Effects of L-carnitine and Branched-Chain Amino Acids on Energy Metabolism,Body Composition,and Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness after Exercise in Healthy Subjects

Background Specific nutrients combined with exercise may prevent a loss of lean body mass and consequently prevent sarcopenia.We examined the effects of 2 weeks of supplementation with L-carnitine and a single dose of branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)on energy metabolism and body composition before and after exercise and on post-exercise muscle soreness in healthy subjects.Methods A total of 12 young,untrained,healthy women were randomly assigned to two groups who received either 2 weeks of supplementation with L-carnitine(1000 mg/day)and a single dose of BCAAs plus 200 kcal energy(LCAR+BCAA group,n=6)or 200 kcal energy alone(control group,n=6)before 60 min of exercise.Energy substrate metabolism and body composition by bio-impedance were examined before and after exercise.Delayed-onset muscle soreness(DOMS)was evaluated by using a visual analogue scale for 3 days after exercise.Results Serum concentrations of free and acyl-L-carnitine in the LCAR+BCAA group were not significantly different from those in the control group.There were no significant differences in body composition before or after exercise between the two groups.Although serum free fatty acid levels 120 min after the oral ingestion of BCAAs were significantly lower in the LCAR+BCAA group than in the control group,there were no significant differences in serum free fatty acid levels immediately after and 60 min after exercise.DOMS for 3 days after exercise was lower in the LCAR+BCAA group than in the control group,but this difference was not significant.Conclusion Continuous supplementation with L-carnitine combined with a dose of BCAAs in young,untrained,healthy subjects caused a blunted response of stimulated lipolysis after exercise.

Strategies of the acupuncture treatment for delayed-onset muscle soreness based on pathophysiology

Based on the pathophysiological analysis of delayed-onset muscle soreness,the key points of its treatment was summarized in this paper:promoting the repair of injury,improving the metabolic state,and effectively relieving pain.Its key objectives and order of treatment are made clear:first to promote repair,second to improve metabolism,and then to relieve pain.And through the analysis of the key points of the treatment,the law of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment is put forward as follows:puncture those acupoints with the overall regulation function to adjust the secretion of endogenous analgesic substances in the body,at the same time,the special respiratory movement is adopted to improve the metabolic state,and the proper exercises are combined to promote the tissue repair.