Single Ingestion of Trehalose Enhances Prolonged Exercise Performance by Effective Use of Glucose and Lipid in Healthy Men

Abstract

Trehalose increases blood glucose levels slowly and induces a slight insulin response. The present study aimed to study the effect of trehalose on prolonged exercise performance. The participants were 12 healthy men (age: 21.3 ± 0.9 y). After an overnight fast (12 h), they first exercised with a constant load (intensity: 40% V˙O₂peak) for 60 min using a bicycle ergometer. They continued to exercise with a constant load (40% V˙O₂peak) for 30 min between four sets of the 30-s Wingate test. After the 1st set, each participant ingested 500 mL water (control), 8% glucose, or 8% trehalose in three trials. These three trials were at least one week apart and were conducted in a double-blind and randomized crossover manner. Blood was collected for seven biochemical parameters at 12 time points during the experiment. The area under the curve of adrenaline after ingestion of trehalose was significantly lower than that for water and tended to be lower than that for glucose in the later stage of the exercise. Lower secretion of adrenaline after a single dose of 8% trehalose during prolonged exercise reflected the preservation of carbohydrates in the body in the later stage of the exercise. In conclusion, a single ingestion of trehalose helped to maintain prolonged exercise performance.

Keywords: blood glucose; catecholamine; exercise performance; fat utilization; insulin; trehalose.

Figure 2

Wingate test.

Figure 1

Experimental design. This cycling exercise protocol is a combination of constant-load exercise and the Wingate test. The intensity of the constant load was set at 40% $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O₂peak for 60 min and 30 min × 3 times. A total of four sets of the Wingate test (30-s × 3 times) were performed. After the 1st Wingate test, the participants ingested a trial drink. Expired gas was collected at rest (I) and in the latter 15 min of the 60 min and 30 min constant-load exercise (II–V). The 12 points (①–⑫) indicated blood sample collection, RPE measurements, and Borg scale measurements.

Figure 3

Average power assessments. W—water; G—glucose; T—trehalose. Comparison of mean power values in the Wingate test (2–4 sets) in each trial (water (W), glucose (G), trehalose (T)). The mean of three performances in each set (2nd, 3rd, and 4th) were compared when the first mean power value in the 1st set of the Wingate test (1st) was set at 100 in each trial. (n = 12); W vs. T: * p < 0.05.

Figure 4

Changes in blood glucose levels for each trial. W—water; G—glucose; T—trehalose. Changes in blood glucose levels in each trial (water (W), glucose (G), trehalose (T)). Comparison between (a) measurements and (b) area under the curve (AUC) values ④–⑫ of each trial. (n = 12); W vs. G: * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01; W vs. T: ^† p < 0.05, ^†† p < 0.01; G vs. T: ^‡ p < 0.05.

Figure 5

Changes in insulin levels for each trial. W—water; G—glucose; T—trehalose. Changes in insulin levels in each trial (water (W), glucose (G), trehalose (T)). Comparison between (a) measurements and (b) area under the curve (AUC) values ④–⑫ of each trial (n = 12). W vs. G: * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01; W vs. T: ^† p < 0.05, ^†† p < 0.01; G vs. T: ^‡ p < 0.05.

Figure 6

Changes in FFA levels for each trial. W—water; G—glucose; T—trehalose. Changes in free fatty acid level (FFA) in each trial (water (W), glucose (G), trehalose (T)). Comparison between (a) measurements and (b) area under the curve (AUC) values ④–⑫ of each trial (n = 12). W vs. G: * p < 0.05; W vs. T: ^† p < 0.05, ^††† p < 0.001.

Figure 7

Changes in adrenaline levels for each trial. W—water; G—glucose; T—trehalose. Changes in adrenaline levels in each trial (water (W), glucose (G), trehalose (T)). Comparison between (a) measurements and (b) area under the curve (AUC) values ④–⑫ of each trial (n = 12); W vs. G: * p < 0.05; W vs. T: ^† p < 0.05, ^††† p < 0.001.

Figure 8

Changes in noradrenaline levels for each trial. W—water; G—glucose; T—trehalose. Changes in noradrenaline levels in each trial (water (W), glucose (G), trehalose (T)). Comparison between (a) measurements and (b) area under the curve (AUC) values ④–⑫ of each trial (n = 12); W vs. T: ^† p < 0.05.

Figure 9

Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) assessments. W—water; G—glucose; T—trehalose. Comparison of RER for each trial (water (W), glucose (G), and trehalose (T)) (n = 12). Significance was found in the main effect only in IV (p < 0.05). In the Bonferroni multiple comparison test, there was no significant difference between the trials, but there was a significant trend in trial W vs. trial G (p = 0.080, d = 0.99), suggesting that the percentage of the use of carbohydrate was higher than that in trial T.

Figure 10

Energy expenditure (EE) assessments. W—water; G—glucose; T—trehalose. Comparison of mean EE (kcal/min) in each trial (water (W), glucose (G), trehalose (T)) in III–V (n = 12).

Figure 11

Glucose oxidation (CHO) assessments. W—water; G—glucose; T—trehalose. Comparison of CHO (g/min) in each trial (water (W), glucose (G), and trehalose (T)) in III, IV, and V (n = 12). W vs. G: * p < 0.05.

Figure 12

Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) assessments. W—water; G—glucose; T—trehalose. Comparison of FAO (g/min) in each trial (water (W), glucose (G) and trehalose (T)) in III, IV, and V (n = 12). W vs. G: * p < 0.05.