Branched-chain amino acid composition for improving skeletal muscle protein metabolism

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for improving skeletal muscle protein metabolism through encouraging skeletal muscle protein synthesis, reducing skeletal muscle protein degradation, and attenuating inflammatory signaling in exercising muscle.

1 . A nutritional composition comprising at least
 one or more branched-chain amino acids or derivatives thereof,   a plant extract, and   γ-butyrobetaine or derivative thereof   wherein said branched-chain amino acid acts to activate skeletal muscle protein synthesis and inhibit skeletal muscle protein degradation, said plant extract acts to attenuate NF-κB activity, and said γ-butyrobetaine or derivative thereof acts to increase vasodilation via increased levels of nitric oxide in a mammal.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the branched-chain amino acid is selected from, but not limited to, Leucine or derivatives thereof, Valine or derivatives thereof, and Isoleucine or derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said plant extract is an extract of  Andrographis paniculata.    
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an effective amount of ethyl pyruvate; wherein said ethyl pyruvate acts to increase substrate availability for mitochondrial beta-oxidation. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an effective amount of diferuloylmethane; wherein said diferuloylmethane acts to attenuate NF-κB activity. 
     
     
         6 . A nutritional composition comprising an effective amount of at least one branched-chain amino acid, and effective amount of an extract of  Andrographis paniculata,  and an effective amount of γ-butyrobetaine or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein the branched-chain amino acid is selected from, but not limited to, Leucine or derivatives thereof, Valine or derivatives thereof, and Isoleucine or derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7  wherein said branched-chain amino acid acts to activate skeletal muscle protein synthesis or inhibit skeletal muscle protein degradation. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein the extract of  Andrographis paniculata  acts to attenuate NF-κB activity. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein the γ-butyrobetaine or derivative thereof acts to increase vasodilation via increased levels of nitric oxide. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 6 , further comprising an effective amount of ethyl pyruvate; wherein said ethyl pyruvate acts to increase substrate availability for mitochondrial beta-oxidation. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 6 , further comprising an effective amount of diferuloylmethane; wherein said diferuloylmethane acts to NF-κB activity.