AUTHOR=De Carvalho Flávia G. , Galan Bryan S. M. , Santos Priscila C. , Pritchett Kelly , Pfrimer Karina , Ferriolli Eduardo , Papoti Marcelo , Marchini Júlio S. , de Freitas Ellen C. 

TITLE=Taurine: A Potential Ergogenic Aid for Preventing Muscle Damage and Protein Catabolism and Decreasing Oxidative Stress Produced by Endurance Exercise

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2017

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2017.00710

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2017.00710

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of taurine and chocolate milk supplementation on oxidative stress and protein metabolism markers, and aerobic parameters in triathletes. METHODS: A double-blind, crossover study was conducted with 10 male triathletes, aged 30.9 ±1.3 yr, height 1.79 ± 0.01 m and body weight 77.45 ± 2.4 kg. Three grams of taurine and 400 ml of chocolate milk (TAUchoc), or a placebo (chocolate milk) (CHOC) was ingested post exercise for 8 weeks. Oxidative stress marker levels, and 24 hour urinary nitrogen, creatinine, and urea excretion were measured before and after 8 weeks of training and supplementation with TAUchoc or CHOC. A maximal incremental running test on a treadmill was performed in order to evaluate aerobic parameters: Vmax, heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). RESULTS: TAUchoc treatment during the 8 weeks resulted in increased taurine plasma levels (PRE 201.32± 29.03 µmol/L and POST 234.36±35.51 µmol/L, p= 0.01), decreased malondialdehyde levels (19.4%, p=0.03) and urinary nitrogen excretion (-33%, p= 0.03), and promoted positive nitrogen balance (p=0.01). There were no changes in reduced glutathione (TAUchoc PRE 0.72±0.08 mmol/L and POST 0.83±0.08 mmol/L; CHOC PRE 0.69±0.08 mmol/L and POST 0.81±0.06 mmol/L), vitamin E plasma levels (TAUchoc PRE 33.99±2.52 µmol/L and  35.95±2.80 µmol/L and CHOC PRE 31.48±2.12 µmol/L and POST 33.77±3.64 µmol/L), or aerobic parameters, which were obtained in the last phase of the maximal incremental running test (Vmax  TAUchoc PRE 13±1.4 km/h and POST 13.22±1.34 km/h; CHOC PRE 13.11±2.34 km/h and POST 13.11±2.72 km/h), the heart rate values were TAUchoc PRE 181.89±24.18 bpm and POST 168.89±46.56 bpm; CHOC PRE 181.56±2.14 bpm and POST 179.78±3.4 bpm, and the RPE were TAUchoc PRE 8.33±2.4 AU and POST 9.1±2.1 AU; CHOC PRE 8.11±4.94 AU and POST 8.78±2.78 AU). CONCLUSION: Taurine supplementation did not improve aerobic parameters, but was effective in increasing taurine plasma levels and decreasing oxidative stress markers, which suggests that taurine may prevent oxidative stress in triathletes.