We examined the response of net muscle protein synthesis to ingestion of am
ino acids after a bout of resistance exercise. A primed, constant infusion
of L-[ring-H-2(5)]phenylalanine was used to measure net muscle protein bala
nce in three male and three female volunteers on three occasions. Subjects
consumed in random order 1 liter of 1) a mixed amino acid (40 g) solution (
MAA), 2) an essential amino acid (40 g) solution (EAA), and 3) a placebo so
lution (PLA). Arterial amino acid concentrations increased similar to 150-6
40% above baseline during ingestion of MAA and EAA. Net muscle protein bala
nce was significantly increased from negative during PLA ingestion (-50 +/-
23 nmol.min(-1).100 ml leg volume(-1)) to positive during MAA ingestion (1
7 +/- 13 nmol.min(-1).100 ml leg volume(-1)) and EAA (29 +/- 14 nmol.min-(1
).100 ml leg volume(-1); P < 0.05). Because net balance was similar for MAA
and EAA, it does not appear necessary to include nonessential amino acids
in a formulation designed to elicit an anabolic response from muscle after
exercise. We concluded that ingestion of oral essential amino acids results
in a change from net muscle protein degradation to net muscle protein synt
hesis after heavy resistance exercise in humans similar to that seen when t
he amino acids were infused.