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Journal of Education, Health and Sport

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) - oral supplementation and its effects in resistance training and treatment
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Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) - oral supplementation and its effects in resistance training and treatment

Authors

  • Borys Bieńkowski Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7027-2358
  • Krzysztof Feja M. Pirogow Hospital, Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7886-6389
  • Ewa Łuczak Salve, Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6342-8066
  • Krzysztof Jachowicz Central Clinical Hospital of Medical University of Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8075-6266
  • Piotr Petryla Norbert Barlicki Memorial Teaching Hospital No. 1 of the Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3460-0063
  • Zuzanna Suwała Norbert Barlicki Memorial Teaching Hospital No. 1 of the Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8838-4863
  • Urszula Marchewka 5th Military Clinical Hospital, Krakow, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2895-7296
  • Kamil Ostafin Norbert Barlicki Memorial Teaching Hospital No. 1 of the Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9516-2394
  • Natalia Rektor Military Medical Academy Memorial Teaching Hospital of the Medical University of Lodz - Central Veterans’ Hospital, Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2910-9452
  • Krzysztof Edyko Central Clinical Hospital of Medical University of Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5801-4269

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2023.43.01.016

Keywords

BCAA, supplementation, metabolism, resistance training, cirrhosis treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Branched - chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential components of proteins that play a crucial role in regulating numerous physiological processes in the human body. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of scientific research on BCAAs, including their involvement in metabolism, protein biosynthesis, and the regulation of anabolic processes. We reviewed the supplementation of BCAAs and its impact on sports performance, body composition, and the therapeutic applications of BCAAs

Materials and methods: This study is based on medical articles collected from the PubMed database spanning the years 2011-2023. The research was conducted through the analysis of keywords such as "BCAA supplementation", "BCAA metabolism", and "BCAA treatment".

Results: The physiology of BCAAs is well understood. The use of oral supplements containing BCAAs does not have a positive impact on muscle hypertrophy, muscle strength, and post-workout muscle soreness in resistance training. However, branched chain amino acids may serve as a safe and effective therapeutic approach in the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

References

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Brosnan, J.T., & Brosnan, M.E. (2006). Branched-chain amino acids: Enzyme and substrate regulation. The Journal of Nutrition, 136(1 Suppl), 207S–211S. PubMed ID: 16365084 doi:10.1093/jn/136.1.207S

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Yoon, M.S. (2016). The emerging role of branched-chain amino acids in insulin resistance and metabolism. Nutrients, 8(7), 405. PubMed ID: 27376324 doi:10.3390/nu8070405

Rieu, I., Balage, M., Sornet, C., Giraudet, C., Pujos, E., Grizard, J., … Dardevet, D. (2006). Leucine supplementation improves muscle protein synthesis in elderly men independently of hyperaminoacidaemia. The Journal of Physiology, 575(1), 305–315. PubMed ID: 16777941 doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2006.110742

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DE Andrade, I.T., Gualano, B., Hevia-LarraÍn, V., Neves-Junior, J., Cajueiro, M., Jardim, F., … Roschel, H. (2020). Leucine supplementation has no further effect on training-induced muscle adaptations. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 52(8), 1809–1814. PubMed ID: 32079916 doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000002307

VanDusseldorp TA, Escobar KA, Johnson KE, Stratton MT, Moriarty T, Cole N, McCormick JJ, Kerksick CM, Vaughan RA, Dokladny K, Kravitz L, Mermier CM. Effect of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation on Recovery Following Acute Eccentric Exercise. Nutrients. 2018 Oct 1;10(10):1389. doi: 10.3390/nu10101389. PMID: 30275356; PMCID: PMC6212987.

Kephart WC, Mumford PW, McCloskey AE, Holland AM, Shake JJ, Mobley CB, Jagodinsky AE, Weimar WH, Oliver GD, Young KC, Moon JR, Roberts MD. Post-exercise branched chain amino acid supplementation does not affect recovery markers following three consecutive high intensity resistance training bouts compared to carbohydrate supplementation. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2016 Jul 26;13:30. doi: 10.1186/s12970-016-0142-y. PMID: 27468258; PMCID: PMC4962429.

Dasarathy S, Merli M. Sarcopenia from mechanism to diagnosis and treatment in liver disease. J Hepatol. 2016 Dec;65(6):1232-1244. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.07.040. Epub 2016 Aug 8. PMID: 27515775; PMCID: PMC5116259.

Ruiz-Margáin A, Macías-Rodríguez RU, Ríos-Torres SL, Román-Calleja BM, Méndez-Guerrero O, Rodríguez-Córdova P, Torre A. Effect of a high-protein, high-fiber diet plus supplementation with branched-chain amino acids on the nutritional status of patients with cirrhosis. Rev Gastroenterol Mex (Engl Ed). 2018 Jan-Mar;83(1):9-15. English, Spanish. doi: 10.1016/j.rgmx.2017.02.005. Epub 2017 Apr 11. PMID: 28408059.

Marchesini G, Bianchi G, Merli M, Amodio P, Panella C, Loguercio C, Rossi Fanelli F, Abbiati R; Italian BCAA Study Group. Nutritional supplementation with branched-chain amino acids in advanced cirrhosis: a double-blind, randomized trial. Gastroenterology. 2003 Jun;124(7):1792-801. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(03)00323-8. PMID: 12806613.

Muto Y, Sato S, Watanabe A, Moriwaki H, Suzuki K, Kato A, Kato M, Nakamura T, Higuchi K, Nishiguchi S, Kumada H, Ohashi Y; Long-Term Survival Study (LOTUS) Group. Overweight and obesity increase the risk for liver cancer in patients with liver cirrhosis and long-term oral supplementation with branched-chain amino acid granules inhibits liver carcinogenesis in heavier patients with liver cirrhosis. Hepatol Res. 2006 Jul;35(3):204-14. doi: 10.1016/j.hepres.2006.04.007. Epub 2006 Jun 5. PMID: 16737844.

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Published

2023-08-15

How to Cite

1.
BIEŃKOWSKI, Borys, FEJA, Krzysztof, ŁUCZAK, Ewa, JACHOWICZ, Krzysztof, PETRYLA, Piotr, SUWAŁA, Zuzanna, MARCHEWKA, Urszula, OSTAFIN, Kamil, REKTOR, Natalia and EDYKO, Krzysztof. Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) - oral supplementation and its effects in resistance training and treatment. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. Online. 15 August 2023. Vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 208-220. [Accessed 28 June 2025]. DOI 10.12775/JEHS.2023.43.01.016.
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Vol. 43 No. 1 (2023)

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Review Articles

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Copyright (c) 2023 Borys Bieńkowski, Krzysztof Feja, Ewa Łuczak, Krzysztof Jachowicz, Piotr Petryla, Zuzanna Suwała, Urszula Marchewka, Kamil Ostafin, Natalia Rektor, Krzysztof Edyko

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