Beta-alanine (Carnosyn™) supplementation in elderly subjects (60-80 years): effects on muscle carnosine content and physical capacity.

Favero, Serena; Roschel, Hamilton; Solis, Marina; Hayashi, Ana; Artioli, Guilherme; Otaduy, Maria; Benatti, Fabiana; Harris, Roger; Wise, John; Leite, Cláudia; Pereira, Rosa; Sá-Pinto, Ana; Lancha-Junior, Antonio; Gualano, Bruno

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on exercise capacity and the muscle carnosine content in elderly subjects. Eighteen healthy elderly subjects (60-80 years, 10 female and 4 male) were randomly assigned to receive either beta-alanine (BA, n = 12) or placebo (PL, n = 6) for 12 weeks. The BA group received 3.2 g of beta-alanine per day (2 × 800 mg sustained-release Carnosyn™ tablets, given 2 times per day). The PL group received 2 × (2 × 800 mg) of a matched placebo. At baseline (PRE) and after 12 weeks (POST-12) of supplementation, assessments were made of the muscle carnosine content, anaerobic exercise capacity, muscle function, quality of life, physical activity and food intake. A significant increase in the muscle carnosine content of the gastrocnemius muscle was shown in the BA group (+85.4%) when compared with the PL group (+7.2%) ( p = 0.004; ES: 1.21). The time-to-exhaustion in the constant-load submaximal test (i.e., TLIM) was significantly improved ( p = 0.05; ES: 1.71) in the BA group (+36.5%) versus the PL group (+8.6%). Similarly, time-to-exhaustion in the incremental test was also significantly increased ( p = 0.04; ES 1.03) following beta-alanine supplementation (+12.2%) when compared with placebo (+0.1%). Significant positive correlations were also shown between the relative change in the muscle carnosine content and the relative change in the time-to-exhaustion in the TLIM test ( r = 0.62; p = 0.01) and in the incremental test ( r = 0.48; p = 0.02). In summary, the current data indicate for the first time, that beta-alanine supplementation is effective in increasing the muscle carnosine content in healthy elderly subjects, with subsequent improvement in their exercise capacity.

CARNOSINE; ALANINE; PHYSICAL fitness testing; DRUG tablets; HEALTH of older people; SKELETAL muscle; CONTROLLED release drugs; INGESTION; THERAPEUTICS

Amino Acids, 2012, Vol 43, Issue 1, p49

0939-4451

Academic Journal

10.1007/s00726-011-1190-x