ABSTRACT
To investigate the potential health risks associated with recommended or overdoses of amino acids mixture such as Power Mix [PM], Branched Chain Amino Acids [BCAAs] or Ceratine [Cr] supplementation as ergogenic aids for short or long-term rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned into two major groups; the first group was orally treated with the above mentioned supplements for six weeks [short-term], and the second group was treated similarly but for twelve weeks [long-term]. Each of the short- and long-term group was subdivided into seven subgroups which were treated as follows: PM [0.8 g/kg/day], PM [2.4 g/kg/day], BCAAs [0.2 g/kg/day]. BCAAs 0.6 g/kg/day], Cr [2 g/kg/day], Cr [6 g/kg/day] and controls [kept without treatment]. Plasma amino acids levels beside renal, thyroid, adrenal, and hepatic functions were estimated. Significant elevation in total amino acids concentration was found as result of feeding with the three dietary supplements. Results showed significant increase in serum creatinine level in rats ingested with these ergogenic aids except the low dose of PM given for short- or long-term. High doses of the three supplements given for both short- and long-term and low doses of BCAAs and Cr given for long-term caused significant elevation in serum uric acid level. Significant increase in serum NAG activity was observed among the three dietary supplements. Also, significant rise in serum AST and ALT activities was obtained after feeding the three dietary supplements except the low dose of PM given for short-term. Serum T3 level was significantly increased by feeding BCAAs or Cr in high doses for long-term. None of the three supplements exerted significant change in serum TSH and T4 levels. High doses of PM, BCAAs or Cr given for either short- or long-term caused significant increase in serum corticosterone and significant decrease in plasma ACTH levels. The three dietary supplements resulted in significant increase in cytosolic AST and ALT activities except the low dose of PM given for short- and long-term as well as low dose of BCAAs and Cr given for short-term. The three dietary supplement except low dose of PM fed for short-term, caused significant rise in mitochondrial AST activity. This study showed that supplementation of high-dose of PM, BCAAs or Cr given for long-term as ergogenic aids induced renal and hepatic damage as well hormonal disturbances