Betaine Supplementation Enhances Circulating Anabolic Hormones And Akt Muscle Signaling In Humans

• Published in: Medicine and science in sports and exercise Vol. 44; no. 5S; p. 949
• Main Authors: Apicella, Jenna M, Lee, Elaine C, Bailey, Brooke L, Saenz, Catherine, Anderson, Jeffrey M, Craig, Stuart AS, Kraemer, William J, Volek, Jeff S, Maresh, Carl M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-05-2012
• ISSN: 0195-9131

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to further investigate betaine ergogenicity. Specifically, we characterized betaine effects on circulating hormone concentrations and Akt muscle signaling proteins. METHODS: Twelve men (age, 19.7 + or - 1.23 years; body fat, 18.7 + or - 7.0%) performed an Acute Exercise Test (AET) before and after two weeks of supplementation with either betaine (B) (1.25g BID) or placebo (P) with a two-week washout period between treatments. Circulating (serum/plasma) GH, IGF-1, cortisol, and insulin were measured. Vastus lateralis muscle samples were analyzed for select signaling proteins (Akt, p70 S6k, AMPK). RESULTS: B (vs. P) supplementation increased GH (mean + or - SD (Area Under the Curve, AUC), B: 40.72 + or - 6.14, P: 38.28 + or - 5.54, p = 0.060) and IGF-1 (mean + or - SD (AUC), B: 106.19 + or - 13.44, P: 92.45 + or - 10.14, p = 0.010), but decreased cortisol (mean + or - SD (AUC), B: 1149.63 + or - 80.83, P: 1228.53 + or - 130.32, p = 0.007). There were no differences in insulin (AUC). B increased resting total muscle Akt (p =0.003). B potentiated phosphorylation (relative to P) of Akt (Ser473) and p70 S6k (Thr389) (p =0.016 and p = 0.005, respectively). Phosphorylation of AMPK (Thr172) decreased during both treatments (both p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Betaine supplementation fostered an anabolic endocrine profile: increased GH and IGF-1 and decreased cortisol. This hormonal profile suggests signaling that promotes increased protein synthesis. We conclude that betaine supplementation may provide ergogenic benefit via a heightened anabolic endocrine profile that supports increases in protein synthesis.