Skip to main content
Log in

Co-ingestion of protein or a protein hydrolysate with carbohydrate enhances anabolic signaling, but not glycogen resynthesis, following recovery from prolonged aerobic exercise in trained cyclists

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The effect of carbohydrate (CHO), or CHO supplemented with either sodium caseinate protein (CHO–C) or a sodium caseinate protein hydrolysate (CHO–H) on the recovery of skeletal muscle glycogen and anabolic signaling following prolonged aerobic exercise was determined in trained male cyclists [n = 11, mean ± SEM age 28.8 ± 2.3 years; body mass (BM) 75.0 ± 2.3 kg; VO2peak 61.3 ± 1.6 ml kg−1 min−1].

Methods

On three separate occasions, participants cycled for 2 h at ~ 70% VO2peak followed by a 4-h recovery period. Isoenergetic drinks were consumed at + 0 and + 2 h of recovery containing either (1) CHO (1.2 g kg −1 BM), (2) CHO–C, or (3) CHO–H (1.04 and 0.16 g kg−1 BM, respectively) in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis were taken prior to commencement of each trial, and at + 0 and + 4 h of recovery for determination of skeletal muscle glycogen, and intracellular signaling associated with protein synthesis.

Results

Despite an augmented insulin response following CHO–H ingestion, there was no significant difference in skeletal muscle glycogen resynthesis following recovery between trials. CHO–C and CHO–H co-ingestion significantly increased phospho-mTOR Ser2448 and 4EBP1 Thr37/46 versus CHO, with CHO–H displaying the greatest change in phospho-4EBP1 Thr37/46. Protein co-ingestion, compared to CHO alone, during recovery did not augment glycogen resynthesis.

Conclusion

Supplementing CHO with intact sodium caseinate or an insulinotropic hydrolysate derivative augmented intracellular signaling associated with skeletal muscle protein synthesis following prolonged aerobic exercise.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

4EBP1:

4E binding protein 1

AA:

Amino acids

BCAA:

Branched chain amino acids

BM:

Body mass

BMI:

Body mass index

CHO:

Carbohydrate

CHO–C:

CHO and sodium caseinate

CHO–H:

CHO and sodium caseinate hydrolysate

C max :

Maximal plasma concentration

DPP-IV:

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4

DXA:

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

EAA:

Essential amino acids

eEF2:

Eukaryotic elongation factor 2

GAPDH:

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase

HPLC:

High performance liquid chromatography

HR:

Heart rate

HRmax :

Maximum heart rate

LT:

Lactate threshold

MPS:

Muscle protein synthesis

mTOR:

Mechanistic target of rapamycin

OPA:

O-phthalaldehyde

RER:

Respiratory exchange ratio

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

RP-UPLC:

Reverse phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography

TAA:

Total amino acids

VO2peak :

Peak oxygen consumption

W max :

Maximum power output

References

Download references

Acknowledgements

Dr. Will McCormack and Prof. Phil Jakeman (University of Limerick, Ireland) for technical assistance with the analysis of plasma amino acid concentrations.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brendan Egan.

Ethics declarations

Funding

This work was supported by Food for Health Ireland (F.H.I) and Enterprise Ireland (Grant No.: TC2013001).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Additional information

Communicated by Anni Vanhatalo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cogan, K.E., Evans, M., Iuliano, E. et al. Co-ingestion of protein or a protein hydrolysate with carbohydrate enhances anabolic signaling, but not glycogen resynthesis, following recovery from prolonged aerobic exercise in trained cyclists. Eur J Appl Physiol 118, 349–359 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3775-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3775-x

Keywords

Navigation