Impact of the calcium form of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate upon human skeletal muscle protein metabolism

Clin Nutr. 2018 Dec;37(6 Pt A):2068-2075. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.09.024. Epub 2017 Oct 6.

Abstract

Background & aims: β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is purported as a key nutritional supplement for the preservation of muscle mass in health, disease and as an ergogenic aid in exercise. Of the two available forms of HMB (calcium (Ca-HMB) salt or free acid (FA-HMB)) - differences in plasma bioavailability have been reported. We previously reported that ∼3 g oral FA-HMB increased muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and reduced muscle protein breakdown (MPB). The objective of the present study was to quantify muscle protein metabolism responses to oral Ca-HMB.

Methods: Eight healthy young males received a primed constant infusion of 1,2 13C2 leucine and 2H5 phenylalanine to assess MPS (by tracer incorporation in myofibrils) and MPB (via arterio-venous (A-V) dilution) at baseline and following provision of ∼3 g of Ca-HMB; muscle anabolic (MPS) and catabolic (MPB) signalling was assessed via immunoblotting.

Results: Ca-HMB led a significant and rapid (<60 min) peak in plasma HMB concentrations (483.6 ± 14.2 μM, p < 0.0001). This rise in plasma HMB was accompanied by increases in MPS (PA: 0.046 ± 0.004%/h, CaHMB: 0.072 ± 0.004%/h, p < 0001) and suppressions in MPB (PA: 7.6 ± 1.2 μmol Phe per leg min-1, Ca-HMB: 5.2 ± 0.8 μmol Phe per leg min-1, p < 0.01). Increases in the phosphorylation of mTORc1 substrates i.e. p70S6K1 and RPS6 were also observed, with no changes detected in the MPB targets measured.

Conclusions: These findings support the pro-anabolic properties of HMB via mTORc1, and show that despite proposed differences in bioavailability, Ca-HMB provides a comparable stimulation to MPS and suppression of MPB, to FA-HMB, further supporting its use as a pharmaconutrient in the modulation of muscle mass.

Keywords: Anabolism; Protein metabolism; Skeletal muscle; β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biological Availability
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium / pharmacokinetics
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle Proteins / chemistry
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Valerates / metabolism*
  • Valerates / pharmacokinetics
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Muscle Proteins
  • Valerates
  • beta-hydroxyisovaleric acid
  • Calcium