Effects of Whey Protein Hydrolysate Ingestion on Postprandial Aminoacidemia Compared with a Free Amino Acid Mixture in Young Men

Nutrients. 2018 Apr 19;10(4):507. doi: 10.3390/nu10040507.

Abstract

To stimulate muscle protein synthesis, it is important to increase the plasma levels of essential amino acids (EAA), especially leucine, by ingesting proteins. Protein hydrolysate ingestion can induce postprandial hyperaminoacidemia; however, it is unclear whether protein hydrolysate is associated with higher levels of aminoacidemia compared with a free amino acid mixture when both are ingested orally. We assessed the effects of whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) ingestion on postprandial aminoacidemia, especially plasma leucine levels, compared to ingestion of a free amino acid mixture. This study was an open-label, randomized, 4 × 4 Latin square design. After 12⁻15 h of fasting, 11 healthy young men ingested the WPH (3.3, 5.0, or 7.5 g of protein) or the EAA mixture (2.5 g). Blood samples were collected before ingestion and at time points from 10 to 120 min after ingestion, and amino acids, insulin, glucose and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations in plasma were measured. Even though the EAA mixture and 5.0 g of the WPH contained similar amounts of EAA and leucine, the WPH was associated with significantly higher plasma EAA and leucine levels. These results suggest that the WPH can induce a higher level of aminoacidemia compared with a free amino acid mixture when both are ingested orally.

Keywords: aminoacidemia; essential amino acids; leucine; muscle protein synthesis; whey protein hydrolysate.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amino Acids / administration & dosage*
  • Amino Acids / blood*
  • Amino Acids / pharmacokinetics
  • Blood Glucose
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydrolysis
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / genetics
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Male
  • Postprandial Period*
  • Whey Proteins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Blood Glucose
  • IGF1 protein, human
  • Insulin
  • Whey Proteins
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I