Minimal whey protein with carbohydrate stimulates muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise in young men.

Whey protein is a supplemental protein source often used by athletes, particularly those aiming to gain muscle mass; however, direct evidence for its efficacy in stimulating muscle protein synthesis (MPS) is lacking. We aimed to determine the impact of consuming whey protein on skeletal muscle protein turnover in the post-exercise period. Eight healthy resistance-trained young men (age = 21 ± 1 .0 years; BMI = 26.8 ± 0.9 kg/m2 (means ± SE)) participated in a double-blind randomized crossover trial in which they performed a unilateral leg resistance exercise workout (EX: 4 sets of knee extensions and 4 sets of leg press; 8–10 repetitions/set; 80% of maximal), such that one leg was not exercised and acted as a rested (RE) comparator. After exercise, subjects consumed either an isoenergetic whey protein plus carbohydrate beverage (WHEY: 10 g protein and 21 g fructose) or a carbohydrate-only beverage (CHO: 21 g fructose and 10 g maltodextran). Subjects received pulse-tracer injections of l-[ring-2H5]phenylalanine and l-[15N]phenylalanine to measure MPS. Exercise stimulated a rise in MPS in the WHEY-EX and CHO-EX legs, which were greater than MPS in the WHEY-RE leg and the CHO-RE leg (all p < 0.05), respectively. The rate of MPS in the WHEY-EX leg was greater than in the CHO-EX leg (p < 0.001). We conclude that a small dose (10 g) of whey protein with carbohydrate (21 g) can stimulate a rise in MPS after resistance exercise in trained young men that would be supportive of a positive net protein balance, which, over time, would lead to hypertrophy.

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The response of muscle protein synthesis following whole-body resistance exercise is greater following 40 g than 20 g of ingested whey protein

Physiological Reports ◽

10.14814/phy2.12893 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (15) ◽

pp. e12893 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

Lindsay S. Macnaughton ◽

Sophie L. Wardle ◽

Oliver C. Witard ◽

Chris McGlory ◽

D. Lee Hamilton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Synthesis ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

Whey Protein ◽

Muscle Protein ◽

Muscle Protein Synthesis ◽

Whole Body ◽

Body Resistance

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Whey Protein Hydrolysate Increases Amino Acid Uptake, mTORC1 Signaling, and Protein Synthesis in Skeletal Muscle of Healthy Young Men in a Randomized Crossover Trial

Journal of Nutrition ◽

10.1093/jn/nxz053 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 149 (7) ◽

pp. 1149-1158 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Tatiana Moro ◽

Camille R Brightwell ◽

Brenda Velarde ◽

Christopher S Fry ◽

Kyosuke Nakayama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Synthesis ◽

Whey Protein ◽

Crossover Trial ◽

Muscle Protein ◽

Protein Hydrolysate ◽

Muscle Protein Synthesis ◽

Young Men ◽

Protein Sources ◽

Mtorc1 Signaling ◽

Whey Protein Hydrolysate

ABSTRACT Background Muscle protein synthesis (MPS) can be stimulated by ingestion of protein sources, such as whey, casein, or soy. Protein supplementation can enhance muscle protein synthesis after exercise and may preserve skeletal muscle mass and function in aging adults. Therefore, identifying protein sources with higher anabolic potency is of high significance. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the anabolic potency and efficacy of a novel whey protein hydrolysate mixture (WPH) on mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling and skeletal MPS in healthy young subjects. Methods Ten young men (aged 28.7 ± 3.6 y, 25.2 ± 2.9 kg/m2 body mass index [BMI]) were recruited into a double-blind two-way crossover trial. Subjects were randomized to receive either 0.08 g/kg of body weight (BW) of WPH or an intact whey protein (WHEY) mixture during stable isotope infusion experiments. Fractional synthetic rate, leucine and phenylalanine kinetics, and markers of amino acid sensing were assessed as primary outcomes before and 1–3 h after protein ingestion using a repeated measures mixed model. Results Blood leucine concentration, delivery of leucine to muscle, transport of leucine from blood into muscle and intracellular muscle leucine concentration significantly increased to a similar extent 1 h after ingestion of both mixtures (P < 0.05). Phosphorylation of S6K1 (i.e. a marker of mTORC1 activation) increased equally by ∼20% 1-h postingestion (P < 0.05). Ingestion of WPH and WHEY increased mixed MPS similarly in both groups by ∼43% (P < 0.05); however, phenylalanine utilization for synthesis increased in both treatments 1-h postingestion but remained elevated 3-h postingestion only in the WPH group (P < 0.05). Conclusions We conclude that a small dose of WPH effectively increases leucine transport into muscle, activating mTORC1 and stimulating MPS in young men. WPH anabolic potency and efficacy for promoting overall muscle protein anabolism is similar to WHEY, an intact protein source. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03313830.

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Effect of an Amino Acid, Protein, and Carbohydrate Mixture on Net Muscle Protein Balance after Resistance Exercise

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism ◽

10.1123/ijsnem.14.3.255 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 255-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

Elisabet Børsheim ◽

Asle Aarsland ◽

Robert R. Wolfe

Keyword(s):

Protein Synthesis ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

Whey Protein ◽

Muscle Protein ◽

Muscle Protein Synthesis ◽

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Constant Infusion ◽

Delayed Response ◽

Protein Balance

This study tests the hypotheses that (a) a mixture of whey protein, amino acids (AA), and carbohydrates (CHO) stimulates net muscle protein synthesis to a greater extent than isoenergetic CHO alone after resistance exercise; and (b) that the stimulatory effect of a protein, AA, and CHO mixture will last beyond the 1 st hour after intake. Eight subjects participated in 2 trials. In one (PAAC), they ingested 77.4 g CHO, 17.5 g whey protein, and 4.9 g AA 1 hr after resistance exercise. In the other (CON), 100 g CHO was ingested instead. They received a primed constant infusion of L-[2H5]-phenylalanine, and samples from femoral artery and vein, and biopsies from vastus lateralis were obtained. The area under the curve for net uptake of phenylalanine into muscle above pre-drink value was 128 ±42 mg • leg-1 (PAAC) versus 32 ± 10 mg - leg-1 (CON) for the 3 hr after the drink (p = .04). The net protein balance response to the mixture consisted of two components, one rapid immediate response, and a smaller delayed response about 90 min after drink, whereas in CON only a small delayed response was seen. We conclude that after resistance exercise, a mixture of whey protein, AA, and CHO stimulated muscle protein synthesis to a greater extent than isoenergetic CHO alone. Further, compared to previously reported findings, the addition of protein to an AA + CHO mixture seems to extend the anabolic effect.

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Myofibrillar muscle protein synthesis rates subsequent to a meal in response to increasing doses of whey protein at rest and after resistance exercise

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.3945/ajcn.112.055517 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 99 (1) ◽

pp. 86-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 240

Author(s):

Oliver C Witard ◽

Sarah R Jackman ◽

Leigh Breen ◽

Kenneth Smith ◽

Anna Selby ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Synthesis ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

Whey Protein ◽

Muscle Protein ◽

Muscle Protein Synthesis

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Bolus Arginine Supplementation Affects neither Muscle Blood Flow nor Muscle Protein Synthesis in Young Men at Rest or After Resistance Exercise

Journal of Nutrition ◽

10.3945/jn.110.130138 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 141 (2) ◽

pp. 195-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Jason E. Tang ◽

Paul J. Lysecki ◽

Joshua J. Manolakos ◽

Maureen J. MacDonald ◽

Mark A. Tarnopolsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Protein Synthesis ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

Muscle Protein ◽

Muscle Protein Synthesis ◽

Muscle Blood Flow ◽

Young Men ◽

Arginine Supplementation

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Ingestion of whey hydrolysate, casein, or soy protein isolate: effects on mixed muscle protein synthesis at rest and following resistance exercise in young men

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00076.2009 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 107 (3) ◽

pp. 987-992 ◽

Cited By ~ 460

Author(s):

Jason E. Tang ◽

Daniel R. Moore ◽

Gregory W. Kujbida ◽

Mark A. Tarnopolsky ◽

Stuart M. Phillips

Keyword(s):

Protein Synthesis ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

Soy Protein ◽

Muscle Protein ◽

Muscle Protein Synthesis ◽

Soy Protein Isolate ◽

Young Men ◽

Protein Isolate ◽

Whey Hydrolysate ◽

Micellar Casein

This study was designed to compare the acute response of mixed muscle protein synthesis (MPS) to rapidly (i.e., whey hydrolysate and soy) and slowly (i.e., micellar casein) digested proteins both at rest and after resistance exercise. Three groups of healthy young men ( n = 6 per group) performed a bout of unilateral leg resistance exercise followed by the consumption of a drink containing an equivalent content of essential amino acids (10 g) as either whey hydrolysate, micellar casein, or soy protein isolate. Mixed MPS was determined by a primed constant infusion of l-[ ring-13C6]phenylalanine. Ingestion of whey protein resulted in a larger increase in blood essential amino acid, branched-chain amino acid, and leucine concentrations than either casein or soy (P < 0.05). Mixed MPS at rest (determined in the nonexercised leg) was higher with ingestion of faster proteins (whey = 0.091 ± 0.015, soy = 0.078 ± 0.014, casein = 0.047 ± 0.008%/h); MPS after consumption of whey was ∼93% greater than casein (P < 0.01) and ∼18% greater than soy (P = 0.067). A similar result was observed after exercise (whey > soy > casein); MPS following whey consumption was ∼122% greater than casein (P < 0.01) and 31% greater than soy (P < 0.05). MPS was also greater with soy consumption at rest (64%) and following resistance exercise (69%) compared with casein (both P < 0.01). We conclude that the feeding-induced simulation of MPS in young men is greater after whey hydrolysate or soy protein consumption than casein both at rest and after resistance exercise; moreover, despite both being fast proteins, whey hydrolysate stimulated MPS to a greater degree than soy after resistance exercise. These differences may be related to how quickly the proteins are digested (i.e., fast vs. slow) or possibly to small differences in leucine content of each protein.

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Whey protein but not collagen peptides stimulate acute and longer-term muscle protein synthesis with and without resistance exercise in healthy older women: a randomized controlled trial

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1093/ajcn/nqz332 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 111 (3) ◽

pp. 708-718 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Sara Y Oikawa ◽

Michael J Kamal ◽

Erin K Webb ◽

Chris McGlory ◽

Steven K Baker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Protein Synthesis ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

Older Women ◽

Whey Protein ◽

Protein Quality ◽

Muscle Protein ◽

Muscle Protein Synthesis ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Rest And Exercise

ABSTRACT Background Aging appears to attenuate the response of skeletal muscle protein synthesis (MPS) to anabolic stimuli such as protein ingestion (and the ensuing hyperaminoacidemia) and resistance exercise (RE). Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of protein quality on feeding- and feeding plus RE–induced increases of acute and longer-term MPS after ingestion of whey protein (WP) and collagen protein (CP). Methods In a double-blind parallel-group design, 22 healthy older women (mean ± SD age: 69 ± 3 y, n = 11/group) were randomly assigned to consume a 30-g supplement of either WP or CP twice daily for 6 d. Participants performed unilateral RE twice during the 6-d period to determine the acute (via [13C6]-phenylalanine infusion) and longer-term (ingestion of deuterated water) MPS responses, the primary outcome measures. Results Acutely, WP increased MPS by a mean ± SD 0.017 ± 0.008%/h in the feeding-only leg (Rest) and 0.032 ± 0.012%/h in the feeding plus exercise leg (Exercise) (both P < 0.01), whereas CP increased MPS only in Exercise (0.012 ± 0.013%/h) (P < 0.01) and MPS was greater in WP than CP in both the Rest and Exercise legs (P = 0.02). Longer-term MPS increased by 0.063 ± 0.059%/d in Rest and 0.173 ± 0.104%/d in Exercise (P < 0.0001) with WP; however, MPS was not significantly elevated above baseline in Rest (0.011 ± 0.042%/d) or Exercise (0.020 ± 0.034%/d) with CP. Longer-term MPS was greater in WP than in CP in both Rest and Exercise (P < 0.001). Conclusions Supplementation with WP elicited greater increases in both acute and longer-term MPS than CP supplementation, which is suggestive that WP is a more effective supplement to support skeletal muscle retention in older women than CP. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03281434.

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