The Collagen Synthesis Response to an Acute Bout of Resistance Exercise Is Greater when Ingesting 30 g Hydrolyzed Collagen Compared with 15 g and 0 g in Resistance-Trained Young Men

Joonsung Lee; Jonathan C Y Tang; John Dutton; Rachel Dunn; William D Fraser; Kevin Enright; David R Clark; Claire E Stewart; Robert M Erskine

doi:10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.10.030

The Collagen Synthesis Response to an Acute Bout of Resistance Exercise Is Greater when Ingesting 30 g Hydrolyzed Collagen Compared with 15 g and 0 g in Resistance-Trained Young Men

J Nutr. 2023 Nov 24:S0022-3166(23)72738-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.10.030. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Joonsung Lee¹, Jonathan C Y Tang², John Dutton³, Rachel Dunn², William D Fraser⁴, Kevin Enright¹, David R Clark⁵, Claire E Stewart¹, Robert M Erskine⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.
² Bioanalytical Facility, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK; Clinical Biochemistry, Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK.
³ Bioanalytical Facility, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
⁴ Bioanalytical Facility, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK; Clinical Biochemistry, Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK; Departments of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK.
⁵ School of Health Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK.
⁶ School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK; Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, University College London, London, UK. Electronic address: R.M.Erskine@ljmu.ac.uk.

PMID: 38007183
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.10.030

Abstract

Background: Resistance exercise (RE) stimulates collagen synthesis in skeletal muscle and tendon but there is limited and equivocal evidence regarding an effect of collagen supplementation and exercise on collagen synthesis. Furthermore, it is not known if a dose-response exists regarding the effect of hydrolyzed collagen (HC) ingestion and RE on collagen synthesis.

Objective: To determine the HC dose-response effect on collagen synthesis after high-intensity RE in resistance-trained young men.

Methods: Using a double-blind, randomized crossover design, 10 resistance-trained males (age: 26 ± 3 y; height: 1.77 ± 0.04 m; mass: 79.7 ± 7.0 kg) ingested 0 g, 15 g, or 30 g HC with 50 mg vitamin C 1 h before performing 4 sets' barbell back squat RE at 10-repetition maximum load, after which they rested for 6 h. Blood samples were collected throughout each of the 3 interventions to analyze procollagen type Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide (PINP) and β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX) concentration, and the concentration of 18 collagen amino acids.

Results: The serum PINP concentration × time area under the curve (AUC) was greater for 30 g (267 ± 79 μg·L^-1·h) than for 15 g (235 ± 70 μg·L^-1·h, P = 0.013) and 0 g HC (219 ± 88 μg·L^-1·h, P = 0.002) but there was no difference between 0 and 15 g HC (P = 0.225). The AUCs of glycine and proline were greater for 30 g than for 15 and 0 g HC (P < 0.05). Plasma β-CTX concentration decreased from -1 to +6 h (P < 0.05), with no differences between interventions.

Conclusions: Ingesting 30 g HC before high-intensity RE augments whole-body collagen synthesis more than 15 g and 0 g HC in resistance-trained young males.

Keywords: connective tissue; glycine; hydroxyproline; proline; strength training; vitamin C.