Effects of aerobic and resistance exercise training associated with carnosine precursor supplementation on maximal strength and V?O2max in rats with heart failure

Background: Combined exercise training (CET) has been associated with positive responses in the clinical status of patients with heart failure (HF). Other nonpharmacological tools, such as amino acid supplementation, may further enhance its adaptation. The aim was to test whether CET associated with supplementing carnosine precursors could present better responses in the functional capacity and biochemical variables of rats with HF. Methods: Twenty-one male Wistar rats were subjected to myocardial infarction and allocated to three groups: sedentary (SED, n = 7), CET supplemented with placebo (CET-P, n = 7), and CET with HF supplemented with 13-alanine and L-histidine (CET-S, n = 7). The trained animals were submitted to a strength protocol three times per week. Aerobic training was conducted twice per week. The supplemented group received 13-alanine and Lhistidine orally (250 mg/kg per day). Results: Maximum oxygen uptake, running distance, time to exhaustion and maximum strength were higher in the CET-P group than that in the SED group and even higher in the CET-S group than that in the CET-P group (P < 0.01). CET-S showed lower oxidative stress and inflammation markers and higher heat shock protein 72 kDa content and mRNA expression for calcium transporters in the skeletal muscle compared to SED. Conclusion: CET together with 13-alanine and L-histidine supplementation in rats with HF can elicit adaptations in both maximum oxygen uptake, running distance, time to exhaustion, maximum strength, oxidative stress, inflammation and mRNA expression. Carnosine may influence beneficial adjustments in the cell stress response in the skeletal muscle and upregulate the mRNA expression of calcium transporters.

Automated summary

The study found that combined exercise training (CET) with 13-alanine and L-histidine supplementation in rats with heart failure (HF) can improve functional capacity and biochemical variables, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and affect mRNA expression of calcium transporters in the skeletal muscle.