Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation in Combination with Voluntary Running Improves Body Composition in Female C57BL/6 Mice
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Exercise is an inexpensive intervention that may be used to reduce obesity and its consequences. In addition, many individuals who regularly exercise utilize dietary supplements to enhance their exercise routine and to accelerate fat loss or increase lean mass. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a popular supplement and have been shown to produce a number of beneficial effects in rodent models and humans. Therefore, we hypothesized that BCAA supplementation would protect against high fat diet (HFD)-induced glucose intolerance and obesity in mice with and without access to exercise. We subjected 80 female C57BL/6 mice to a paradigm of HFD feeding, exercise in the form of voluntary wheel running, and BCAA supplementation in the drinking water for 16 weeks (n = 10 per group). Body weight was monitored weekly, while food and water consumption were recorded twice weekly. During the 5th, 10th, and 15th weeks of treatment, glucose tolerance and body composition were analyzed. Exercise significantly improved glucose tolerance in both control-fed and HFD-fed mice. BCAA supplementation, however, did not significantly alter glucose tolerance in any treatment group. While BCAA supplements did not improve lean to fat mass ratio in sedentary mice, it significantly augmented the effects of exercise on this parameter.
Source: Journal of Dietary Supplements
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: Center of Research in Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease (1P20 RR021954-01A1), Center of Research on Obesity and Cardiovascular Diseases, Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences: Multidisciplinary Approaches for Metabolic Disease, Maternal Exercise Protects Offspring from Obesity and Insulin Resistance, G5395618215, Nutrition and Superfund Chemical Toxicity
OpenAlex ID: W2228696531