Keto analogue and amino acid supplementation affects the ammonemia response during exercise under ketogenic conditions

• Published in: British journal of nutrition 2011-06, Vol.105 (12), p.1729
• Main Authors: Prado, Eduardo Seixas, de Rezende Neto, José Melquiades, de Almeida, Rosemeire Dantas, Dória de Melo, Marcelia Garcez, Cameron, Luiz-Claudio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino acids; Ammonia; Athletes; Dietary supplements; Exercise
• ISSN: 0007-1145; 1475-2662
• DOI: 10.1017/S000711451000557X

Hyperammonemia is related to both central and peripheral fatigue during exercise. Hyperammonemia in response to exercise can be reduced through supplementation with either amino acids or combined keto analogues and amino acids (KAAA). In the present study, we determined the effect of short-term KAAA supplementation on ammonia production in subjects eating a low-carbohydrate diet who exercise. A total of thirteen male cyclists eating a ketogenic diet for 3 d were divided into two groups receiving either KAAA (KEx) or lactose (control group; LEx) supplements. Athletes cycled indoors for 2 h, and blood samples were obtained at rest, during exercise and over the course of 1 h during the recovery period. Exercise-induced ammonemia increased to a maximum of 35 % in the control group, but no significant increase was observed in the supplemented group. Both groups had a significant increase (approximately 35 %) in uremia in response to exercise. The resting urate levels of the two groups were equivalent and remained statistically unchanged in the KEx group after 90 min of exercise; an earlier increase was observed in the LEx group. Glucose levels did not change, either during the trial time or between the groups. An increase in lactate levels was observed during the first 30 min of exercise in both groups, but there was no difference between the groups. The present results suggest that the acute use of KAAA diminishes exercise-induced hyperammonemia. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]