Predictive Metabolomics Evaluation of Nutrition-Modulated Metabolic Stress Responses in Human Blood Serum During the Early Recovery Phase of Strenuous Physical Exercise

Abstract

We have investigated whether postexercise ingestion of carbohydrates in combination with proteins generates a different systemic metabolic response, as compared to the sole ingestion of carbohydrate or water, in the early recovery phase following exercise. In addition, metabolic patterns related to fitness level were studied together with individual responses to nutritional modulation. Twenty-four male subjects were exposed to 90 min of ergometer-cycling. Each participant was subject to four identical test-sessions, including ingestion of one of four beverages (water, low-carbohydrate beverage, high-carbohydrate beverage, and low-carbohydrate-protein beverage (LCHO-P)) immediately after cycling. Blood was collected at six time points, one pre- and five postexercise. Extracted blood serum was subject to metabolomic characterization by gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF MS). Data was processed using hierarchical multivariate curve resolution (HMCR), and multivariate statistical analysis was carried out using orthogonal partial least-squares (OPLS). Predictive metabolomics, including predictive HMCR and OPLS classification, was applied to ensure efficient sample processing and validation of detected metabolic patterns. Separation of subjects in relation to ingested beverage was detected and interpreted. Pseudouridine was suggested as a novel marker for pro-anabolic effect following LCHO-P ingestion, which was supported by the detected decrease of the catabolic marker 3-methylhistidine. Separation of subjects according to fitness level was achieved, and nutritional modulation by LCHO-P was shown to improve the metabolic status of less fit subjects in the recovery phase. In addition, the potential of the methodology for detection of early signs of insulin resistance was also demonstrated.

Non-targeted metabolomics in sport and exercise science

“…Similarly, studies have shown nutritional interventions to alter the circulating levels of molecules related to energy metabolism (Chorell, Moritz, Branth, Antti, & Svensson, 2009;Miccheli et al, 2009;, with one showing that individuals supplemented with a low carbohydrate protein drink and classified into a lower fitness group displayed a post-exercise metabolomic profile similar to that of the high fitness group who consumed only water (Chorell et al, 2009). Further research is required to fully appreciate the influence of nutritional interventions on the metabolome at rest and in combination with exercise.…”

Metabolomics investigation of exercise-modulated changes in metabolism in rat liver after exhaustive and endurance exercises

“…Metabolic and physiologic responses to diVerent types of exercise and implications for exercise performance have increased in interest steadily over the past few decades (Gill and Hardman 2003;Chorell et al 2009). The main identifying parameters of exercise are type, intensity and duration, which cause diVerent eVects on physiological status.…”

Modulation of circulating purines and pyrimidines by physical exercise in the horse

“…Independently on the biological significance underlying elevation of circulating b-pseudouridine, results determined in our trained horses are the first, to the best of our knowledge, indicating that plasma b-pseudouridine increases 5 min after SET, showing a subsequent slow decrease in the following 30 min. Since previous findings in human beings have indicated that, in different groups of subjects, highest values of plasma b-pseudouridine were found in those having the highest fitness level (Chorell et al 2009), it appears evident that concentration of circulating b-pseudouridine is in strict correlation with the physical exercise.…”