Effect of Supplementation With Alpha-amino Acid Derivatives on the Level of Systemic Inflammatory Response and Post-workout Kidney Damage in Long Distance Runners

Subject and purpose of the project. Both in sport and medicine, methods are constantly being sought that can significantly contribute to improving the ability of tissues to perform their functions. A wide range of interests include various supplementation and training protocols. In a significant way, they are to contribute to the reduction of negative post-workout changes, protecting the athlete's tissues and organs from the debilitating effect of efforts of very long duration and high intensity.

Commonly, in sports with a long duration of effort, supplementation with amino acid complexes is used, the purpose of which is to support both the metabolism of working muscles and provide building materials necessary for the functioning of muscle fibers. It was found that maintaining a proper supply of amino acids is one of the important factors protecting the human body against excessive intensification of catabolic processes.

It is also noteworthy that the imbalance between the production, supply and elimination of especially α-amino acids may contribute to the intensification of the inflammatory response and the subsequent burden of the renal tubules, which may result in damage and developing chronic renal failure.

Among the many amino acids used in sports, arginine and its metabolites deserve special attention. The role of arginine appears to increase in specific physiological states associated with disease, injury or significant strain on the body, leading to an increase in the rate of catabolic transformation Arginine plays a significant role in protein biosynthesis and detoxification processes related to ammonia removal and urea formation In addition, it was found that arginine is involved in the synthesis of proline, and may have a special effect on the body of athletes: creatine, nitric oxide, agmatine, ornithine, citrulline and glutamate. Attention is also drawn to the possible relationship between arginine and the secretion of endogenous growth hormone, insulin and glucagon . It is noteworthy that as a result of digestion, only 50% of arginine consumed with the diet after its release from proteins enters the blood, while 40% is broken down in the small intestine as a result of arginase . Part of the arginine pool in the blood plasma may come from the conversion of citrulline found in food.

In cells, arginine transport takes place via specific membrane conveyors and is competently inhibited by selected NOS inhibitors (nitric oxide synthesis) and lysine, ornithine and canvaaine. In the liver, it participates in important detoxification processes, taking part in the urea cycle, while in vascular endothelial cells it stimulates the synthesis of nitric oxide.