•  
  •  
 

Abstract

Background The co-ingestion of amino acids with a glucose drink has been shown to blunt the elevated post-prandial glucose response. Though not entirely clear, some suggest amino acids will facilitate an incretin-driven insulin response that improves glucose sensitivity. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the “priming” effect of pre-ingested amino acids on glycemic control in healthy inactive adults. We present here some preliminary data from 7 adults. Hypothesis We hypothesize that the pre-ingested amino acids would attenuate the post-prandial rise in glucose during a 75 g glucose tolerance test. Methods To test this, seven healthy adults (Females: n =4, Males: n=3, Age 27.17 ± 4.7 y; Height 165.84 ± 9.53 cm; Weight 82.47 ± 14.63 kg; BMI 30.14 ± 7.54 kg/m2; Lean body mass (LBM) 56.83 ± 20.56 kg; Fasting blood glucose (FBG) 87.43 ± 5.29 mg/dL) completed four trials in a randomized, single blinded fashion. The four trials required participants to ingest either Leucine (LEU), L-Isoleucine (ISO), an equal combination of LEU/ISO combined and lastly a control. Each treatment was ingested 30-min prior to a 2 h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. The amino acid drink (200 mL) was standardized by the participant LBM (0.3g/kg) while the control consisted of inert stevia and non-amino acid ingredients found in equal amounts as other treatment mixtures (3.54 g). Venous blood samples were taken at baseline, and at 10, 30, 40, 60, 90, 120, and 150-min post-treatment and 75 g glucose drink. Because data collection is ongoing, the researchers are still blinded to the composition of the amino acid drinks and thus results are presented as: Red A, Green B, Yellow C, and control (White D). Plasma glucose (GLU) was analyzed using a YSI 2900 analyzer (Yellow Springs Instruments) and insulin (INS), glucagon (GCG), glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations were quantified by fluorescent bead-based technology (MAGPIX, Luminex xMAP technology). A 2-way RMANOVA was used to assess glucose data (Graphpad Software). Results Pre-ingestion of amino acid had no significant treatment effect on GLU compared to control (P = 0.5912). Currently, only 2 individuals have been analyzed for insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, GLP-1Active, and GIPTotal. However, we observed early and promising, non-statistical supported differences in concentrations between trials of insulin (Red A, Yellow C > Green B, White D), GLP-1Active (Red A, Green B, Yellow C > White D), and GIPTotal (Red A > Green B, Yellow C, White D). Conclusion Based on these preliminary results, it appears that pre-ingestion of an amino acid drink does not influence glucose control in healthy and inactive young adults. It remains to be seen if pre-ingestion of the amino acids LEU and ISO, have any definitive effect on incretin secretion or subsequent insulin and glucagon responses.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.