The DOI matches its Crossref record; 50 of the 52 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The effectiveness of leucine on muscle protein synthesis, lean body mass and leg lean mass accretion in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the ability of leucine supplementation to increase the muscle protein fraction synthetic rate and to augment lean body mass or leg lean mass in elderly patients. A literature search was conducted on Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases up to 31 December 2013 for clinical trials that investigated the administration of leucine as a nutrient that affects muscle protein metabolism and muscle mass in elderly subjects. The included studies were randomised controlled trials. The primary outcome for the meta-analysis was the protein fractional synthetic rate. Secondary outcomes included lean body mass and leg lean mass. A total of nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that the muscle protein fractional synthetic rate after intervention significantly increased in the leucine group compared with the control group (pooled standardised difference in mean changes 1·08, 95 % CI 0·50, 1·67; P < 0·001). No difference was found between the groups in relation to lean body mass (pooled standardised difference in mean changes 0·18, 95 % CI − 0·18, 0·54; P = 0·318) or leg lean mass (pooled standardised difference in mean changes 0·006, 95 % CI − 0·32, 0·44; P = 0·756). These findings suggest that leucine supplementation is useful to address the age-related decline in muscle mass in elderly individuals, as it increases the muscle protein fractional synthetic rate.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“A meta-analysis of RCTs revealed a significant increase in the rate of muscle protein fractional synthesis with leucine supplementation in older adults.47”
From Nutritional and exercise interventions in individuals with sarcopenic obesity around retirement age: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2023) · cites this paper as [47]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
Meta-analysis in clinical trials
DerSimonian, R., & Laird, N. (1986) · Controlled Clinical Trials · doi:10.1016/0197-2456(86)90046-2 · Cited by 39,552
Quantifying heterogeneity in a meta‐analysis
Higgins, J. P. T., & Thompson, S. G. (2002) · Statistics in Medicine · doi:10.1002/sim.1186 · Cited by 36,763
Exercise training and nutritional supplementation for physical frailty in very elderly people
Fiatarone, M. A., O'Neill, E. F., Ryan, N. D., Clements, K. M., Solares, G. R., Nelson, M. E., Roberts, S. B., Kehayias, J. J., Lipsitz, L. A., & Evans, W. J. (1994) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejm199406233302501 · Cited by 2,857
Quantitative Synthesis in Systematic Reviews
Lau, J., Ioannidis, J. P. A., & Schmid, C. H. (1997) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-127-9-199711010-00008 · Cited by 2,517 · cited 1×
“Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed by calculating Cochran’s Q and the I 2 statistic((30,32)).”
MethodThe healthcare costs of sarcopenia in the United States
Janssen, I., Shepard, D. S., Katzmarzyk, P. T., & Roubenoff, R. (2004) · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52014.x · Cited by 1,546
Empirical assessment of effect of publication bias on meta-analyses
Sutton, A. J. (2000) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.320.7249.1574 · Cited by 1,398
Anabolic signaling deficits underlie amino acid resistance of wasting, aging muscle
Cuthbertson, D., Smith, K., Babraj, J., Leese, G., Waddell, T., Atherton, P., Wackerhage, H., Taylor, P. M., & Rennie, M. J. (2005) · The FASEB Journal · doi:10.1096/fj.04-2640fje · Cited by 1,211
Katsanos, C. S., Kobayashi, H., Sheffield-Moore, M., Aarsland, A., & Wolfe, R. R. (2006) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00488.2005 · Cited by 923
Decreased Muscle Strength and Quality in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Park, S. W., Goodpaster, B. H., Strotmeyer, E. S., de Rekeneire, N., Harris, T. B., Schwartz, A. V., Tylavsky, F. A., & Newman, A. B. (2006) · Diabetes · doi:10.2337/db05-1183 · Cited by 751
Tieland, M., Dirks, M. L., van der Zwaluw, N., Verdijk, L. B., van de Rest, O., de Groot, L. C. P. G. M., & van Loon, L. J. C. (2012) · Journal of the American Medical Directors Association · doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2012.05.020 · Cited by 556
Cited by
Sorted by citations
The Role of Inflammation in Age-Related Sarcopenia
Dalle, S., Rossmeislova, L., & Koppo, K. (2017) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2017.01045 · Cited by 668
“…demonstrated the beneficial effects of leucine supplementation on MPS in elderly (be it without changes in lean body mass or lean leg mass) (Xu et al., 2015), while other studies failed to show a consistent effect of protein/leucine supplementation on muscle mass, strength and/or function…”
ResultDoes nutrition play a role in the prevention and management of sarcopenia?
Robinson, S. M., Reginster, J. Y., Rizzoli, R., Shaw, S. C., Kanis, J. A., Bautmans, I., Bischoff-Ferrari, H., Bruyère, O., Cesari, M., Dawson-Hughes, B., et al. (2018) · Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2017.08.016 · Cited by 491
Nutrition and Sarcopenia—What Do We Know?
Ganapathy, A., & Nieves, J. W. (2020) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu12061755 · Cited by 355
“A systematic review and meta-analysis of leucine concluded that leucine increases muscle protein synthesis in older individuals, and may be of benefit to address age-related declines in muscle mass [27].”
BackgroundChen, L., Hsiao, F., Akishita, M., Assantachai, P., Lee, W., Lim, W. S., Muangpaisan, W., Kim, M., Merchant, R. A., Peng, L., et al. (2025) · Nature Aging · doi:10.1038/s43587-025-01004-y · Cited by 388
“Leucine has been particularly associated with higher muscle protein synthesis rates 60 .”
Gielen, E., Beckwée, D., Delaere, A., De Breucker, S., Vandewoude, M., Bautmans, I., the Sarcopenia Guidelines Development Group of the Belgian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (BSGG), Bautmans, I., Beaudart, C., Beckwée, D., et al. (2021) · Nutrition Reviews · doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuaa011 · Cited by 269
Pharmacotherapy of obesity: available medications and drugs under investigation.
Pilitsi, E., Farr, O. M., Polyzos, S. A., Perakakis, N., Nolen-Doerr, E., Papathanasiou, A.-E., & Mantzoros, C. S. (2019) · Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2018.10.010 · Cited by 248
Muscle loss: The new malnutrition challenge in clinical practice
Landi, F., Camprubi-Robles, M., Bear, D. E., Cederholm, T., Malafarina, V., Welch, A. A., & Cruz-Jentoft, A. J. (2019) · Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2018.11.021 · Cited by 235
Branched chain amino acids, aging and age-related health
Couteur, D. G. L., Solon‐Biet, S. M., Cogger, V. C., Ribeiro, R. V., de Cabo, R., Raubenheimer, D., Cooney, G. J., & Simpson, S. J. (2020) · Ageing Research Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.arr.2020.101198 · Cited by 237
Cereda, E., Pisati, R., Rondanelli, M., & Caccialanza, R. (2022) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu14071524 · Cited by 139
“Among the EAAs, leucine has proved to be a potent and independent modulator of protein turnover, particularly of protein anabolism [29,32].”
BackgroundTessier, A., & Chevalier, S. (2018) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu10081099 · Cited by 139
“(2015) included nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs), four testing acute post-challenge responses (three in healthy, one in cancer participants), and five longer-term, ranging from 10 days to six months (in participants who were either healthy, had type 2 diabetes, or had polymyalgia, and were on bed rest, or exer…”
BackgroundCruz-Jentoft, A. J., Dawson Hughes, B., Scott, D., Sanders, K. M., & Rizzoli, R. (2020) · Maturitas · doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.11.007 · Cited by 144
KEMMLER, W. K., Weißenfels, A., Teschler, M., Willert, S., Bebenek, M., Shojaa, M., Kohl, M., Freiberger, E., Sieber, C. C., & von Stengel, S. (2017) · Clinical Interventions in Aging · doi:10.2147/cia.s137987 · Cited by 123
“mentation on LBM in people aged about 65 years and older was determined.(41) In contrast, the meta-analysis (16 studies) of Komar et al,(38) which also focused on the effect of leucine”
ResultScott, D. S., Daly, R. M., Sanders, K. M., & Ebeling, P. R. (2015) · Current Osteoporosis Reports · doi:10.1007/s11914-015-0274-z · Cited by 124
Tagawa, R., Watanabe, D., Ito, K., Ueda, K., Nakayama, K., Sanbongi, C., & Miyachi, M. (2021) · Nutrition Reviews · doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuaa104 · Cited by 118
Potential Therapeutic Strategies for Skeletal Muscle Atrophy
Huang, L. T., Li, M., Deng, C., Qiu, J., Wang, K., Chang, M., Zhou, S., Gu, Y., Shen, Y., Wang, W., et al. (2022) · Antioxidants · doi:10.3390/antiox12010044 · Cited by 119
“Branched chain amino acids such as leucine can alleviate the loss of muscle mass [203].”
BackgroundKaspy, M. S., Hannaian, S. J., Bell, Z. W., & Churchward‐Venne, T. A. (2023) · Nutrition Research Reviews · doi:10.1017/s0954422423000197 · Cited by 117
“Readers specifically interested in the role of leucine as a nutrient regulator of mTOR signalling and skeletal muscle protein turnover can refer to recent reviews on the topic (15,16) .”
Tezze, C., Sandri, M., & Tessari, P. (2023) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu15184073 · Cited by 114
“Older subjects consuming a leucine supplement showed a greater increase in MPS rates from baseline than the controls, but not in lean body mass or muscle function [61].”
Backgroundde Sire, R., Rizzatti, G., Ingravalle, F., Pizzoferrato, M., Petito, V., Lopetuso, L. R., Graziani, C., Alessandro de, S. I. R. E., Mentella, M. C., Mele, M. C., et al. (2018) · Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica · doi:10.23736/s1121-421x.18.02511-4 · Cited by 93
Lichtenberg, T., von Stengel, S., Sieber, C. C., & KEMMLER, W. K. (2019) · Clinical Interventions in Aging · doi:10.2147/cia.s225618 · Cited by 102
Efficacy and Safety of Leucine Supplementation in the Elderly
Borack, M. S., & Volpi, E. (2016) · Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.3945/jn.116.230771 · Cited by 93
Protein Source and Muscle Health in Older Adults: A Literature Review
Putra, C., Konow, N., Gage, M. J., York, C., & Mangano, K. M. (2021) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu13030743 · Cited by 95
Supplements with purported effects on muscle mass and strength
Valenzuela, P. L., Morales, J. S., Emanuele, E., Pareja-Galeano, H., & Lucia, A. (2019) · European Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1007/s00394-018-1882-z · Cited by 85
Side Effects of Amino Acid Supplements
Holeček, M. (2022) · Physiological Research · doi:10.33549/physiolres.934790 · Cited by 83
Cheng, H., Kong, J., Underwood, C., Petocz, P., Hirani, V., Dawson, B., & O’Leary, F. (2018) · British Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s0007114517003816 · Cited by 72
“The result is consistent with recent reviews showing the short term impact of leucine on MPS but not longer term muscle mass or strength effects((86,87)).”
ResultBifari, F., Ruocco, C., Decimo, I., Fumagalli, G. F., Valerio, A., & Nisoli, E. (2017) · Genes & Nutrition · doi:10.1186/s12263-017-0582-2 · Cited by 70
Eglseer, D., Traxler, M., Schoufour, J. D., Weijs, P. J. M., Voortman, T., Boirie, Y., Cruz-Jentoft, A. J., Reiter, L., Bauer, S., for the SO-NUTS Consortium, et al. (2023) · Nutrition Reviews · doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuad007 · Cited by 68
“A meta-analysis of RCTs revealed a significant increase in the rate of muscle protein fractional synthesis with leucine supplementation in older adults.(47) Another meta-analysis reported muscle mass gain in persons 65 years or older who received supplementation with b-hydroxy-b-methylbutyrate (a metabolite of leucine…”
BackgroundEffects of enriched branched-chain amino acid supplementation on sarcopenia
Ko, C.-H., Wu, S., Wang, S., Chang, Y., Chang, C., Kuan, T., Chuang, H.-Y., Chang, C., Chou, W., & Wu, C. (2020) · Aging · doi:10.18632/aging.103576 · Cited by 70
“Other studies [34, 35] have also reported that leucine supplements helped slow agerelated muscle mass reductions in the elderly.”
BackgroundKEMMLER, W. K., Kohl, M., Freiberger, E., Sieber, C. C., & von Stengel, S. (2018) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-018-0759-6 · Cited by 68
Damanti, S., Azzolino, D., Roncaglione, C., Arosio, B., Rossi, P. D., & Cesari, M. (2019) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu11091991 · Cited by 72
“A recent meta-analysis has confirmed that leucine is able to increase muscle protein synthesis in older people [89] and its consumption has been found to be directly correlated with muscle mass retention in healthy older people [90].”
BackgroundWolffia globosa-Based Nutritious Snack Formulation with High Protein and Dietary Fiber Contents
On‐Nom, N., Promdang, P., Inthachat, W., Kanoongon, P., Sahasakul, Y., Chupeerach, C., Suttisansanee, U., & Temviriyanukul, P. (2023) · Foods · doi:10.3390/foods12142647 · Cited by 64
“Many studies have reported the positive effect of leucine on protein synthesis [57,58].”
BackgroundSestrins in Physiological Stress Responses
Kim, M., Kowalsky, A. H., & Lee, J. H. (2020) · Annual Review of Physiology · doi:10.1146/annurev-physiol-031620-092317 · Cited by 66
Uremic Sarcopenia: Clinical Evidence and Basic Experimental Approach
Nishi, H., Takemura, K., Higashihara, T., & Inagi, R. (2020) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu12061814 · Cited by 64
Chang, K. C., Wu, W., Chen, Y., Chen, L.-R., Hsu, W., Lin, Y., & Han, D. (2023) · Aging · doi:10.18632/aging.205254 · Cited by 65
“For example, a systematic review and meta-analysis have indicated that leucine supplementation, a branch-chain amino acid, can enhance muscle protein synthesis in older individuals and counteract age-related declines in muscle mass [17].”
BackgroundBo, T., & Fujii, J. (2024) · Molecules · doi:10.3390/molecules30010056 · Cited by 70
“BCAAs are decreased in the sarcopenic population [144,145], and while the supplementation of BCAAs likely alleviates this symptom, other studies have reported opposite results [146–149].”
The role and therapeutic potential of stem cells in skeletal muscle in sarcopenia
Cai, Z., Liu, D., Yang, Y., Xie, W., He, M., Yu, D., Wu, Y., Wang, X., Xiao, W., & Li, Y. (2022) · Stem Cell Research & Therapy · doi:10.1186/s13287-022-02706-5 · Cited by 58
Self-citationRondanelli, M., Nichetti, M., Peroni, G., Faliva, M. A., Naso, M., Gasparri, C., Perna, S., Oberto, L., Paolo, E. D., Riva, A., et al. (2021) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2020.622391 · Cited by 60
Sarcopenia: Molecular regulatory network for loss of muscle mass and function
Wu, J., Ding, P., Wu, H., Yang, P., Guo, H., Tian, Y., Meng, L., & Zhao, Q. (2023) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1037200 · Cited by 55
Maykish, A., & Sikalidis, A. K. (2020) · Journal of Personalized Medicine · doi:10.3390/jpm10010019 · Cited by 50
“When mixtures containing essential, semi-essential and branched chain amino acids are used, blood plasma amino acid levels increase (especially Leu), while 3-methylhistidine and cortisol are decreased [43].”
BackgroundInfluentiall-Carnitine Supplementation in Older Women. A Pilot Study on Aging Skeletal Muscle Mass and Function
Sawicka, A., Hartmane, D., Lipinska, P., Wojtowicz, E., Lysiak-Szydlowska, W., & Olek, R. (2018) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu10020255 · Cited by 49
“Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that other supplements affect sarcopenia by their own properties; creatine delays muscle atrophy and improves strength in aging [55], L-leucine increases the muscle protein fractional synthesis rate in the elderly individuals [56], and vitamin D improves muscle strength in people ≥ 65…”
BackgroundGuo, Y., Fu, X., Hu, Q., Chen, L., & Zuo, H. (2022) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.929891 · Cited by 51
Skeletal muscle dysfunction with advancing age
Pabla, P., Jones, E. J., Piasecki, M., & Phillips, B. E. (2024) · Clinical Science · doi:10.1042/cs20231197 · Cited by 50
“It is one of these EAA, leucine, that is recognised as the most potent dietary stimulator of MPS [208,209] via stimulation of the mTOR signalling cascade [202], and as such is often suggested as a key nutritional strategy to maintain muscle mass in advancing age.”
BackgroundCoelho‐Júnior, H. J., Calvani, R., Picca, A., Gonçalves, I. O., Landi, F., Bernabei, R., Cesari, M., Uchida, M. C., & Marzetti, E. (2020) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu12020508 · Cited by 38
“The impact of dietary protein on frailty is believed to be mainly related to the action of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) on skeletal muscle [29].”
BackgroundInfluentialDijk, F. J., van Dijk, M., Walrand, S., van Loon, L. J. C., van Norren, K., & Luiking, Y. C. (2018) · Clinical Nutrition ESPEN · doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2017.12.013 · Cited by 35
Camajani, E., Persichetti, A., Watanabe, M., Contini, S., Vari, M., Di Bernardo, S., Faro, M., Lubrano, C., Gnessi, L., Caprio, M., et al. (2022) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu14091884 · Cited by 34
“confirmed the efficacy of leucine on muscle protein synthesis, lean body mass and leg lean mass in older people [23].”
BackgroundPreclinical insights into the gut‐skeletal muscle axis in chronic gastrointestinal diseases
Ehlers, L., Bannert, K., Rohde, S., Berlin, P., Reiner, J., Wiese, M. L., Doller, J., Lerch, M. M., Aghdassi, A. A., Meyer, F., et al. (2020) · Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine · doi:10.1111/jcmm.15554 · Cited by 33
Determination of the safety of leucine supplementation in healthy elderly men
Rasmussen, B., Gilbert, E., Turki, A., Madden, K. M., & Elango, R. (2016) · Amino Acids · doi:10.1007/s00726-016-2241-0 · Cited by 30
Metabolomics in aging research: aging markers from organs
Fang, W., Chen, S., Jin, X., Liu, S., Cao, X., & Liu, B. (2023) · Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology · doi:10.3389/fcell.2023.1198794 · Cited by 30
Muscle endocrinology and its relation with nutrition
Romagnoli, C., Pampaloni, B., & Brandi, M. L. (2019) · Aging Clinical and Experimental Research · doi:10.1007/s40520-019-01188-5 · Cited by 30
Protein and amino acids for skeletal muscle health in aging
Thalacker‐Mercer, A. E., Riddle, E. S., & Barré, L. K. (2020) · Advances in food and nutrition research · doi:10.1016/bs.afnr.2019.08.002 · Cited by 27
Sarcopenia in the Cirrhotic Patient: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
Warner, E. R., & Satapathy, S. K. (2022) · Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology · doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2022.06.005 · Cited by 29
Navigating the Intersection: Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Calvez, V., Becherucci, G., Covello, C., Piccirilli, G., Mignini, I., Esposto, G., Laterza, L., Ainora, M. E., Scaldaferri, F., Gasbarrini, A., et al. (2024) · Biomedicines · doi:10.3390/biomedicines12061218 · Cited by 31
Kang, M., Kang, M., Yoo, J., Lee, J., Lee, S., Yun, B., Song, M., Kim, J., Kim, H., Yang, J., et al. (2024) · Food & Function · doi:10.1039/d3fo05420a · Cited by 26
Nutrition in Physical Therapist Practice: Setting the Stage for Taking Action
Berner, P., Bezner, J. R., Morris, D. M., & Lein, D. H. (2021) · Physical Therapy · doi:10.1093/ptj/pzab062 · Cited by 24
Pikosky, M. A., Cifelli, C. J., Agarwal, S., & Fulgoni, V. L. I. (2022) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.873512 · Cited by 24
Abiri, B., Hosseinpanah, F., Seifi, Z., Amini, S., & Valizadeh, M. (2023) · The journal of nutrition health & aging · doi:10.1007/s12603-023-1986-x · Cited by 28
“In another meta-analysis (40) by the same research group, a low effect (0.18; -0.18 to 0.54 kg) of leucine supplementation on LBM in people aged approximately 65 years and older was observed.”
MethodInfluentialProtein and Peptides for Elderly Health
Shang, N., Chalamaiah, M., Bandara, N., & Wu, J. (2018) · Advances in protein chemistry and structural biology · doi:10.1016/bs.apcsb.2018.03.003 · Cited by 24
Safety and Tolerability of Leucine Supplementation in Elderly Men
Elango, R., Rasmussen, B., & Madden, K. M. (2016) · Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.3945/jn.116.234930 · Cited by 23
Molecular mechanisms and potential interventions during aging-associated sarcopenia
Luo, X., Wang, J., Ju, Q., Li, T., & Bi, X. (2024) · Mechanisms of Ageing and Development · doi:10.1016/j.mad.2024.112020 · Cited by 23
KEMMLER, W. K., Schoene, D., Kohl, M., & von Stengel, S. (2021) · Clinical Interventions in Aging · doi:10.2147/cia.s299867 · Cited by 25
Leucine and Glutamic Acid as a Biomarker of Sarcopenic Risk in Japanese People with Type 2 Diabetes
Nakajima, H., Okada, H., Kobayashi, A., Takahashi, F., Okamura, T., Hashimoto, Y., Nakanishi, N., Senmaru, T., Ushigome, E., Hamaguchi, M., et al. (2023) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu15102400 · Cited by 21
Matsuda, T., Suzuki, H., Sugano, Y., Suzuki, Y., Yamanaka, D., Araki, R., Yahagi, N., Sekiya, M., Kawakami, Y., Osaki, Y., et al. (2022) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu14193917 · Cited by 22
“In fact, a meta-analysis demonstrated that leucine supplementation significantly increased myofibrillar protein synthesis compared when with placebo [16,17].”
BackgroundThe nutritional support to prevent sarcopenia in the elderly
Giacosa, A., Barrile, G. C., Mansueto, F., & Rondanelli, M. (2024) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1379814 · Cited by 22
Houchins, J. A., Cifelli, C. J., Demmer, E., & Fulgoni, V. L. I. (2016) · The journal of nutrition health & aging · doi:10.1007/s12603-016-0819-6 · Cited by 21
“It is hypothesized that stimulation of muscle protein synthesis at each meal may be beneficial for maintenance of muscle mass (48), however, more data are needed to demonstrate improved lean body mass due to increased muscle protein synthesis in older males and females (49, 50).”
A role for nutritional intervention in addressing the aging neuromuscular junction
Kougias, D. G., Das, T., Perez, A. B., & Pereira, S. L. (2018) · Nutrition Research · doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2018.02.006 · Cited by 22
Kim, D., Morikawa, S., Miyawaki, M., Nakagawa, T., Ogawa, S., & Kase, Y. (2025) · Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia · doi:10.1016/j.afos.2025.05.005 · Cited by 30
“A separate meta-analysis by Xu et al. [36], which focused specifically on leucine supplementation, analyzed data from 16 randomized controlled trials involving 999 older adults.”
Fu, Z., Wang, Y., Zhao, L., Li, Y., & Song, Q. (2025) · Aging Clinical and Experimental Research · doi:10.1007/s40520-024-02920-6 · Cited by 18
Jin, S. W., Lee, G. H., Kim, J. Y., Kim, C. Y., Choo, Y. M., Cho, W., Han, E. H., Hwang, Y. P., Kim, Y.-A., & Jeong, H. G. (2022) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms23031229 · Cited by 18
Butterworth, M., Lees, M. J., Harlow, P., Hind, K., Duckworth, L. C., & Ispoglou, T. (2019) · Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism · doi:10.1139/apnm-2018-0650 · Cited by 17
“higher leucine content) for older people (Katsanos et al. 2006; Xu et al. 2015; Murphy et al. 2016; Phillips 2016).”
BackgroundChae, M., Park, H. S., & Park, K. (2021) · Nutrition Research and Practice · doi:10.4162/nrp.2021.15.2.203 · Cited by 16
“BCAA and leucine have also been reported to increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in the mitochondria [34], thereby promoting muscle protein synthesis [9].”
BackgroundCornelissen, V., Hanssen, H., Hurst, C., Knaier, R., Marqués‐Sulé, E., Moholdt, T. T., Neunhäeuserer, D., Norman, K., Pedretti, R. F. E., Salzwedel, A., et al. (2025) · European Journal of Preventive Cardiology · doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf432 · Cited by 14
Patel, B., Pauk, M., Amigo‐Benavent, M., Nongonierma, A. B., Fitzgerald, R. J., Jakeman, P. M., & Carson, B. P. (2019) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0220757 · Cited by 15
Genton, L., Teta, D., Pruijm, M. T., Stoermann, C., Marangon, N., Mareschal, J., Bassi, I., Wurzner‐Ghajarzadeh, A., Lazarević, V., Cynober, L., et al. (2021) · Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle · doi:10.1002/jcsm.12780 · Cited by 14
Mocini, E., Piciocchi, C., Defeudis, G., & Migliaccio, S. (2025) · Gerontology · doi:10.1159/000546501 · Cited by 19
“Moreover, targeted supplementation might be particularly beneficial for individuals who are unable to consume adequate protein through diet alone [24].”
Zhang, Y., Rao, S., Zhang, X., Peng, Z., Song, W., Xie, S., Cao, H., Zhang, Z., & Yang, W. (2024) · Nutrition Research · doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2024.06.009 · Cited by 12
Leucine Intake and Risk of Impaired Physical Function and Frailty in Older Adults
Vega-Cabello, V., Caballero, F. F., Rodríguez‐Artalejo, F., López‐García, E., & Struijk, E. A. (2022) · The Journals of Gerontology Series A · doi:10.1093/gerona/glac191 · Cited by 13
Chung, W. H., Coorey, R., Takechi, R., & Howieson, J. (2023) · LWT · doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2023.115590 · Cited by 11
Amaral, A. R., Finardi, G. L. F., Marchi, P. H., de Oliveira, N. M. C., Príncipe, L. D. A., Teixeira, N., Pappalardo, M. C. F., Lima, L. O. C., Cirillo, J. V., Balieiro, J. C. D. C., et al. (2025) · Frontiers in Veterinary Science · doi:10.3389/fvets.2024.1490290 · Cited by 13
Liao, Y., Li, D., Zhou, X., Peng, Z., Meng, Z., Liu, R. R., & Yang, W. Q. (2021) · Frontiers in Medicine · doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.755803 · Cited by 10
Protein: what’s on in research on clinical nutrition
Tomé, D. (2018) · European Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1038/s41430-018-0240-9 · Cited by 11
Mai, K., Cando, P., & Trasino, S. E. (2021) · Journal of Medicinal Food · doi:10.1089/jmf.2021.0094 · Cited by 8
“6 A body of evidence suggests that the proteogenic amino acid leucine can strongly stimulate muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in older adult, 7–10 and thus is now considered a key amino acid in the medical management of sarcopenia.”
Rozga, M., Jones, K., Robinson, J., & Yahiro, A. M. (2021) · Public Health Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s1368980021002184 · Cited by 8
Enhancement of amino acid contents by germination in a Korean weedy rice germplasm
Cho, E. E., & Chung, N.-J. (2020) · Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology · doi:10.1007/s12892-020-00046-5 · Cited by 7
Park, S., Nam, C. H., Ahn, H. S., & Kim, T. H. (2024) · Medicine · doi:10.1097/md.0000000000038168 · Cited by 6
“[6] Aquatic exercise, [7] various forms of physiotherapy, [8,9] diet change for weight loss, [10,11] glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate [12,13] are frequently prescribed by primary physicians.”
BackgroundEglseer, D., Traxler, M., & Bauer, S. (2022) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu14214684 · Cited by 7
“They additionally have a high leucine content which is known to increase muscle protein synthesis [23,24].”
BackgroundChang, L. I. U., Huang, J., Hu, Y., & Wu, X. (2022) · Food Science and Technology · doi:10.1590/fst.84722 · Cited by 6
Jin, S. W., Lee, G. H., Kim, J. Y., Kim, C. Y., Choo, Y. M., Cho, W., Choi, J. H., Han, E. H., Hwang, Y. P., & Jeong, H. G. (2021) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app12010017 · Cited by 5
Bollinger, L. M., Campbell, M. S., & Brault, J. J. (2017) · Nutrition · doi:10.1016/j.nut.2017.07.017 · Cited by 6
Ely, I. A., Paul, M., Wall, J. J. S., Cox, J., Larsen, M. S., Scaife, P. J., Lund, J. N., Breen, L., Wilkinson, D. J., Smith, K., et al. (2025) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu17213410 · Cited by 5
“Despite this, peak plasma LEU concentrations and postprandial rates of MPS have been correlated in cohorts of young [30,31] and older men [32,33], which to our knowledge, is undetermined in women.”
The hallmarks of protein and amino acid restriction in aging and longevity
Knopf, B. A., & Lamming, D. W. (2026) · Cell Press Blue · doi:10.1016/j.cpblue.2026.100079 · Cited by 4
“229,230 Leucine supplementation decreases body fat in aging rats, 231 consistent with our finding that leucine restriction in mice increases body weight, adiposity, and fat mass. 34 However, some groups have reported the opposite, finding that leucine restriction is effective at reducing fat mass…”
Potential Benefits of Medical Nutrition Therapy for Timely Ventilator Weaning in the Critically Ill
Rosa, S. D., Rauseo, M., Umbrello, M., Lassola, S., & Battaglini, D. (2025) · Anesthesiology · doi:10.1097/aln.0000000000005557 · Cited by 6
The efficacy of nutritional support and its role in the treatment of persons with sarcopenia
Pleshchev, I. E., Nikolenko, V. N., Ачкасов, Е. Е., Николаевич, Ш. А., Skobeleva, T. N., Birg, A. B., Zhang, X., & Grekov, D. A. (2023) · Patient-Oriented Medicine and Pharmacy · doi:10.37489/2949-1924-0003 · Cited by 5
van den Borne, J. J., Kudla, U., & Geurts, J. M. W. (2016) · Current Opinion in Food Science · doi:10.1016/j.cofs.2016.08.006 · Cited by 4
Jami‐Alahmadi, Y., Linford, B. D., & Fridgen, T. D. (2016) · The Journal of Physical Chemistry B · doi:10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b09588 · Cited by 4
Azevedo, P. Z., Rigolon, T. C. B., de Souza, B. R., Stringheta, P. C., Martins, E., & Campelo, P. H. (2025) · OBSERVATÓRIO DE LA ECONOMÍA LATINOAMERICANA · doi:10.55905/oelv23n6-098 · Cited by 5
Blachier, F. (2026) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu18020296 · Cited by 5
“The exhaustive mention of all the randomized controlled studies dealing with leucine supplementation in the elderly in different experimental contexts is outside the scope of this review, and readers are referred to excellent reviews on that topic [74–79].”
Yang, H.-X., Wang, B., Wang, Q., Zhao, J.-N., Liu, F.-F., Xie, X., Xu, F.-Q., & Zhang, P. (2026) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-026-07111-8 · Cited by 2
Li, J., Chen, H., Zhou, Y., Sun, L., Xing, Y., Sun, Y., Yang, Y., & Shi, Y. (2026) · Frontiers in Immunology · doi:10.3389/fimmu.2026.1778455 · Cited by 3
Self-citationSarcopenia as a severe organ failure, its diagnosing and present therapeutic possibilities
Topinková, E. (2018) · Vnitřní lékařství · doi:10.36290/vnl.2018.149 · Cited by 3
Aragón-Espinosa, P., Pérez, C., Bompart, C., Gueugneau, M., Capel, F., Arbonés-Mainar, J. M., Gómez-Zorita, S., Mas‐Capdevila, A., Escoté, X., Pinent, M., et al. (2026) · Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry · doi:10.1007/s13105-026-01154-6 · Cited by 2
“In vulnerable populations such as older adults with sarcopenia, it has been suggested that increasing leucine intake may compensate for the blunted muscle PS to anabolic signals and the age-related decline in muscle mass [91 ].”
Andrade, M. F., de Castro, G. S., Gomes, S. P., de Carvalho, M., de Resende, J. C. F., Pires, I. S. O., Faiad, J. Z., Barrére, A. P. N., Venturini, A. L. C., de Souza, R. M., et al. (2026) · Clinical Nutrition ESPEN · doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2026.103100 · Cited by 2
Metadata
- Authors
- Xu, Z.-R., Tan, Z.-J., Zhang, Q., Gui, Q.-F., & Yang, Y.-M.
- Affiliations
- First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University (CN)
- ORCID
- Zhang, Qin
- Venue
- British Journal of Nutrition
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2014-09-19
- Volume
- 113
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 25-34
- ISSN
- 0007-1145 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-2662
- OpenAlex
- W2161210071
- Cited by
- 136
- References
- 52
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 0.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- British Journal Of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Science and Technology Program of Zhejiang Province
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
- Keywords
- leucine supplementation, muscle protein synthesis, fractional synthesis rate, lean body mass, leg lean mass, sarcopenia, older adults, age-related muscle loss, muscle protein metabolism
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Body Composition, Humans, Leg, Leucine, Muscle Proteins, Body Mass Index, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Databases, Factual, Muscle, Skeletal, Dietary Supplements
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
