The role of protein hydrolysates for exercise-induced skeletal muscle recovery and adaptation: a current perspective

Wheat Peptides as Catalysts for Athletic Performance Improvement in Cross-Country Skiers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the efficacy of wheat peptide supplementation compared to regular proteins in elite cross-country skiers, providing insights into the metabolic and performance effects of these supplements in order to guide athletes in selecting optimal energy sources for training and competition.

METHODS

Nineteen healthy male cross-country skiers were enrolled and assigned to either the peptide group (PEP, n = 9) or the protein group (PRO, n = 10). A four-week intervention study involving supplementation with wheat peptides/regular proteins was conducted, and pre- and post-intervention assessments were performed to evaluate exercise capacity and metabolic profiles.

RESULTS

The study found that the PEP group and the PRO group showed distinct within-group effects on exercise performance. The PEP group demonstrated improved aerobic capacity, including better performance in 10 km roller skating, an increased lactate threshold, and reduced resting blood lactate levels. The PRO group enhanced anaerobic capacity, such as improved sprint time, hexagon test performance, and lactate clearance. Metabolomic analysis revealed specific metabolic pathways affected in each group, with the PEP group showing impacts on the α-linolenic acid pathway and the PRO group on ketone body synthesis and degradation as well as vitamin B6 metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that wheat oligopeptides and regular proteins have comparable effects on exercise performance. However, the wheat peptides may offer greater advantages in enhancing aerobic capacity. No significant variations were observed in blood metabolite profiles between the two groups, but distinct metabolic pathways exhibited different responses.

The Top 5 Can't-Miss Sport Supplements

Background/Objectives: Sports supplements have become popular among fitness enthusiasts for enhancing the adaptive response to exercise. This review analyzes five of the most effective ergogenic aids: creatine, beta-alanine, nitrates, caffeine, and protein. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of the literature with a focus on the sport supplements with the most robust evidence for efficacy and safety. Results: Creatine, one of the most studied ergogenic aids, increases phosphocreatine stores in skeletal muscles, improving ATP production during high-intensity exercises like sprinting and weightlifting. Studies show creatine supplementation enhances skeletal muscle mass, strength/power, and muscular endurance. The typical dosage is 3-5 g per day and is safe for long-term use. Beta-alanine, when combined with the amino acid histidine, elevates intramuscular carnosine, which acts as a buffer in skeletal muscles and delays fatigue during high-intensity exercise by neutralizing hydrogen ions. Individuals usually take 2-6 g daily in divided doses to minimize paresthesia. Research shows significant performance improvements in activities lasting 1-4 min. Nitrates, found in beetroot juice, enhance aerobic performance by increasing oxygen delivery to muscles, enhancing endurance, and reducing oxygen cost during exercise. The recommended dosage is approximately 500 milligrams taken 2-3 h before exercise. Caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant, reduces perceived pain while enhancing focus and alertness. Effective doses range from 3 to 6 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, typically consumed an hour before exercise. Protein supplementation supports muscle repair, growth, and recovery, especially after resistance training. The recommended intake for exercise-trained men and women varies depending on their specific goals. Concluions: In summary, creatine, beta-alanine, nitrates, caffeine, and protein are the best ergogenic aids, with strong evidence supporting their efficacy and safety.

Plant-Based Proteins, Peptides and Amino Acids in Food Products Dedicated for Sportspeople-A Narrative Review of the Literature

Plant proteins are increasingly seen as critical nutrient sources for both amateur and professional athletes. The aim of the presented study was to review the inventions and experimental articles referring to the application of plant-based proteins, peptides and amino acids in food products dedicated to sportspeople and published in the period 2014-2023. The literature search was conducted according to PRISMA statementsacross several key databases, including Scopus and ISI Web of Science. Altogether, 106 patents and 35 original articles were found. The survey of patents and inventions described in the articles showed the use of 52 taxa (mainly annual herbaceous plants), creating edible seeds and representing mainly the families Fabaceae and Poaceae. The majority of inventions were developed by research teams numbering from two to five scientists, affiliated in China, The United States of America and Japan. The greatest number of inventions applied plant-based proteins (especially protein isolates), declared the nutritional activity and were prepared in liquid or solid consistency. According to the reviewed studies, the intake of soybean and potato proteins might provide better results than animal-based protein (excluding resistance training), whereas the consumption of pea and rice protein does not possess any unique anabolic properties over whey protein. The analysis of other investigations demonstrated the varied acceptability and consumption of food products, while the high rating of the tested food products presented in four articles seems to be an effect of their sensual values, as well as other elements, such as production method, health benefits and cost-effectiveness. Considering the great potential of useful plant species, it might be concluded that future investigations focusing on searching for novel plant protein sources, suitable for the preparation of food products dedicated to amateur and professional sportspeople, remain of interest.

The Improvement and Related Mechanism of Microecologics on the Sports Performance and Post-Exercise Recovery of Athletes: A Narrative Review

The diversity and functionality of gut microbiota may play a crucial role in the function of human motor-related systems. In addition to traditional nutritional supplements, there is growing interest in microecologics due to their potential to enhance sports performance and facilitate post-exercise recovery by modulating the gut microecological environment. However, there is a lack of relevant reviews on this topic. This review provides a comprehensive overview of studies investigating the effects of various types of microecologics, such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics, on enhancing sports performance and facilitating post-exercise recovery by regulating energy metabolism, mitigating oxidative-stress-induced damage, modulating immune responses, and attenuating bone loss. Although further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which microecologics exert their effects. In summary, this study aims to provide scientific evidence for the future development of microecologics in athletics.

Untargeted metabolomic reveals the changes in muscle metabolites of mice during exercise recovery and the mechanisms of whey protein and whey protein hydrolysate in promoting muscle repair

Our previous study indicated that whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) showed effective anti-fatigue properties, but its regulatory mechanism on recovery from exercise in mice is unclear. In the present study, we divided the mice into control, WP, and WPH groups and allowed them to rest for 1 h and 24 h after exercise, respectively. The changes in muscle metabolites of mice in the recovery period were investigated using metabolomics techniques. The results showed that the WPH group significantly up-regulated 94 muscle metabolites within 1 h of rest, which was 1.96 and 2.61 times more than the control and WP groups, respectively. In detail, significant decreases in TCA cycle intermediates, lipid metabolites, and carbohydrate metabolites were observed in the control group during exercise recovery. In contrast, administration with WP and WPH enriched more amino acid metabolites within 1 h of rest, which might provide a more comprehensive metabolic environment for muscle repair. Moreover, the WPH group remarkably stimulated the enhancement of lipid, carbohydrate, and vitamin metabolites in the recovery period which might provide raw materials and energy for anabolic reactions. The result of the western blot further demonstrated that WPH could promote muscle repair via activating the Sestrin2/Akt/mTOR/S6K signaling pathway within 1 h of rest. These findings deepen our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms by WPH to promote muscle recovery and may serve as a reference for comprehensive assessments of protein supplements on exercise.

Beef peptides mitigate skeletal muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes through protein degradation, protein synthesis, and the oxidative stress pathway

This study aimed to investigate the potential of beef peptides (BPs) in mitigating muscle atrophy induced by dexamethasone (DEX) with underlying three mechanisms in vitro (protein degradation, protein synthesis, and the oxidative stress pathway). Finally, the anti-atrophic effect of BPs was enhanced through purification and isolation. BPs were generated using beef loin hydrolyzed with alcalase/ProteAX/trypsin, each at a concentration of 0.67%, followed by ultrafiltration through a 3 kDa cut-off. BPs (10-100 μg mL-1) dose-dependently counteracted the DEX-induced reductions in myotube diameters, differentiation, fusion, and maturation indices (p < 0.05). Additionally, BPs significantly reduced FoxO1 protein dephosphorylation, thereby suppressing muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases such as muscle RING-finger containing protein-1 and muscle atrophy F-box protein in C2C12 myotubes at concentrations exceeding 25 μg mL-1 (p < 0.05). BPs also enhanced the phosphorylation of protein synthesis markers, including mTOR, 4E-BP1, and p70S6K1, in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05) and increased the mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes. Fractionated peptides derived from BPs, through size exclusion and polarity-based fractionation, also demonstrated enhanced anti-atrophic effects compared to BPs. These peptides downregulated the mRNA expression of primary muscle atrophy markers while upregulated that of antioxidant enzymes. Specifically, peptides GAGAAGAPAGGA (MW 924.5) and AFRSSTKK (MW 826.4) were identified from fractionated peptides of BPs. These findings suggest that BPs, specifically the peptide fractions GAGAAGAPAGGA and AFRSSTKK, could be a potential strategy to mitigate glucocorticoid-induced skeletal muscle atrophy by reducing the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity.

Plasma-Induced Changes in the Metabolome Following Vistula Tart Cherry Consumption

Evidence suggests that tart cherry (TC) supplementation has beneficial effects on health indices and recovery following strenuous exercise. However, little is known about the mechanisms and how TC might modulate the human metabolome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of an acute high- and low-dose of Vistula TC supplementation on the metabolomic profile in humans. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over design, 12 healthy participants (nine male and three female; mean ± SD age, stature, and mass were 29 ± 7 years old, 1.75 ± 0.1 m, and 77.3 ± 10.5 kg, respectively) visited the laboratory on three separate occasions (high dose; HI, low dose; LO, or placebo), separated by at least seven days. After an overnight fast, a baseline venous blood sample was taken, followed by consumption of a standardised breakfast and dose conditions (HI, LO, or placebo). Subsequent blood draws were taken 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 h post consumption. Following sample preparation, an untargeted metabolomics approach was adopted, and the extracts analysed by LCMS/MS. When all time points were collated, a principal component analysis showed a significant difference between the conditions (p < 0.05), such that the placebo trial had homogeneity, and HI showed greater heterogeneity. In a sub-group analysis, cyanidine-3-O-glucoside (C3G), cyanidine-3-O-rutinoside (C3R), and vanillic acid (VA) were detected in plasma and showed significant differences (p < 0.05) following acute consumption of Vistula TC, compared to the placebo group. These results provide evidence that phenolics are bioavailable in plasma and induce shifts in the metabolome following acute Vistula TC consumption. These data could be used to inform future intervention studies where changes in physiological outcomes could be influenced by metabolomic shifts following acute supplementation.

Functional nutrition for the health of exercising individuals and elite sportspersons

INTRODUCTION

Elite sportspersons who are involved in high-intensity physical sports indulge in severe training and competition schedules, which exposes them to high levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress, hence it may hamper their health sometimes. Disturbance in the health of sportspersons also induces compromised performances.

THE PREMISE FOR FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION

Functional nutrition is essential for elite sportspersons training for securing both rest and recovery to have proper health and anticipated performance. Apart from serving the energy needs of the sportspersons, the nutrition strategies should provide them with certain metabolic advantages, which provide greater health and immunity, to ensure proper training and competition. The diet of the sportspersons needs to contain appropriate anti-inflammatory and antioxidative nutrients, to ensure to reduction and control of the physiological stress of tissues during high-intensity physical sports, especially during marathon running. Preserving anabolic valence among sportspersons for muscle myokine optimization is an essential aspect of sports nutrition, which secures health and provides excellent performance potential. Preservation and optimization of gut microbiome among sportspersons enhance immune health and performance, through proper gut integrity and enhanced metabolic cascades. As the genes are to be properly expressed for excellent manifestation in protein synthesis and other metabolic signaling, achieving genetic valance through proper nutrition ensures the health of the sportspersons.

CONCLUSION

Functional nutrition seems a very necessary and potent factor in the training and competition aspects of elite sportspersons since nutrition not only provides recovery but also ensures proper health for elite sportspersons.

Sarcopenia of Ageing: Does a Healthier Lifestyle Matter in Reversing the Trajectory? A Brief Narrative Review and a Call for Action in Saudi Arabia

The concept of health span is an emerging topic in recent years, with a truly palpable relevance to public health. With ageing comes a loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and performance, which is termed as sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is a major public health concern and poses a challenge to health-care systems. Modifiable lifestyle factors may be linked to the course of sarcopenia progression. Many countries developed diagnostic tools to accurately detect sarcopenia for its prevention, delay, or treatment. However, to date, there is no sufficient information regarding the status of sarcopenia in Saudi Arabia. The review aims to discuss sarcopenia and relevant updates in research and literature, the association with modifiable lifestyle factors, the implications of sarcopenia in a rapidly developing country such as Saudi Arabia, and the current state and need for research in Saudi Arabia in this domain along with future directions in combating this disease.

Exploring the Potential of Olive Flounder Processing By-Products as a Source of Functional Ingredients for Muscle Enhancement

Olive flounder (OF) is a widely aqua-cultivated and recognized socioeconomic resource in Korea. However, more than 50% of by-products are generated when processing one OF, and there is no proper way to utilize them. With rising awareness and interest in eco-friendly bio-materialization recycling, this research investigates the potential of enzymatic hydrolysis of OF by-products (OFB) to produce functional ingredients. Various enzymatic hydrolysates of OFB (OFBEs) were generated using 11 commercial enzymes. Among them, Prozyme 2000P-assisted OFBE (OFBP) exhibited the highest protein content and yield, as well as low molecularization. The muscle regenerative potential of OFBEs was evaluated using C2C12 myoblasts, revealing that OFBP positively regulated myoblast differentiation. In an in vitro Dex-induced myotube atrophy model, OFBP protected against muscle atrophy and restored myotube differentiation and Dex-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Furthermore, zebrafish treated with OFBEs showed improved locomotor activity and body weight, with OFBP exhibiting outstanding restoration in the Dex-induced muscle atrophy zebrafish in vivo model. In conclusion, OFBEs, particularly OFBP, produce hydrolysates with enhanced physiological usability and muscle regenerative potential. Further research on its industrial application and mechanistic insights is needed to realize its potential as a high-quality protein food ingredient derived from OF processing by-products.

Nutritional Considerations for the Vegan Athlete

Accepting a continued rise in the prevalence of vegan-type diets in the general population is also likely to occur in athletic populations, it is of importance to assess the potential impact on athletic performance, adaptation, and recovery. Nutritional consideration for the athlete requires optimization of energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intakes, and potentially the judicious selection of dietary supplements, all specified to meet the individual athlete's training and performance goals. The purpose of this review is to assess whether adopting a vegan diet is likely to impinge on such optimal nutrition and, where so, consider evidence based yet practical and pragmatic nutritional recommendations. Current evidence does not support that a vegan-type diet will enhance performance, adaptation, or recovery in athletes, but equally suggests that an athlete can follow a (more) vegan diet without detriment. A clear caveat, however, is that vegan diets consumed spontaneously may induce suboptimal intakes of key nutrients, most notably quantity and/or quality of dietary protein and specific micronutrients (eg, iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D). As such, optimal vegan sports nutrition requires (more) careful consideration, evaluation, and planning. Individual/seasonal goals, training modalities, athlete type, and sensory/cultural/ethical preferences, among other factors, should all be considered when planning and adopting a vegan diet.

The Impact of Processing and Extraction Methods on the Allergenicity of Targeted Protein Quantification as Well as Bioactive Peptides Derived from Egg

This review article discusses advanced extraction methods to enhance the functionality of egg-derived peptides while reducing their allergenicity. While eggs are considered a nutrient-dense food, some proteins can cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. Therefore, various methods have been developed to reduce the allergenicity of egg-derived proteins, such as enzymatic hydrolysis, heat treatment, and glycosylation. In addition to reducing allergenicity, advanced extraction methods can enhance the functionality of egg-derived peptides. Techniques such as membrane separation, chromatography, and electrodialysis can isolate and purify specific egg-derived peptides with desired functional properties, improving their bioactivity. Further, enzymatic hydrolysis can also break down polypeptide sequences and produce bioactive peptides with various health benefits. While liquid chromatography is the most commonly used method to obtain individual proteins for developing novel food products, several challenges are associated with optimizing extraction conditions to maximize functionality and allergenicity reduction. The article also highlights the challenges and future perspectives, including optimizing extraction conditions to maximize functionality and allergenicity reduction. The review concludes by highlighting the potential for future research in this area to improve the safety and efficacy of egg-derived peptides more broadly.

A Cell-Based Assessment of the Muscle Anabolic Potential of Blue Whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) Protein Hydrolysates

Blue whiting (BW) represents an underutilised fish species containing a high-quality protein and amino acid (AA) profile with numerous potentially bioactive peptide sequences, making BW an economic and sustainable alternative source of protein. This study investigated the impact of three different BW protein hydrolysates (BWPH-X, Y and Z) on growth, proliferation and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in skeletal muscle (C2C12) myotubes. BWPHs were hydrolysed using different enzymatic and heat exposures and underwent simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID), each resulting in a high degree of hydrolysis (33.41-37.29%) and high quantities of low molecular mass peptides (86.17-97.12% <1 kDa). C2C12 myotubes were treated with 1 mg protein equivalent/mL of SGID-BWPHs for 4 h. Muscle growth and myotube thickness were analysed using an xCelligence™ platform. Anabolic signalling (phosphorylation of mTOR, rpS6 and 4E-BP1) and MPS measured by puromycin incorporation were assessed using immunoblotting. BWPH-X significantly increased muscle growth (p < 0.01) and myotube thickness (p < 0.0001) compared to the negative control (amino acid and serum free media). Muscle protein synthesis (MPS), as measured by puromycin incorporation, was significantly higher after incubation with BWPH-X compared with the negative control, but did not significantly change in response to BWPH-Y and Z treatments. Taken together, these preliminary findings demonstrate the anabolic potential of some but not all BWPHs on muscle enhancement, thus providing justification for human dietary intervention studies to confirm and translate the results of such investigations to dietary recommendations and practices.

Anti-fatigue effects of enzyme-hydrolyzed okara in C2C12 myotubes and Sprague-Dawley rats

Okara is a by-product of tofu or soymilk production processes. The disposal of huge quantities of okara is a significant issue. Based on previous reports, protein hydrolysis can release excess free amino acids and small peptides from okara and exhibit anti-fatigue function. We aimed to investigate the anti-fatigue effect of okara protein hydrolysate (OPH) in vitro and in vivo. In the first phase, we treated C2C12 myotubes with different processed OPHs to detect mitochondrial functions. The results revealed that OPH hydrolyzed with alcalase containing 2% E/S for 2 h increased the mitochondrial mRNA level (cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase I) and enzyme activity (citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase) most efficiently. In the second phase, we conducted animal studies to assess the anti-fatigue function of OPH. After acclimatization, 8 week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly classified into four groups: (1) control group, (2) 1X-OPH, (3) 2X-OPH, and (4) 5X-OPH (8 rats per group, treated for 28 days). The results indicated that the intake of OPH for 28 days increased the exhaustive swimming time of rats and lowered the increment of the lactate ratio, as well as the activity of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase. These results indicated that OPH improves exercise performance and anti-fatigue function in male SD rats. Therefore, OPH could be a potential health supplement for anti-fatigue function.

Protein and Sport: Alternative Sources and Strategies for Bioactive and Sustainable Sports Nutrition

Nutrition and sport play an important role in achieving a healthy lifestyle. In addition to the intake of nutrients derived from the normal diet, some sport disciplines require the consumption of supplements that contribute positively to improved athletic performance. Protein intake is important for many aspects related to health, and current evidence suggests that some athletes require increased amounts of this nutrient. On the other hand, society's demand for more environmentally friendly products, focus on the search for alternative food sources more sustainable. This review aims to summarize the latest research on novel strategies and sources for greener and functional supplementation in sport nutrition. Alternative protein sources such as insects, plants or mycoproteins have proven to be an interesting substrate due to their high added value in terms of bioactivity and sustainability. Protein hydrolysis has proven to be a very useful technology to revalue by-products, such as collagen, by producing bioactive peptides beneficial on athletes performance and sport-related complications. In addition, it has been observed that certain amino acids from plant sources, as citrulline or theanine, can have an ergogenic effect for this target population. Finally, the future perspectives of protein supplementation in sports nutrition are discussed. In summary, protein supplementation in sports nutrition is a very promising field of research, whose future perspective lies with the search for alternatives with greater bioactive potential and more sustainable than conventional sources.

Divergent serum metabolomic, skeletal muscle signaling, transcriptomic, and performance adaptations to fasted versus whey protein-fed sprint interval training

Sprint interval training (SIT) is a time-efficient alternative to endurance exercise, conferring beneficial skeletal muscle metabolic adaptations. Current literature has investigated the nutritional regulation of acute and chronic exercise-induced metabolic adaptations in muscle following endurance exercise, principally comparing the impact of training in fasted and carbohydrate-fed (CHO) conditions. Alternative strategies such as exercising in low CHO, protein-fed conditions remain poorly characterized, specifically pertaining to adaptations associated with SIT. Thus, this study aimed to compare the metabolic and performance adaptations to acute and short-term SIT in the fasted state with preexercise hydrolyzed (WPH) or concentrated (WPC) whey protein supplementation. In healthy males, preexercise protein ingestion did not alter exercise-induced increases in PGC-1α, PDK4, SIRT1, and PPAR-δ mRNA expression following acute SIT. However, supplementation of WPH beneficially altered acute exercise-induced CD36 mRNA expression. Preexercise protein ingestion attenuated acute exercise-induced increases in muscle pan-acetylation and PARP1 protein content compared with fasted SIT. Acute serum metabolomic differences confirmed greater preexercise amino acid delivery in protein-fed compared with fasted conditions. Following 3 wk of SIT, training-induced increases in mitochondrial enzymatic activity and exercise performance were similar across nutritional groups. Interestingly, resting muscle acetylation status was downregulated in WPH conditions following training. Such findings suggest preexercise WPC and WPH ingestion positively influences metabolic adaptations to SIT compared with fasted training, resulting in either similar or enhanced performance adaptations. Future studies investigating nutritional modulation of metabolic adaptations to exercise are warranted to build upon these novel findings.NEW & NOTEWORTHY These are the first data to show the influence of preexercise protein on serum and skeletal muscle metabolic adaptations to acute and short-term sprint interval training (SIT). Preexercise whey protein concentrate (WPC) or hydrolysate (WPH) feeding acutely affected the serum metabolome, which differentially influenced acute and chronic changes in mitochondrial gene expression, intracellular signaling (acetylation and PARylation) resulting in either similar or enhanced performance outcomes when compared with fasted training.