) and decrease in NET (FSR - FBR) (-0.023 [+ or -] 0.004 vs. -0.072 [+ or -] 0.012%/h, P < 0.05); FBR tended to increase (0.105 [+ or -] 0.014 vs. 0.143 [+ or -] 0.018%/h; P = 0.06) after training. Findings show that aerobic training for 4 wk increases skeletal muscle protein turnover in previously unfit subjects. J. Nutr. 136: 379-383, 2006. KEY WORDS: * phenylalanine * endurance exercise * skeletal muscle protein turnover

This investigation evaluated the physiological impact of different dietary protein intakes on skeletal muscle protein synthesis postexercise in endurance runners. Five endurance-trained, male runners participated in a randomized, crossover design diet intervention, where they consumed either a low (0.8 g/kg; LP)-, moderate (1.8 g/kg; MP)-, or high (3.6 g/kg; HP)-protein diet for 4 wk. Diets were designed to be eucaloric with carbohydrate, fat, and protein approximating 60, 30, and 10%; 55, 30, and 15%; and 40, 30, and 30% for LP, MP, and HP, respectively. Substrate oxidation was assessed via indirect calorimetry at 3 wk of the dietary interventions. Mixed-muscle protein fractional synthetic rate (FSR) was measured after an endurance run (75 min at 70% [??][O.sub.2] peak) using a primed, continuous infusion of [[sup.2][H.sub.5]]phenylalanine. Protein oxidation increased with increasing protein intake, with each trial being significantly different from the other (P < 0.01). FSR after exercise was significantly greater for LP (0.083%/h) and MP (0.078%/h) than for HP (0.052%/h; P < 0.05). There was no difference in FSR between LP and MP. This is the first investigation to establish that habitual dietary protein intake in humans modulates skeletal muscle protein synthesis after an endurance exercise bout. Future studies directed at mechanisms by which level of protein intake influences skeletal muscle turnover are needed. amino acids; fractional synthetic rate; humans

Both exercise and dietary protein intake affect whole-body protein turnover (WBPTO). Few studies have investigated the effect of aerobic exercise training on WBPTO [leucine rate of appearance (Ra), oxidation (Ox), and nonoxidative leucine disposal (NOLD)] in untrained individuals consuming a specified level of protein. This study examined the effect of aerobic exercise training on WBPTO in untrained men and women during a controlled diet intervention providing 0.88 g protein/(kg * d). After a 2-wk adaptation to the study diet, 7 subjects [3 men, 4 women; 76.1 [+ or -] 5.8 kg, 164.7 [+ or -] 4.4 cm, 30.7 [+ or -] 4.5% body fat, 39.1 [+ or -] 2.8 V[O.sub.2max] (maximal oxygen uptake) mL/(kg * min)] participated in 4 wk of aerobic exercise training (running and walking 4-5 times/wk at 65-85% maximal heart rate). WBPTO (determined via constant infusion of 1-[[sup.13]C] leucine), nitrogen balance, and body composition were determined at baseline and after 4 wk of training. Nitrogen balance (-1.0 [+ or -] 0.7 vs. 0.9 [+ or -] 1.1 g N/24 h, P = 0.03) improved with exercise training, whereas body mass and composition did not change. Leucine Ra did not change, Ox decreased [18 [+ or -] 2 to 15 [+ or -] 2 [micro]mol/(kg * h), P [less than or equal to] 0.001], and NOLD tended to increase [128 [+ or -] 18 to 151 [+ or -] 19 [micro]mol/(kg * h), P = 0.09] in response to training. These data indicate improved protein utilization in response to exercise training in weight-stable subjects. This study emphasizes the importance of dietary control, with specific regard to energy and protein intakes, in the characterization of protein utilization in response to an exercise intervention. KEY WORDS: * protein turnover * body composition * nitrogen balance

Abstract Background To examine the effects of higher-protein diets on endogenous glucose metabolism in healthy, physically active adults, glucose turnover was assessed in five endurance-trained men (age 21.3 ± 0.3 y, VO2peak 70.6 ± 0.1 mL kg-1 min-1) who consumed dietary protein intakes spanning the current dietary reference intakes. Findings Using a randomized, crossover design, volunteers consumed 4 week eucaloric diets providing either a low (0.8 g kg-1 d-1; LP), moderate (1.8 g kg-1 d-1; MP), or high (3.6 g kg-1 d-1; HP) level of dietary protein. Glucose turnover (Ra, glucose rate of appearance; and Rd glucose rate of disappearance) was assessed under fasted, resting conditions using primed, constant infusions of [6,6-2H2] glucose. Glucose Ra and Rd (mg kg-1 min-1) were higher for MP (2.8 ± 0.1 and 2.7 ± 0.1) compared to HP (2.4 ± 0.1 and 2.3 ± 0.2, P < 0.05) and LP (2.3 ± 0.1 and 2.2 ± 0.1, P < 0.01) diets. Glucose levels (mmol/L) were not different (P > 0.05) between LP (4.6 ± 0.1), MP (4.8 ± 0.1), and HP (4.7 ± 0.1) diets. Conclusions Level of protein consumption influenced resting glucose turnover in endurance athletes in a state of energy balance with a higher rate of turnover noted for a protein intake of 1.8 g kg-1 d-1. Findings suggest that consumption of protein in excess of the recommended dietary allowance but within the current acceptable macronutrient distribution range may contribute to the regulation of blood glucose when carbohydrate intake is reduced by serving as a gluconeogenic substrate in endurance-trained men.

Abstract Background Inadequate energy intake induces changes in endogenous glucose production (GP) to preserve muscle mass. Whether addition provision of dietary protein modulates GP response to energy deficit is unclear. The objective was to determine whether exercise-induced energy deficit effects on glucose metabolism are mitigated by increased dietary protein. Methods Nineteen men ([mean ± SD] 23 ± 2 y, VO2peak 59 ± 5 ml·kg-1·min-1) were divided into three groups, two consuming moderate (MP; 0.9 g protein kg-1 d-1), and one high (HP; 1.8 g protein kg-1 d-1) protein diets (55% energy from carbohydrate) for 11 days. Following 4 days of energy balance (D1-4), energy expenditure was increased for 7 days (D5-12) in all groups. Energy intake was unchanged in two, creating a 1000 kcal d-1 deficit (DEF-MP, DEF-HP; n = 6, both groups), whereas energy balance was maintained in the third (BAL-MP, n = 7). Biochemical markers of substrate metabolism were measured during fasting rest on D4 and D12, as were GP and contribution of gluconeogenesis to endogenous glucose production (fgng) using 4-h primed, continuous infusions of [6,6-2H2]glucose (dilution-method) and [2-13C]glycerol (MIDA technique). Glycogen breakdown (GB) was derived from GP and fgng. Results Plasma β-hydroxybutyrate levels increased, and plasma glucose and insulin declined from D4 to D12, regardless of group. DEF-MP experienced decreased plasma GP from D4 to D12 ([mean change ± SD] 0.24 ± 0.24 mg·kg-1·min-1), due to reduced GB from D4 (1.40 ± 0.28 mg·kg-1·min-1) to D12 (1.16 ± 0.17 mg·kg-1·min-1), P < 0.05. Conversely, BAL-MP and DEF-HP sustained GP from D4 to D12 ([mean change ± SD] 0.1 ± 0.5 and 0.0 ± 0.2 mg·kg-1·min-1, respectively) by maintaining GB. Conclusion Exercise-induced energy deficit decreased GP and additional dietary protein mitigated that effect.

Abstract Background A sudden increase in exercise and energy expenditure is associated with an increase in protein turnover and nitrogen excretion. This study examined how a sudden increase in exercise-induced energy expenditure affected whole body protein metabolism and nitrogen balance in people of differing levels of aerobic fitness. We hypothesized that alterations in whole-body protein turnover would be attenuated, and nitrogen balance would be preserved, in individual with higher levels of aerobic fitness. Methods Eleven men, categorized as either having a lower (LOW-FIT; n = 5) or higher (FIT; n = 6) aerobic fitness level, completed a 4-d baseline period (BL) of an energy balance diet while maintaining usual physical activity level, followed by a 7-d intervention consisting of 1,000 kcal·d-1 increased energy expenditure via exercise (50–65% VO2peak). All volunteers consumed 0.9 g protein·kg-1·d-1 and total energy intake was adjusted to maintain energy balance throughout the 11-d study. Mean nitrogen balance (NBAL) was determined for BL, days 5–8 (EX1), and days 9–11 (EX2). Whole-body protein turnover was derived from phenylalanine and tyrosine kinetics assessed while fasting at rest on days 4, 7, and 12 using a priming dose of L-[ring-15N]tyrosine and a 4-h primed, continuous infusion of L-[15N]phenylalanine and L-[ring-2H4]tyrosine. Results A significant main effect of time indicated that NBAL increased over the course of the intervention; however, a group-by-time interaction was not observed. Although FIT demonstrated a lower net protein oxidation and higher net protein balance compared to LOW-FIT, neither the effect of time nor a group-by-time interaction was significant for Phe flux, net protein oxidation, or derived whole-body protein synthesis and net protein balance. Conclusion The absence of significant group-by-time interactions in protein metabolism (i.e., NBAL and whole-body protein turnover) between LOW-FIT and FIT males suggest that aerobic fitness level does not modulate protein "sparing" in response to an unaccustomed increase in energy expenditure.

Abstract Background Although several studies have investigated gender differences in the substrate and endocrine responses during and following endurance exercise, few have studied sex differences during a more prolonged recovery period post endurance exercise. The purpose of this study was to compare and characterize the endocrine and substrate profiles of trained male and female adult runners during the three-and-a-half hour recovery period from an endurance run. Methods After consuming a euenergetic diet (1.8 g·kg-1·d-1 protein, 26% fat, 58% carbohydrates, 42.8 ± 1.2 kcal/kg body weight) for 8 days, blood was collected from trained male (n = 6, 21 yrs, 70 kg, 180 cm, 9% body fat, VO2peak 78.0 ± 3.4 mL·kg FFM-1·min-1) and female (n = 6, 23 y, 66 kg, 170 cm, 29% body fat, VO2peak 71.6 ± 4.5 mL·kg FFM-1·min-1) endurance runners at rest and during recovery from a 75 min run at 70% VO2peak. Circulating levels of glucose, lactate, free fatty acids (FFAs), insulin, cortisol, growth hormone (GH), and free insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were measured. Results During the recovery period, females experienced increases in glucose, lactate and insulin while no changes were noted in men (P < 0.05). Males experienced increases in GH and decreases in IGF-I levels respectively (P < 0.05) while no changes were observed in females. FFA levels increased during recovery from endurance exercise, but changes were not different between genders. Conclusion These data further document gender differences in substrate and endocrine changes during a prolonged recovery period following endurance exercise. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effect of differing diets and nutritional supplements on these gender-specific post-exercise substrate and endocrine differences.

This study examined alterations in skeletal-muscle growth and atrophy-related molecular events after a single bout of moderate-intensity endurance exercise. Muscle biopsies were obtained from 10 men (23 ± 1 yr, body mass 80 ± 2 kg, and VO2peak 45 ± 1 ml · kg-1 · min-1) immediately (0 hr) and 3 hr after a 60-min bout of cycle exercise (60% ± 5% VO2peak). Corresponding muscle biopsies were also obtained under resting conditions. The phosphorylation status of insulin/IGF-PI3K molecular-signaling proteins, ubiquitin-proteasome-related gene expression, FOXO transcription factors, and myogenic regulatory factors in muscle samples was analyzed using multiplex analysis, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A condition-time interaction was observed for Akt phosphorylation (p < .05) with multiplexing. Regardless of endurance exercise, Akt phosphorylation decreased and ERK phosphorylation increased at 3 hr compared with 0 hr (p < .05). Levels of p70S6K phosphorylation were 110% greater (p < .05) at 3 hr than at 0 hr using Western blots. MuRF mRNA expression postexercise increased; levels were 4.7- and 5.7-fold greater (p < .05) at 0 hr and 3 hr, respectively, than at rest with qRT-PCR. Atrogin mRNA expression was up-regulated 3.2-fold 3 hr postexercise compared with rest. These findings demonstrate modest changes in the molecular responses to moderate endurance exercise in the absence of nutrition. This study provides the groundwork for future investigations designed to optimize the metabolic conditions necessary to positively influence the cellular mechanisms specific to skeletal-muscle protein turnover during recovery from endurance exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]