Algae Ingestion Increases Resting and Exercised Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis Rates to a Similar Extent as Mycoprotein in Young Adults

Abstract

Background: Spirulina [SPIR] (cyanobacterium) and chlorella [CHLO] (microalgae) are foods rich in protein and essential amino acids; however, their capacity to stimulate myofibrillar protein synthesis (MyoPS) in humans remains unknown.

Objectives: We assessed the impact of ingesting SPIR and CHLO compared with an established high-quality nonanimal-derived dietary protein source (fungal-derived mycoprotein [MYCO]) on plasma amino acid concentrations, as well as resting and postexercise MyoPS rates in young adults.

Methods: Thirty-six healthy young adults (age: 22 ± 3 y; BMI: 23 ± 3 kg·m^-2; male [m]/female [f], 18/18) participated in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial. Participants received a primed, continuous infusion of L-[ring-²H₅]-phenylalanine and completed a bout of unilateral-resistance leg exercise before ingesting a drink containing 25 g protein from MYCO (n = 12; m/f, 6/6), SPIR (n = 12; m/f, 6/6), or CHLO (n = 12; m/f, 6/6). Blood and bilateral muscle samples were collected at baseline and during a 4-h postprandial and postexercise period to assess the plasma amino acid concentrations and MyoPS rates in rested and exercised tissue.

Results: Protein ingestion increased the plasma total and essential amino acid concentrations (time effects; all P < 0.001), but most rapidly and with higher peak responses following the ingestion of SPIR compared with MYCO and CHLO (P < 0.05), and MYCO compared with CHLO (P < 0.05). Protein ingestion increased MyoPS rates (time effect; P < 0.001) in both rested (MYCO, from 0.041 ± 0.032 to 0.060 ± 0.015%·h^-1; SPIR, from 0.042 ± 0.030 to 0.066 ± 0.022%·h^-1; and CHLO, from 0.037 ± 0.007 to 0.055 ± 0.019%·h^-1, respectively) and exercised tissue (MYCO, from 0.046 ± 0.014 to 0.092 ± 0.024%·h^-1; SPIR, from 0.038 ± 0.011 to 0.086 ± 0.028%·h^-1; and CHLO, from 0.048 ± 0.019 to 0.090 ± 0.024%·h^-1, respectively), with no differences between groups (interaction effect; P > 0.05), but with higher rates in exercised compared with rested muscle (time × exercise effect; P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The ingestion of a single bolus of algae-derived SPIR and CHLO increases resting and postexercise MyoPS rates to a comparable extent as MYCO, despite divergent postprandial plasma amino acid responses.

Keywords: algae; amino acids; muscle protein synthesis; mycoprotein; resistance exercise; stable isotopes.