Abstract des Autors

Several studies have shown that aminoacids could be involved in the regulation of the neuroendocrine system. The purpose of our double blind study was to evaluate the effects of different long term aminoacid supplements with a balanced diet on the hormonal status of trained male athletes. Thirty-two trained male subjects were divided into four groups and followed a period of moderate training of four days a week for six weeks with a supplementation of aminoacids and/or placebo (group A: BCAA, arg, lis, orn; group B: placebo, arg, lis, orn; group C: BCAA, placebo; group D: placebo). Plasma circadian cortisol (8.00 AM and 4.00 PM), urinary free cortisol, testosterone and insulin were evaluated before and after training. The results of our study showed a significant increase in blood and urine cortisol in group A and an increase in total testosterone in group A and C after training. We did not observe any variation in the testosterone/cortisol ratio in any group examined. A decrease in insulin level was noticed only in group D. The possible influence of aminoacids on the endocrine system together with their uncontrolled use in athletes should induce to pay more attention to consider them not exclusively as structural substrate material. Verf.-Referat