Methods and Composition for Increasing Muscle Protein Synthesis and/or Functional Strength in Mammals

Abstract

A method and composition for preserving muscle mass and function by increasing muscle protein synthesis and/or decreasing muscle protein degradation in mammals is disclosed. In one embodiment, the mammals are administered a protein building composition comprising at least two of an essential amino acid, an amino acid derivative, and a nitrogenous organic acid. In a particular embodiment, the protein building composition comprises leucine, L-carnitine, and creatine. The protein building composition can decrease TNF-α and increase mTOR expression in muscle.

1 . A method for increasing muscle protein synthesis in healthy mammals, the method comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a protein building composition, said protein building composition comprising an amino acid derivative comprising carnitine, combined with, a nitrogenous organic acid or derivative thereof
 wherein the carnitine comprises carnitine, derivatives of carnitine, and/or salts thereof,   wherein the carnitine is present in the protein building composition in a concentration greater than about 45% by mass; and   wherein the nitrogenous organic acid or derivative thereof is present in the protein building composition at a concentration greater than about 15% by mass.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid derivative comprises L-carnitine. 
     
     
         5 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the nitrogenous organic acid comprises creatine. 
     
     
         6 . A method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the nitrogenous organic acid comprises magnesium chelated creatine. 
     
     
         7 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the protein building composition further comprises magnesium or salts thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the protein building composition further comprises vitamin D. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the protein building composition is contained in a food product or beverage. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the protein building composition is administered at least every one to three days. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the protein building composition is administered one to four times a day. 
     
     
         16 . A method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein L-carnitine is administered to the mammal in an amount from 50 milligrams to 5,000 milligrams per dose. 
     
     
         17 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising leucine, wherein the leucine is administered to the mammal in an amount from 5 milligrams to 5,000 milligrams per dose. 
     
     
         18 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         21 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein L-carnitine is administered to the mammal in an amount from 50 milligrams to 5,000 milligrams per dose. 
     
     
         26 . A method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein leucine is administered to the mammal in an amount from 100 milligrams to 4,000 milligrams per dose. 
     
     
         27 . A method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein creatine is administered to the mammal in an amount from 50 milligrams to 5,000 milligrams per dose. 
     
     
         28 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the protein building composition is administered to the mammal in an amount sufficient to increase lean muscle mass in the mammal. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the protein building composition is administered to the mammal in an amount sufficient to decrease the amount of TNF-α in the muscles. 
     
     
         33 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the protein building composition is administered to the mammal in an amount sufficient to increase mTOR expression in the muscles. 
     
     
         34 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein mTOR expression is increased by greater than 40% after activity in comparison to the same mammal that has not received the protein building composition. 
     
     
         35 .- 80 . (canceled) 
     
     
         81 . A method for increasing skeletal muscle protein synthesis in healthy mammals, the method comprising administering to the healthy mammal a protein building composition, said protein building composition consisting of:
 an amino acid derivative, wherein the amino acid derivative is L-carnitine, derivatives of L-carnitine, and/or salts thereof, and a nitrogenous organic acid, wherein the nitrogenous organic acid is creatine, derivatives and/or analogs of creatine, or salts thereof, and   optionally vitamin D and/or at least one excipient,   wherein the carnitine is present in the protein building composition in a concentration greater than about 45% by mass; and   wherein the nitrogenous organic acid or derivative thereof is present in the protein building composition at a concentration greater than about 15% by mass.   
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the at least one excipient comprises an antiadherent, a binder, a synthetic polymer, a coating, a coloring agent, a disintegrant, a filler, a flavoring agent, a glidant, a lubricant, a preservative, a sorbent, a sweetener, a vehicle, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the amino acid derivative is administered to the healthy mammal in an amount from 50 milligrams to 5,000 milligrams per dose, and the nitrogenous organic acid is administered to the healthy mammal in an amount from 50 milligrams to 5,000 milligrams per dose. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the weight ratio of the carnitine to the creatine is between about 1:1 and about 5:1. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of the carnitine to the creatine is between about 1:1 and about 5:1. 
     
     
         86 . A composition for increasing muscle protein synthesis in healthy mammals, the composition comprising an amino acid derivative comprising carnitine, combined with a nitrogenous organic acid or derivative thereof
 wherein the carnitine comprises carnitine, derivatives of carnitine, and/or salts thereof;   wherein the carnitine is present in the protein building composition in a concentration greater than about 45% by mass; and   wherein the nitrogenous organic acid or derivative thereof is present in the protein building composition at a concentration greater than about 15% by mass.   
     
     
         87 . The composition of  claim 86 , wherein the weight ratio of the carnitine to the creatine is between about 1:1 and about 5:1.