The Journal of Nutrition, 1997, vol.127, iss.6, p. 1219-28 printed a study called
'Chronic exercise affects vitamin b-6 metabolism but not requirement of growing rats'.
The goal of the study was to investigate exercise-related B-6 vitamer distributition in blood and organ tissue in relation to 3 dietary vitamin b-6 levels: deficient (0 mg b-6), suboptimal (2 mg), or control (7 mg). Authors wanted to understand how blood and tissue B-6 vitamers change is necessary in order to expand knowledge of viamin B-6 and nutritional biochemistry during long-term exercise. Currently there is no clear evidence that long-term exercise increases the loss of vitamin B-6 from the system.
The scope of the study included all rats on a 9 week diet of a blend of 62% carbohydrate, 25% as casein, and 13% as vegetable or animal fat with the b-6 levels mentioned above. Some of the rats were trained to swim and others were sedentary. The swimming protocal was for 1 hour a day, 6 days/week, for 9 weeks. Exercise intensity was increased each week by adding 1% of the rats body weight up, maxing at 6%. While the exercise rats were swimming, the sedentary rats had food withheld for that hour.
Urine samples were collected from both groups of rats as were a collection of blood and tissues. The tissue samples were from the heart, liver, kidney, gastrocnemius muscle, adrenal glands, and the brain. Epididymal fat pads were also removed from the rats to study the effect of exercise and vitamin B-6 intake on fat deposition.
Conclusions showed that training seems to alter vitamin B-6 metabolism as indicated by higher muscle PLP concentrations in the gastrocnemius and reduced liver PLP concentrations in the exercising rats. However, the amounts of b-6 in the other organs were not significantly higher in the exercising rats to conclude that additional b-6 intake is necessary throughtout the body in those that exercise long-term.
What I didn't learn from the study is what role does B-6 play in the muscle? I actually asked myself the follow questions:
If concentrations of B-6 are higher in a trained muscle how, and what part of the muscle, is using the b-6? Is it for contractions? for repair?
It was difficult to seafind b-6 or b-12 specific studies related to muscle metabolism. As I read this study, the authors referenced a few studies done over the years that each show inconclusive evidence that a person who exercises long-term would need to focus on additional intake of vitamin B-6.
I found this study by searching the CR library database PROQUEST.
I think its pretty wild that a lot of research affecting bones and muscles come from experiments conducted on rats. However, i understand it because the longitive needed for these test is not reasonable within the human life span.Just a random thought.
ReplyDeleteThe article itself was very detailed and i agrees with their hypothesis that there is in fact a correlation between exercise and B6 metabolism. so the conclusion of the test is that in chronic exercise the individual(rat) needs to intake additional B6? Also i agree with your questions because this article left room for much more needed research. Really enjoyed your post.
I'm assuming that B-6 would be used in muscle metabolism for energy. From what I gather, B6 is needed in greater quantity for exercisers because they are using more nutrients to sustain activity and there are greater demands on the muscles. Interesting study for sure.
ReplyDeleteI, also,have had a difficult time finding articles specific to my micronutrient and muscle metabolism. Many of the studies have been done on pigs and I've chosen, at this point, not to use them on my blog.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Ashley: The study pinpointed the gastrocnemius muscle and found that b6 amounts were used in higher concentrations in this muscle than in the tissue and organs tested.
ReplyDeleteLiz is suggesting that the increase in B6 is needed for muscle metabolism specific to contractions and energy demands on the muscle fibers.