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Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2012; 54(1); 7; doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-54-7

Repeated post-exercise administration with a mixture of leucine and glucose alters the plasma amino acid profile in Standardbred trotters.

Abstract: The branched chain amino acid leucine is a potent stimulator of insulin secretion. Used in combination with glucose it can increase the insulin response and the post exercise re-synthesis of glycogen in man. Decreased plasma amino acid concentrations have been reported after intravenous or per oral administration of leucine in man as well as after a single per oral dose in horses. In man, a negative correlation between the insulin response and the concentrations of isoleucine, valine and methionine have been shown but results from horses are lacking. This study aims to determine the effect of repeated per oral administration with a mixture of glucose and leucine on the free amino acid profile and the insulin response in horses after glycogen-depleting exercise. Methods: In a crossover design, after a glycogen depleting exercise, twelve Standardbred trotters received either repeated oral boluses of glucose, 1 g/kg body weight (BW) at 0, 2 and 4 h with addition of leucine 0.1 g/kg BW at 0 and 4 h (GLU+LEU), or repeated boluses of water at 0, 2 and 4 h (CON). Blood samples for analysis of glucose, insulin and amino acid concentrations were collected prior to exercise and over a 6 h post-exercise period. A mixed model approach was used for the statistical analyses. Results: Plasma leucine, isoleucine, valine, tyrosine and phenylalanine concentrations increased after exercise. Post-exercise serum glucose and plasma insulin response were significantly higher in the GLU+LEU treatment compared to the CON treatment. Plasma leucine concentrations increased after supplementation. During the post-exercise period isoleucine, valine and methionine concentrations decreased in both treatments but were significantly lower in the GLU+LEU treatment. There was no correlation between the insulin response and the response in plasma leucine, isoleucine, valine and methionine. Conclusions: Repeated post-exercise administration with a mixture of leucine and glucose caused a marked insulin response and altered the plasma amino acid profile in horses in a similar manner as described in man. However, the decreases seen in plasma amino acids in horses seem to be related more to an effect of leucine and not to the insulin response as seen in man.
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Publication Date: 2012-02-01 PubMed ID: 22296999PubMed Central: PMC3292998DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-54-7Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates the impact of repeated administration of a mixture of leucine and glucose on the free amino acid profile and insulin response in horses following exercise. It concluded that the mixture causes a significant insulin response and changes the plasma amino acid profile in horses in a similar way to humans. However, the decline in plasma amino acids in horses appears to be more related to the effect of leucine than to the insulin response.

Objective of the Study

  • The key objective of this research is to determine the impact of regular oral administration of a glucose and leucine mix on the free amino acid profile and insulin response in horses after a glycogen-depleting workout.

Methodology

  • The study uses a conventional crossover design where twelve Standardbred trotters were subjected to glycogen-depleting exercise, and then they were either given repeated oral doses of glucose and leucine or repeated doses of water.
  • The glucose dosage was 1 g/kg body weight at intervals of 0, 2, and 4 hours with added leucine of 0.1 g/kg body weight at 0 and 4 hours (GLU+LEU), or water was given at similar intervals (CON).
  • Blood samples were taken from these horses before exercise and over a 6-hour post-exercise period in order to analyze the levels of glucose, insulin, and amino acids.
  • A mixed model approach was utilized for the statistical analyses of the results.

Results and Conclusion

  • Exercise caused an increase in the plasma concentrations of several amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine, valine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine.
  • The post-exercise serum glucose and plasma insulin response were significantly higher in the GLU+LEU treatment compared to the CON treatment indicating that the treatment did cause a marked insulin response.
  • Leucine supplementation led to increased plasma leucine concentrations.
  • There was a decrease in isoleucine, valine, and methionine concentrations in both treatments during the post-exercise period, but their concentrations were significantly lower in the GLU+LEU treatment.
  • The study concluded that repeated administration of a mixture of leucine and glucose post exercise triggered a significant insulin response and modified the plasma amino acid profile in horses in a similar manner as humans.
  • However, the decreases in plasma amino acids in horses seem to be related more to the effect of leucine and not to the insulin response as seen in humans.

Cite This Article

APA
Nostell KE, Essén-Gustavsson B, Bröjer JT. (2012). Repeated post-exercise administration with a mixture of leucine and glucose alters the plasma amino acid profile in Standardbred trotters. Acta Vet Scand, 54(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-54-7

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 1
Pages: 7

Researcher Affiliations

Nostell, Katarina E A
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. Katarina.Nostell@slu.se
Essén-Gustavsson, Birgitta
    Bröjer, Johan T

      MeSH Terms

      • Amino Acids / blood
      • Amino Acids / metabolism
      • Animal Feed
      • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
      • Animals
      • Blood Glucose / analysis
      • Cross-Over Studies
      • Dietary Supplements
      • Female
      • Glucose / administration & dosage
      • Horses / blood
      • Horses / physiology
      • Insulin / blood
      • Leucine / administration & dosage
      • Male
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 4 times.
      1. Graham-Thiers PM, Bowen LK. The effect of time of feeding on plasma amino acids during exercise and recovery in horses. Transl Anim Sci 2021 Apr;5(2):txab045.
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      4. 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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