Eicosapentaenoic acid and branched-chain amino acids fortified complete nutrition drink improved muscle strength in older individuals with inadequate protein intake
Open accessAbstract
Background: Elevated inflammation and negative nutritional balance contribute to sarcopenia, a progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. This study investigated the effect of energy supplementation and the combination of anti-inflammatory factor (eicosapentaenoic acid; EPA) and muscle-synthesis promotor (branched-chain amino acids; BCAA) on body composition, muscle, and inflammatory biomarkers in elderly with inadequate protein intake. Methods: A randomized blinded placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 84 elderly with inadequate protein intake. The participants were randomly assigned into four groups receiving a complete nutrition drink; (1) control formula, (2) fortified with 2.2 g EPA, (3) with 2.2 g EPA and 5 g BCAA (2:1:1 of Leu: Ile: Val), and (4) with 2.2 g EPA plus 5g BCAA (4:1:1 of Leu: Ile: Val). Each subject consumed two sachets of the drink to gain 500 kcal/day and performed arm muscle exercises for 3 weeks. Body compositions and handgrip strength were measured using BIA and a dynamometer, respectively. Plasma EPA and BCAA levels were determined using LC-MS/MS to ensure compliance. Muscle protein biomarkers including histidine, β-alanine, and carnosine were measured using LC-MS/MS. Serum inflammatory (IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) were measured by using ELISA. Results: < 0.01, respectively. Consistently, consuming such combinatory formula non-significantly elevated carnosine with reduced histidine, and increased IL-10 with decreased IL-6. All relevant intervention groups showed a significant increase in plasma levels of BCAA and EPA. Conclusion: Consuming a complete nutrition drink fortified with 2.2g EPA and 5g BCAA 2:1:1 or 4:1:1 of Leu: Ile: Val for 3 weeks may increase right arm muscle mass and strength in elderly with inadequate protein intake. The tendency of increased dipeptide (carnosine)/decreased free amino acid (histidine) suggests a shift toward muscle protein synthesis. The trend of decreased inflammatory/increased anti-inflammatory cytokines suggests an anti-inflammatory effect. Future long-term studies are warranted to confirm the combinatory effect of BCAA and EPA in the prevention of sarcopenia. Clinical trial registration: Thailand Clinical Trial Registry No. TCTR20230116005.
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Consuming a complete nutrition drink fortified with 2.2 g eicosapentaenoic acid and 5 g branched-chain amino acids for 3 weeks increased right arm muscle mass and strength in 84 elderly individuals with inadequate protein intake.
“Furthermore, a randomized blinded placebo-controlled trial showed that consuming a complete nutrition drink fortified with 2.2 g eicosapentaenoic acid and 5 g branched-chain amino acids for 3 weeks increased right arm muscle mass and strength in 84 elderly individuals with inadequate protein intake.81”
From Changes in lean body mass with <scp>glucagon‐like peptide</scp> ‐1‐based therapies and mitigation strategies (2024) · cites this paper as [81]
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- Authors
- Khoonin, W., Shantavasinkul, P. C., Santivarangkna, C., Praengam, K., & Trachootham, D.
- Affiliations
- Mahidol University (TH)
- Corresponding author
- Trachootham, Dunyaporn
- ORCID
- Venue
- Frontiers in Nutrition
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2023-06-30
- Volume
- 10
- Pages
- 1164469-1164469
- ISSN
- 2296-861X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC10349202
- OpenAlex
- W4382653212
- Cited by
- 7
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2025: 6 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 1.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Frontiers in Nutrition (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Greater South Information System
- Funders
- Thailand Science Research and Innovation (PHD62I0005)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
- Keywords
- eicosapentaenoic acid, branched-chain amino acids, sarcopenia, older adults, energy supplementation, muscle strength, grip strength, muscle protein synthesis, carnosine, histidine, interleukin-6, IL-10, anti-inflammatory activity, body composition, arm muscle mass, leucine
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