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Leucine-enriched protein feeding does not impair exercise-induced free fatty acid availability and lipid oxidation: beneficial implications for training in carbohydrate-restricted states

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Abstract

Given that the enhanced oxidative adaptations observed when training in carbohydrate (CHO)-restricted states is potentially regulated through free fatty acid (FFA)-mediated signalling and that leucine-rich protein elevates muscle protein synthesis, the present study aimed to test the hypothesis that leucine-enriched protein feeding enhances circulating leucine concentration but does not impair FFA availability or whole body lipid oxidation during exercise. Nine males cycled for 2 h at 70 % VO2peak when fasted (PLACEBO) or having consumed a whey protein solution (WHEY) or a leucine-enriched whey protein gel (GEL), administered as 22 g 1 h pre-exercise, 11 g/h during and 22 g 30 min post-exercise. Total leucine administration was 14.4 g and 6.3 in GEL and WHEY, respectively. Mean plasma leucine concentrations were elevated in GEL (P = 0.001) compared with WHEY and PLACEBO (375 ± 100, 272 ± 51, 146 ± 14 µmol L−1, respectively). No differences (P = 0.153) in plasma FFA (WHEY 0.53 ± 0.30, GEL 0.45 ± 0.25, PLACEBO 0.65 ± 0.30, mmol L−1) or whole body lipid oxidation during exercise (WHEY 0.37 ± 0.26, GEL 0.36 ± 0.24, PLACEBO 0.34 ± 0.24 g/min) were apparent between trials, despite elevated (P = 0.001) insulin in WHEY and GEL compared with PLACEBO (38 ± 16, 35 ± 16, 22 ± 11 pmol L−1, respectively). We conclude that leucine-enriched protein feeding does not impair FFA availability or whole body lipid oxidation during exercise, thus having practical applications for athletes who deliberately train in CHO-restricted states to promote skeletal muscle adaptations.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a research grant from Science in Sport (SiS) UK, plc.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Byrom St Campus, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK

    Samuel G. Impey, Dominic Smith, Amy L. Robinson, Daniel J. Owens, Jonathan D. Bartlett, Graeme L. Close & James P. Morton

  2. MRC ARUK Centre for Excellence in Musculoskeletal Ageing, Research Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, School of Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Utoxeter Road, Derby, DE22 3DT, UK

    Kenneth Smith & Marie Limb

  3. Biomedical Research Centre, Norwich Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK

    Jonathan Tang & William D. Fraser

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  1. Samuel G. Impey
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Correspondence to James P. Morton.

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Impey, S.G., Smith, D., Robinson, A.L. et al. Leucine-enriched protein feeding does not impair exercise-induced free fatty acid availability and lipid oxidation: beneficial implications for training in carbohydrate-restricted states. Amino Acids 47, 407–416 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-014-1876-y

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