黃耆人參皂苷萃取物對乳清蛋白藥物動力學之影響及肌肉功能之改善

由於目前針對黃耆人參皂苷萃取物(APS)對人體胺基酸吸收之研究仍有限，本研究旨在探討APS是否具促進胺基酸吸收之潛力，進而提升肌肉蛋白質合成，並改善肌肉功能。研究採隨機雙盲交叉設計，分為即時補充與長期補充，招募18-80歲健康成年人，進行3小時乳清蛋白藥物動力學測定與肌肉功能評估。以Baseline為即時補充，4週為長期補充，受試者每日補充2次(分別於早上空腹及阻力運動訓練後)，每次服用1顆APS膠囊或安慰劑，並搭配乳清蛋白，為期4週，再經排空期4週後，交叉換組。結果顯示，無論為即時補充或長期補充，APS組相較於安慰劑組，纈胺酸(Valine)、白胺酸(Leucine)與異白胺酸(Isoleucine)之AUC與Cmax (異白胺酸除外)皆有增加，Tmax亦有提前。長期補充4週後，APS組內握力(Grip strength)顯著提升5.20% (p<0.01)、肌肉質量(Muscle mass)增加0.85%，以及解連蛋白(Zonulin)濃度顯著下降13.91% (p=0.029)。綜合以上結果，長期補充APS有助於增進人體胺基酸吸收與腸道健康，進而提升肌肉蛋白質合成與肌肉功能。

Given the limited research on the effects of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng saponin extracts (APS) on amino acid absorption in humans, this study aimed to explore the potential of APS in facilitating amino acid absorption, thereby promoting muscle protein synthesis and improving muscle function. A randomized, double-blind, crossover design was employed, including immediate and long-term supplementation. Healthy adults aged 18 to 80 were recruited to undergo a 3-hour pharmacokinetic assessment following whey protein supplementation and a muscle function evaluation. Immediate effects were assessed at baseline, and long-term effects were evaluated after four weeks of daily supplementation. Subjects consumed one APS capsule or placebo along with whey protein twice daily (once in the morning in a fasted state and once after resistance training). Following a 4-week washout period, participants crossed over to the alternate intervention. The results indicated that APS supplementation, both immediate and long-term, led to increased AUC and Cmax for valine and leucine, and increased AUC but not Cmax for isoleucine. Additionally, Tmax values for all three amino acids occurred earlier than in the placebo group. A significant within-group difference was observed in the APS group after four weeks of long-term supplementation, including a 5.20% increase in grip strength (p<0.01), a 0.85% increase in muscle mass, and a 13.91% decrease in zonulin concentration (p=0.029). In conclusion, long-term APS supplementation may enhance amino acid absorption and intestinal health, thereby supporting muscle protein synthesis and improving muscle function in healthy adults.