Protective effect of branched chain amino acids on hindlimb suspension-induced muscle atrophy in growing rats

Purpose The effect of BCAA (branched chain amino acid) administration on muscle atrophy during growth phases is not well known. We investigated whether BCAA administration can prevent the muscle atrophy induced by hindlimb suspension in growing male rats. Methods Male Wistar rats were assigned to 1 of 2 groups (n = 7/group): hindlimb suspension and hindlimb suspension with oral BCAA administration (600 mg·kg−1·day−1, valine 1: leucine 2: isoleucine 1). After 14 days of hindlimb suspension, the weight and mRNA levels of the soleus muscle were measured. Results BCAA administration prevented a decrease in soleus muscle weight. BCAA administration attenuated atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA expression, which has been reported to play a pivotal role in muscle atrophy. Conclusion BCAA could serve as an effective supplement for the prevention or treatment of muscle atrophy, especially atrophy caused by weightlessness. Keywords: branched chain amino acids, hindlimb suspension, muscle atrophy, atrogin-1, MuRF1, rat