Despite the role of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in physiological processes such as nutrient signaling and protein synthesis, there is ongoing debate about the link between circulating BCAAs and insulin resistance (IR) in various populations. In healthy women, IR mildly increases during pregnancy, whereas both BCAAs and markers of BCAA catabolism decrease, indicating that fetal growth is being prioritized. Exercise reduces IR in nonpregnant adults, but less is known about the effect of exercise during pregnancy in women with obesity on IR and BCAA breakdown. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a moderate-intensity exercise intervention during pregnancy on maternal circulating BCAAs and markers of BCAA catabolism [short-chain acylcarnitines (ACs)], and their associations with IR. Healthy obese [n = 80, means ± SD; body mass index (BMI): 36.9 ± 5.7 kg/m2] pregnant women were randomized into an exercise (n = 40, aerobic/resistance 3×/wk, ∼13th gestation week until birth) or a nonexercise control (n = 40) group. Blood was collected at 12.2 ± 0.5 and 36.0 ± 0.4 gestation weeks and analyzed for BCAA-derived acylcarnitine concentrations as markers of BCAA breakdown toward oxidative pathways, and glucose and insulin concentrations [updated homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA2-IR)]. After adjusting for HOMA2-IR, there were no interaction effects of group by time. In addition, there was a main positive effect of time on HOMA2-IR (12 wk: 2.3 ± 0.2, 36 wk: 3.0 ± 0.2, P = 0.003). A moderate-intensity exercise intervention during pregnancy in women with obesity was not associated with changes in BCAA-derived ACs versus standard of care. The decrease in BCAA-derived ACs throughout gestation could not be explained by IR.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This research showed an increase in insulin resistance (IR) and decrease in branched-chain amino acid catabolism throughout gestation in women with obesity, and addition of a moderate exercise intervention (known to attenuate IR in nonpregnant populations) did not alter these shifts. Findings provide support for metabolic safety of exercise during pregnancy.
Keywords: BCAA; gestation; insulin resistance; obesity; physical activity.