Predictive Metabolomics Evaluation of Nutrition-Modulated Metabolic Stress Responses in Human Blood Serum During the Early Recovery Phase of Strenuous Physical Exercise

We have investigated whether postexercise ingestion of carbohydrates in combination with proteins generates a different systemic metabolic response, as compared to the sole ingestion of carbohydrate or water, in the early recovery phase following exercise. In addition, metabolic patterns related to fitness level were studied together with individual responses to nutritional modulation. Twenty-four male subjects were exposed to 90 min of ergometer-cycling. Each participant was subject to four identical test-sessions, including ingestion of one of four beverages (water, low-carbohydrate beverage, high-carbohydrate beverage, and low-carbohydrate-protein beverage (LCHO-P)) immediately after cycling. Blood was collected at six time points, one pre- and five postexercise. Extracted blood serum was subject to metabolomic characterization by gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF MS). Data was processed using hierarchical multivariate curve resolution (HMCR), and multivariate statistical analysis was carried out using orthogonal partial least-squares (OPLS). Predictive metabolomics, including predictive HMCR and OPLS classification, was applied to ensure efficient sample processing and validation of detected metabolic patterns. Separation of subjects in relation to ingested beverage was detected and interpreted. Pseudouridine was suggested as a novel marker for pro-anabolic effect following LCHO-P ingestion, which was supported by the detected decrease of the catabolic marker 3-methylhistidine. Separation of subjects according to fitness level was achieved, and nutritional modulation by LCHO-P was shown to improve the metabolic status of less fit subjects in the recovery phase. In addition, the potential of the methodology for detection of early signs of insulin resistance was also demonstrated.