Potential Synergistic Effect of Combined Blood Flow Restriction Training and Betaine Supplementation on Skeletal Muscle
Condition: Blood Flow Restriction Training; Betaine Supplementation
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of the study is to determine whether there is a synergistic effect via combining
      both low-load blood flow restriction (BFR) training and betaine supplementation loading
      (6g/day for 14 days) on skeletal muscle anabolic signaling pathways that is mediated by
      enhancements in intracellular water. These effects are proposed to be greater than either BFR
      training or betaine supplementation alone or compared to control conditions (high-load
      non-occluded and/or placebo supplementation).
    

Detailed description: 
      The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether the combination of blood flow
      restriction (BFR) training and betaine supplementation can synergistically augment
      phosphorylated targets associated with mechanotransduction and/or muscle protein synthesis
      relative to either modality alone and compared against control conditions (standard
      "high-intensity" resistance training and placebo supplementation) in healthy young males.
      Secondly, the investigators aim to determine if any potential synergistic effects are
      mediated by enhanced intracellular fluid volumes, as determined by the changes in water
      content between hydrated and dehydrated muscle samples, as well as through changes in both
      muscle and serum betaine concentrations. Finally, the investigators aim to assess differences
      in the aforementioned interventions on specific gene targets, the betaine/γ-aminobutyric acid
      transporter, myosin heavy chain I, IIa, and IIx lactate dehydrogenase A. Therefore, the
      specific aims of this study are to determine in healthy, young males: 1) whether combined BFR
      training and betaine supplementation significantly augment mechanotransductive
      growth-associated post-translational protein modifications via extra-to-intracellular fluid
      flux, alongside 2) potentially altered gene expression that otherwise characterizes
      phenotypical/biochemical changes in skeletal muscle.

      The specific aims of the study are to determine whether:

        1. The combination of BFR training and betaine supplementation demonstrates significantly
           greater phosphorylated FAK, ERK1/2, IRS1, and p70S6K, commensurate with greater
           wet-to-dry hydration changes, relative to any other combinations between BFR training,
           standard "high-load" training, betaine supplementation, and/or placebo ingestion.

        2. The combination of BFR training and betaine supplementation will result in increased
           MYH2 gene expression, alongside decreases in MYH7 and MYH1 expression. Furthermore, this
           combination will also result in the highest degree of HIF-1 and Ldha, as well as the
           lowest BGT-1 gene expression relative to baseline levels.

        3. The combination of BFR training and betaine supplementation will result in a higher
           load-volume accumulated relative to BFR-alone, and will not be statistically different
           than high-load-placebo training. Therein, the high-load-betaine group will have the
           greatest load-volume amidst any other combination of conditions.
    

Intervention name(s): Betaine; Placebo
Intervention type(s): Dietary Supplement; Other
Intervention description(s): 3g/ twice daily (separated by ~12 hours) betaine anhydrous; 3g/ twice daily (separated by ~12 hours) cellulose placebo
Intervention MeSH terms: Betaine
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Other