Effects Of Enteric-Coated Sodium Bicarbonate On Anaerobic Exercise Performance And Metabolomic Characteristics Of Healthy Young Men

Objective:Studies have shown that supplementing with sodium bicarbonate before high-intensity exercise increases the body’s alkaline reserves in advance,which helps provide a base for subsequent exercise and thus promotes anaerobic performance.However,some studies have shown that gastrointestinal side effects may occur after sodium bicarbonate supplementation.Recent studies have used enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate to mitigate the effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on the gastrointestinal tract,but research on enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate is still limited.The purpose of this study was to first investigate the effects of acute supplementation with enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate versus general sodium bicarbonate on anaerobic exercise performance and to explore its differential metabolic effects by metabolomic characteristics.Then,on this basis,the intervention protocol for serial and acute supplementation of enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate was designed to investigate the effects of serial and acute intake of enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate on anaerobic exercise performance and metabolomic characteristics.This study will provide a theoretical basis and practical reference for the application of enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate.Methods:Twelve healthy young male subjects participated in the entire Experiment I.Subjects were required to participate in three acute supplementation experiments,namely the enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate group(ES),the general sodium bicarbonate group(GS),and the placebo group(PL).Subjects were required to complete acute supplementation with either a supplement or placebo prior to exercise.In Experiment II,twelve healthy young males were recruited,and each subject was required to complete three experimental groups,namely the serial supplementation with enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate(SES,5days of serial ES supplementation),the acute supplementation with enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate(AES,acute ES supplementation prior to exercise),and placebo(PL)groups.The supplementation dose in both Experiments I and II was 0.2 g/kg·BM.Using a randomized crossover design,subjects reached the prescribed time and underwent exercise tests,completing four Wingate Tests(WT).The first three WT tests(testing anaerobic capacity)were performed with a 5-minute passive recovery interval between each test.After the third WT test,subjects were asked to perform a 50-minute passive recovery,followed by a fourth WT test(testing recovery from anaerobic capacity).Blood lactate(BLA),heart rate(HR),ratings of perceived exertion(RPE),gastrointestinal-symptoms assessment questionnaire(GSAQ),and urine samples were collected before and after the exercise test.Mean power(MP)and peak power(PP)were recorded after each WT test.The data were summarized using Excel and analyzed using SPSS.Results:Experiment I:(1)MP and PP did not show a significant difference across supplemental intervention approaches(P>0.05).(2)BLA,HR,and RPE were also not significantly different in the three experimental conditions(P>0.05).(3)Among the three supplementation groups,the highest number of gastrointestinal side effects and severe symptoms occurred after general sodium bicarbonate supplementation.In contrast,subjects experienced fewer gastrointestinal side effects after enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate supplementation,with mainly mild symptoms(NRS < 5),similar to the placebo.(4)Based on the analysis of targeted metabolomics studies,at the 50 th minute after the third WT,the levels of 3-phospho-D-glycerate,D-glucose 6-phosphate,pyruvate,and cis-aconitate were significantly higher in the ES group compared with the GS group(P<0.05).The levels of3-phospho-D-glycerate,D-glucose 6-phosphate,pyruvate,and cis-aconitate were significantly decreased in the GS group compared with the PL group(P<0.05).Citrate levels in the GS group were significantly higher than in the other two groups(P<0.05).Oxaloacetate levels were significantly higher in the ES group after exercise compared to the PL group(P<0.05).Lactate levels were significantly higher in the ES group than in the PL group before the test(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference after exercise.Experiment Ⅱ:(1)Serial supplementation with enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate improved anaerobic exercise performance in the third WT based on significant increases in MP and PP(P<0.05),and acute supplementation with enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate did not affect anaerobic exercise performance(P>0.05).(2)Compared to the PL group,the AES and SES groups had a smaller effect on BLA,with no significant differences in HR and RPE between the three groups(P>0.05).(3)In the current study,the occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms after enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate supplementation was minimal and did not differ compared to placebo.In particular,no gastrointestinal side effects were observed before testing after serial enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate supplementation.(4)According to the targeted metabolomics analysis,the levels of lactate,L-malic acid,and oxaloacetate were significantly higher in the SES group than in the PL group at 50 minutes after the third WT(P<0.05).The levels of lactate and fumarate acid were significantly higher in the SES group compared with the AES group(P<0.05).Conclusion:(1)Serial supplementation with enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate improved anaerobic exercise performance in healthy young men.In contrast,acute intake of entericcoated sodium bicarbonate and general sodium bicarbonate did not improve anaerobic exercise performance.(2)Serial and acute supplementation with enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate,and acute supplementation with general sodium bicarbonate had little effect on heart rate,RPE,or blood lactate but may have a tendency to enhance lactate clearance during anaerobic exercise.In addition,acute supplementation with general sodium bicarbonate supplementation caused severe gastrointestinal side effects compared to placebo,whereas enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate supplementation caused fewer gastrointestinal symptoms at both serial and acute supplementation doses,especially no gastrointestinal side effects after serial supplementation with enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate.(3)According to targeted metabolomic analysis,serial intake of enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate was more likely to affect changes in the metabolism of lactate,L-malic acid,oxaloacetate,and fumarate,which may facilitate lactate clearance and the tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolism,thus improving the body’s substance and energy metabolism during exercise.