Effect of the supplementation of fructose and taurine on energy metabolism during exercise

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate whether taurine supplementation in combination with fructose improves both energy metabolism and exercise capacity. Eight collegiate female subjects were recruited for the study. Each subject went through threecross-over designs: control(fluid), fructose, and taurine plus fructose supplementation trials. Subjects received taurine supplementation 100 mg/kg a day for two weeks. After the supplementation, all subjects take 10% fructose at 15 min prior to exercise, immediately before exercise, and every 15 min during exercise. Subjects received 150 ml fluid as placebo during the same procedure. The subjects performed submaximal exercise at the exercise intensity of 60% for 45 min and then 80% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) until exhaustion time. A 10ml blood sample was taken for measuring the level of glucose, ammonia, lactate, free fatty acids, and insulin every 15 min during exercise at 60% of VO_2max. The blood glucose levels was significantly higher at 45 min and 50 min exercise after supplementation of fructose, and immediately before exercise and 50 min exercise after taurine plus fructose compared to the placebo trial. However, the values tended to be lower in taurine plus fructose supplementation compared to the fructose trial. The levels of both lactate and ammonia were significantly lower compared to the placebo, while the exhaustion time was significantly increased. The level of free-fatty acids was significantly lower at 30, 45, and 50 min after fructoseand fructose plus taurine supplementation compared to the placebo trial. The level of glucagon was significantly lower at 15, 30, 45, and 50 min after fructose and fructose plus taurine supplementation compared to the placebo trial. There was no differences in insulin concentration among three treatments. This thesis concludes that combined taurine and fructose supplementation prior to exercise may improve exercise tolerance time and energy metabolism, lowering the muscle fatigue factors such as lactate and ammonia.