Supplement with whey protein hydrolysate in contrast to carbohydrate supports mitochondrial adaptations in trained runners

Abstract

Background Protein supplementation has been suggested to augment endurance training adaptations by increasing mixed muscle and myofibrillar protein synthesis and lean body mass. However, a potential beneficial effect on mitochondrial adaptations is yet to be clarified. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of consuming whey protein hydrolysate before and whey protein hydrolysate plus carbohydrate (PRO-CHO) after each exercise session during a six-week training period compared to similarly timed intake of isocaloric CHO supplements on biomarkers of mitochondrial biogenesis, VO2max and performance in trained runners. Methods Twenty-four trained runners (VO2max 60.7 ± 3.7 ml O2 kg− 1 min1) completed a six-week block randomized controlled intervention period, consisting of progressive running training. Subjects were randomly assigned to either PRO-CHO or CHO and matched in pairs for gender, age, VO2max, training and performance status. The PRO-CHO group ingested a protein beverage (0.3 g kg− 1) before and protein-carbohydrate beverage (0.3 g protein kg− 1 and 1 g carbohydrate kg− 1) after each exercise session. The CHO group ingested an energy matched carbohydrate beverage. Resting muscle biopsies obtained pre and post intervention were analyzed for mitochondrial specific enzyme activity and mitochondrial protein content. Subjects completed a 6 K time trial (6 K TT) and a VO2max test pre, midway (only 6 K TT) and post intervention. Results Following six weeks of endurance training Cytochrome C (Cyt C) protein content was significantly higher in the PRO-CHO group compared to the CHO group (p < 0.05), with several other mitochondrial proteins (Succinate dehydrogenase (SDHA), Cytochrome C oxidase (COX-IV), Voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), and Prohibitin (PHB1)) following a similar, but non-significant pattern (p = 0.07–0.14). β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD) activity was significantly lower after training in the CHO group (p < 0.01), but not in the PRO-CHO group (p = 0.24). VO2max and 6 K TT was significantly improved after training with no significant difference between groups. Conclusion Intake of whey PRO hydrolysate before and whey PRO hydrolysate plus CHO after each exercise session during a six-week endurance training period may augment training effects on specific mitochondrial proteins compared to intake of iso-caloric CHO but does not alter VO2max or 6 K TT performance. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03561337. Registered 6 June 2018 – Retrospectively registered.

Six Weeks of Aerobic Exercise in Untrained Men With Overweight/Obesity Improved Training Adaptations, Performance and Body Composition Independent of Oat/Potato or Milk Based Protein-Carbohydrate Drink Supplementation

“…Thus, we cannot out rule the possibility that the present study's pre-post protein supplementation protocol (2 × 10 g protein doses supplying 0.2 g/kg body weight) and a lower weekly training frequency was insufficient to further enhance these cardiovascular adaptations compared to the Carbohydrate control group. In contrast to both our and Ferguson-Stegall et al's studies, Hansen et al ( 16 ) showed in a 6-week intervention that pre-post exercise ingestion of 0.3 g protein/kg body weight (~40 g protein) significantly increased Cytochrome C protein content compared to isocaloric intake of carbohydrates in trained runners but with no difference in . Several other mitochondrial proteins including SDHA, COX-IV, VDAC and HSP60 followed a similar, although non-significant, pattern.…”

“…Several other mitochondrial proteins including SDHA, COX-IV, VDAC and HSP60 followed a similar, although non-significant, pattern. However, the primary aim of the study by Hansen et al ( 16 ) was to detect differences in mitochondrial adaptations and was not powered to detect differences in performance outcomes, and it is difficult to translate these results to populations with lower training status such as our cohort. Other studies on endurance training have shown that adding protein to carbohydrate drinks in connection to training suppressed markers of muscle damage 12–24 h post-exercise or improved both performance and recovery ( 42 – 44 ).…”

Effects of whey protein on skeletal muscle microvascular and mitochondrial plasticity following 10 weeks of exercise training in men with type 2 diabetes

“…At the level of protein syntheses, another key part of the molecular regulation of cellular phenotype, most acute studies show evidence for substantially increased skeletal-muscle myofibrillar protein synthesis from whey protein (or whey and leucine) ingestion associated with exercise (Breen et al 2011;Churchward-Venne et al 2019;Coffey et al 2011;Rowlands et al 2015), but effects on mitochondrial fraction are largely neutral (Breen et al 2011;Churchward-Venne et al 2019;Coffey et al 2011). There is some evidence, albeit mixed, however, to suggest that chronic whey protein added to a carbohydrate consumed during and after endurance exercise may accentuate mitochondrial adaptation; for example, vs isocaloric non-protein controls, 2 week supplementation in trained men increased skeletal muscle peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1a) (Hill et al 2013), 6 weeks of a milk protein supplement increased maximal oxygen uptake (V _ O 2max ), but without change on accumulated muscle protein in aged men (Robinson et al 2011), and 6-weeks of protein plus carbohydrate supplementation produced significant increases in some but not all mitochondrial proteins measured (Hansen et al 2020).…”

The effect of blood glucose, blood lactate and creatine kinase levels after carbohydrate-protein supplement uptake on recovery period after exercise in pencak silat athletes

“…It's recommended that athletes consume 30-60 g of carbohydrate drinks every 15-20 minutes during exercise (Naclerio et al, 2019;Olsen et al, 2010;Liang et al, 2022). This regimen helps to maintain optimal energy levels and offset mineral loss Proteins for Energy and Recovery, While carbohydrates take the lead in energy provision, proteins play a role as intermediaries in energy production pathways (Hansen et al,2020;Goldstein et al,2022).…”