Distribution of Dietary Protein Intake in the Daily Diet Affects Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy via the Muscle Clock

DOI: https : //doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109336

Commentary

Throughout a typical diet, the dietary distribution of daily protein intake will be skewed. However, the physiological significance and the effect of better protein distribution on muscle mass will be unknown.

In this study, using a two-meal-per-day feeding model, it was found that protein intake in the early active phase depends on the local muscle clock and promotes muscle hypertrophy induced by overload.

Results from animal studies showed that when supplemented with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) during the early active phase, mice exhibited skeletal muscle hypertrophy, but distribution-dependent effects were not observed in clock Δ19, muscle-specific Bmal1

They also investigated the relationship between the distribution of dietary protein and muscle function, such as skeletal muscle index and grip strength in humans, and found that higher muscle function was observed in subjects who consumed dietary protein at breakfast rather than at dinner. This suggests that protein intake at breakfast may be suitable for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass.