The effect of leucine supplementation on muscular protein synthesis

  • Guilherme Rossi da Mata Programa de Pós-Graduação Lato-Sensu da Universidade Gama Filho Nutrição Esportiva
  • Francisco Navarro Programa de Pós-Graduação Lato-Sensu da Universidade Gama Filho Nutrição Esportiva. Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercí­cio
Keywords: AACR, Leucine, Protein synthesis, Muscle

Abstract

Introduction: Leucine, isoleucine and valine - branched chain aminoacids (BCAA) - are essencial components in human diet, represents 30% of our all muscular protein and lately has gaining attention due your physiological properties. Objective: Through this review, collect the most studies and others reviews as possible, with humans or animals, with shows the effects of the BCAA, and leucine mainly, in the increase of the muscular protein synthesis. Literature review: 10 studies were mentioned in this review, which 6 with rats and 4 with humans. The intervention protocols ranged between the presence or not of physical activities and the privation or not of feeding. The supplementation protocols also changed between studies. Analyzing the results, we found that in 100% of the studies the leucine supplementation was effective rising the muscular protein synthesis. Leucine promotes the protein synthesis through mechanisms involving a kinase protein called mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and it stimulates the protein synthesis through 3 key proteins: p70s6K, 4E-BP1 and eIF4G. Conclusions: The leucine supplementation stimulates the muscular protein synthesis in rats and in humans, submitted to physical activities or not, and also preventing sarcopenia in elderly. Although the positive results, more studies are needed to shows the leucine benefits separately from the other BCAAs.

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Published
2012-01-11
How to Cite
Mata, G. R. da, & Navarro, F. (2012). The effect of leucine supplementation on muscular protein synthesis. RBNE - Brazilian Journal of Sports Nutrition, 3(17). Retrieved from https://www.rbne.com.br/index.php/rbne/article/view/136
Issue
Vol. 3 No. 17 (2009)
Section
Scientific Articles - Original

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