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Biomedical subjects

Nancy R Rodriguez

Publications and source records attributed to Nancy R Rodriguez.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Dietary protein, endurance exercise, and human skeletal-muscle protein turnover.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Whereas diet and exercise have been shown to influence whole-body protein utilization, little is known about the impact of these factors on skeletal-muscle protein turnover. We highlight the role of dietary protein in modulating skeletal-muscle protein turnover in response to endurance exercise. Effects of endurance exercise on skeletal-muscle protein metabolism are presented and the influence of habitual protein intake on exercise-related protein responses is discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: Skeletal-muscle protein turnover increases in response to endurance exercise training and following a single endurance exercise bout. Nutritional supplementation postexercise favorably affects skeletal-muscle protein synthesis and demonstrates amino acid availability as pivotal to the skeletal-muscle synthetic response following exercise. The level of habitual protein intake influences postexercise skeletal-muscle protein turnover. SUMMARY: Dietary protein and exercise are powerful stimuli affecting protein turnover. Since variation in habitual protein intake influences skeletal-muscle protein turnover postexercise, investigations are needed to determine what role protein intake has in regulating skeletal-muscle protein metabolism. Long-term, well controlled diet and exercise intervention studies are essential for clarification of the relation between protein intake, endurance exercise, and skeletal-muscle protein turnover. Studies designed to characterize this relationship should be attentive to habitual macronutrient and energy intakes.

Biological Availability↗

Effects of dietary protein intake on indexes of hydration.

This study aims to characterize the relationship between increased protein intake and hydration indexes. Five men participated in a 12-week, randomized, crossover, controlled diet intervention study. Subjects consumed eucaloric diets containing 3.6 (high protein), 1.8 (moderate protein), and 0.8 (low protein) g/kg/day of protein for 4 weeks each. Energy intakes were based on requirements established relative to resting energy expenditure and activity at baseline. Assessments included blood urea nitrogen, plasma osmolality, urine-specific gravity, and estimates of fluid balance. Repeated-measures analyses of variance and paired t tests were used to determine effects of treatment and time. Fluid intake and fluid balance were unaffected. Blood urea nitrogen was higher for high protein vs low protein and vs moderate protein, and urine-specific gravity was higher for high protein vs moderate protein. Baseline plasma osmolality was greater for high protein vs low protein and vs moderate protein. The effect of increasing dietary protein on fluid status was minimal.

Adult↗

Level of dietary protein impacts whole body protein turnover in trained males at rest.

The current investigation examined the effect of variations in protein intake on Whole body protein turnover (WBPTO) at rest in endurance-trained males. Whole body protein turnover is influenced by both diet and exercise. Whether endurance athletes require more protein than the non-exerciser remains equivocal. Five male runners (21.3 +/- 0.3 years, 179 +/- 2 cm, 70.6 +/- 0.1 kg, 8.7% +/- 0.4% body fat, 70.6 +/- 0.1 VO(2)max) participated in a randomized, crossover design diet intervention where they consumed either a low-protein (LP; 0.8 g/kg), moderate-protein (MP; 1.8 g/kg), or high-protein (HP; 3.6 g/kg) diet for 3 weeks. Whole body protein turnover (Ra, leucine rate of appearance; NOLD, nonoxidative leucine disposal; and Ox, leucine oxidation), nitrogen balance, and substrate oxidation were assessed at rest following each dietary intervention period. The HP diet increased leucine Ra (indicator of protein breakdown; 136.7 +/- 9.3, 129.1 +/- 7.4, and 107.8 +/- 3.1 micromol/[kg . h] for HP, MP, and LP diets, respectively) and leucine Ox (31.0 +/- 3.6, 26.2 +/- 4.3, and 18.3 +/- 0.6 micromol/[kg . h] for HP, MP, and LP diets, respectively) compared with LP diet (P < .05). No differences were noted in nonoxidative leucine disposal (an indicator of protein synthesis) across diets. Nitrogen balance was greater for HP diet than for MP and LP diets (10.2 +/- 0.7, 1.8 +/- 0.6, and -0.3 +/- 0.5 for HP, MP, and LP diets, respectively). Protein oxidation increased with increasing protein intake (54% +/- 6%, 25% +/- 1%, and 14% +/- 2% for HP, MP, and LP diets, respectively). Findings from this study show that variations in protein intake can modulate WBPTO and that protein intake approximating the current recommended dietary allowance was not sufficient to achieve nitrogen balance in the endurance-trained males in this investigation. Our results suggest that a protein intake of 1.2 g/kg or 10% of total energy intake is needed to achieve a positive nitrogen balance. This is not a concern for most endurance athletes who routinely consume protein at or above this level.

Adult↗

Aerobic exercise training increases skeletal muscle protein turnover in healthy adults at rest.

The effect of a 4-wk aerobic exercise training program (30-45 min, 3-5 d/wk, >or=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+/- 0.4 y, 163.7+/- 4.4 cm, 75.6+/- 5.7 kg, 33.5+/- 4.1% body fat, VO(2 peak) 38.6+/- 2.3 mL/(kg.min)] fed eucaloric diets providing 0.85 g protein/(kg.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-[(2)H(5)]-phenylalanine (2 micromol/kg; 0.05 micromol/(kg.min) and [(15)N]-phenylalanine (2 micromol/kg; 0.05 micromol/(kg.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 VO(2 peak) (P<0.01) and a significant decrease in running time on a standard course (P<0.01). There were o significant changes in body mass or composition. There was a significant increase in FSR (0.077+/- 0.007 vs. 0.089+/- 0.006%/h, P<0.05) and decrease in NET (FSR - FBR) (-0.023 +/-0.004 vs. -0.072 +/- 0.012%/h, P < 0.05); FBR tended to increase (0.105+/- 0.014 vs. 0.143+/- 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.

Adolescent↗

Dietary protein intake and renal function.

Recent trends in weight loss diets have led to a substantial increase in protein intake by individuals. As a result, the safety of habitually consuming dietary protein in excess of recommended intakes has been questioned. In particular, there is concern that high protein intake may promote renal damage by chronically increasing glomerular pressure and hyperfiltration. There is, however, a serious question as to whether there is significant evidence to support this relationship in healthy individuals. In fact, some studies suggest that hyperfiltration, the purported mechanism for renal damage, is a normal adaptative mechanism that occurs in response to several physiological conditions. This paper reviews the available evidence that increased dietary protein intake is a health concern in terms of the potential to initiate or promote renal disease. While protein restriction may be appropriate for treatment of existing kidney disease, we find no significant evidence for a detrimental effect of high protein intakes on kidney function in healthy persons after centuries of a high protein Western diet.

Journal Article↗

Dietary protein intake impacts human skeletal muscle protein fractional synthetic rates after endurance exercise.

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% V(O2 peak)) using a primed, continuous infusion of [(2)H(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.

Adult↗

Optimal quantity and composition of protein for growing children.

Children have distinct nutritional needs relative to growth. Adequate intakes of energy and essential amino acids are necessary for optimal deposition of lean body mass and normal growth in young children. However, there are limited data concerning protein needs of children. Most recommendations for children represent an interpolation of data derived from infants and adults. Indeed, current protein requirements for young children, while scientifically based, are estimates at best. Historically, protein status in children was evaluated using classic nitrogen balance protocols. This work indicates that a wide range of protein intakes (0.6-2.9 g/kg) can be considered adequate for young, growing children. The ability of nitrogen balance studies to accurately reflect protein utilization has been examined and it appears that further investigations of protein utilization in children using stable isotope methodology, as well as traditional nitrogen balance protocols, are necessary to better evaluate protein needs of growing children. In addition, protein source may be an important factor in optimal diet design for growing children.

Amino Acids↗

Aerobic exercise training decreases leucine oxidation at rest in healthy adults.

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 +/- 5.8 kg, 164.7 +/- 4.4 cm, 30.7 +/- 4.5% body fat, 39.1 +/- 2.8 VO(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-[(13)C] leucine), nitrogen balance, and body composition were determined at baseline and after 4 wk of training. Nitrogen balance (-1.0 +/- 0.7 vs. 0.9 +/- 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 +/- 2 to 15 +/- 2 micromol/(kg . h), P </= 0.001], and NOLD tended to increase [128 +/- 18 to 151 +/- 19 micromol/(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.

Adult↗

Metabolic response to provision of mixed protein-carbohydrate supplementation during endurance exercise.

The interaction of substrates and hormones in response to ingestion of intact proteins during endurance exercise is unknown. This study characterized substrate and hormone responses to supplementation during endurance exercise. Nine male runners participated in 3 trials in which a non-fat (MILK), carbohydrate (CHO), or placebo (PLA) drink was consumed during a 2-hour treadmill run at 65% VO2max. Circulating levels of insulin, glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, growth hormone, testosterone, and cortisol were measured. Plasma substrates included glucose, lactate, free fatty acids, and select amino acids. Except for insulin and cortisol, hormones increased with exercise. While post-exercise insulin concentrations declined similarly in all 3 trials, the glucagon increase was greatest following MILK consumption. CHO blunted the post-exercise increase in growth hormone compared to levels in MILK. Free fatty acids and plasma amino acids also were responsive to nutritional supplementation with both CHO and MILK attenuating the rise in free fatty acids compared to the increase observed in PLA. Correspondingly, respiratory exchange ratio increased during CHO. Essential amino acids increased significantly only after MILK and were either unchanged or decreased in CHO. PLA was characterized by a decrease in branched-chain amino acid concentrations. Modest nutritional supplementation in this study altered the endocrine response as well as substrate availability and utilization following and during an endurance run, respectively.

Adult↗