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Blood serum branched chain amino acids and tryptophan modifications in horses competing in long-distance rides of different length.
Abstract: During long-distance exercise, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism could lead to an increase in the blood tryptophan/BCAA ratio and an early onset of 'central fatigue'. Based on these considerations, we studied the modifications of blood serum BCAA and tryptophan (Try) levels in 30 endurance horses competing in rides varying in distance from 20 to 72 km. From all horses, blood samples were drawn just before and just after the end of the ride. Samples were analysed for their leucine (Leu), valine (Val), isoleucine (Iso) and Try levels. Data were processed by anova, using sampling moment and ride as factors, and by LSD post hoc test. Significant differences were recorded among the different distance rides for Leu, Val, Iso, Try, Try/BCAA ratio; the same trend was recorded between samples taken at the start and the end of the race for Val and Leu. The main effect observed was an increase of BCAA levels for all rides, except the 72-km ride; for Try, a significant increase was present in all races, except the 50-km ride. The Try/BCAA ratio decreased in 20- and 50-km races and increased in the others. These data confirm that long-distance exercise involves a mobilization of BCAA. The utilization of BCAA seems to be important in prolonged exercise: in the 72-km ride, we observed a decrease in BCAA blood serum levels, while a major role of Try was indicated by its increase, resulting in a rise of the Try/BCAA ratio.
Publication Date: 2004-04-03 PubMed ID: 15059243DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2004.00493.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research studied changes in blood levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and tryptophan in endurance horses engaging in various lengths of long-distance rides. It found that these changes, especially the rise in tryptophan and fall in BCAA levels in the most extended ride, suggest the significance of these substances in energy utilization during prolonged exercise.
Research Methods
- The research involved 30 endurance horses that participated in rides of different distances – from 20 to 72 km.
- Blood samples were taken from all horses before and after the completion of each ride.
- The collected blood samples were analyzed for levels of leucine, valine, isoleucine (all being BCAAs), and tryptophan.
- Data obtained was processed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA), treating the sampling moment and the ride’s length as factors, with a further application of the LSD post hoc test.
Research Findings
- A significant variation was recorded for blood levels of leucine, valine, isoleucine, tryptophan and the tryptophan/BCAA ratio among the different distance rides.
- Similar trends were noted between start and end of the race for valine and leucine blood levels.
- BCAA levels increased for all distances, excluding the 72-km ride; for tryptophan, a significant increase was observed in all the races, except the 50-km ride.
- The ratio of tryptophan to BCAA decreased after 20- and 50-km races but increased after the other rides.
Conclusion
- The research established that long-distance exercise results in mobilization of BCAA.
- The significance of BCAA utilization in prolonged exercise was noted when the 72-km ride resulted in a decrease in BCAA blood levels.
- Tryptophan’s major role in energy synthesis during extended exercise was underlined by the increased blood levels, leading to a rise in the tryptophan/BCAA ratio.
Cite This Article
APA
Assenza A, Bergero D, Tarantola M, Piccione G, Caola G.
(2004).
Blood serum branched chain amino acids and tryptophan modifications in horses competing in long-distance rides of different length.
J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 88(3-4), 172-177.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2004.00493.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Dipartimento di Morfologia, Biochimica, Fisiologia e Produzioni Animali, Università di Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / blood
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Horses / blood
- Horses / physiology
- Isoleucine / blood
- Leucine / blood
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Physical Endurance / physiology
- Sports
- Tryptophan / blood
- Valine / blood
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Chang TC, Chen WC, Huang CW, Lin LC, Lin JS, Cheng FY. Anti-fatigue activity of dripped spent hens chicken essence in ICR mice. Anim Biosci 2023 Feb;36(2):307-314.
- Park JW, Kim KH, Kim S, So JR, Cho BW, Song KD. Comparative metabolomic analysis in horses and functional analysis of branched chain (alpha) keto acid dehydrogenase complex in equine myoblasts under exercise stress. J Anim Sci Technol 2022 Jul;64(4):800-811.
- Baakhtari M, Imaizumi N, Kida T, Yanagita T, Ramah A, Ahmadi P, Takebe N, Iwamoto Y, Korosue K, Tsuzuki N, Yasuda M. Effects of branched-chain amino acids on immune status of young racing horses. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Apr 15;84(4):558-565.
- de Meeûs d'Argenteuil C, Boshuizen B, Oosterlinck M, van de Winkel D, De Spiegelaere W, de Bruijn CM, Goethals K, Vanderperren K, Delesalle CJG. Flexibility of equine bioenergetics and muscle plasticity in response to different types of training: An integrative approach, questioning existing paradigms. PLoS One 2021;16(4):e0249922.
- Jeong H, Kim JM, Kim B, Nam JO, Hahn D, Choi MB. Nutritional Value of the Larvae of the Alien Invasive Wasp Vespa velutina nigrithorax and Amino Acid Composition of the Larval Saliva. Foods 2020 Jul 6;9(7).
- Areces F, González-Millán C, Salinero JJ, Abian-Vicen J, Lara B, Gallo-Salazar C, Ruiz-Vicente D, Del Coso J. Changes in Serum Free Amino Acids and Muscle Fatigue Experienced during a Half-Ironman Triathlon. PLoS One 2015;10(9):e0138376.
- Chen W, Gao R, Xie X, Zheng Z, Li H, Li S, Dong F, Wang L. A metabolomic study of the PPARδ agonist GW501516 for enhancing running endurance in Kunming mice. Sci Rep 2015 May 6;5:9884.
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- Le Moyec L, Robert C, Triba MN, Billat VL, Mata X, Schibler L, Barrey E. Protein catabolism and high lipid metabolism associated with long-distance exercise are revealed by plasma NMR metabolomics in endurance horses. PLoS One 2014;9(3):e90730.
- Kinnunen S, Atalay M, Hyyppä S, Lehmuskero A, Hänninen O, Oksala N. Effects of prolonged exercise on oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in endurance horse. J Sports Sci Med 2005 Dec;4(4):415-21.
- Reemtsma FP, Giers J, Horstmann S, Stoeckle SD, Gehlen H. Evaluation of Concentration Changes in Plasma Amino Acids and Their Metabolites in Eventing Horses During Cross-Country Competitions as Potential Performance Predictors. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 17;15(24).
- Reemtsma FP, Giers J, Horstmann S, Stoeckle SD, Gehlen H. Concentration Changes in Plasma Amino Acids and Their Metabolites in Eventing Horses During Cross-Country Competitions. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 22;15(13).
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