Effects of an ingested glutamate arginine salt on ammonemia during and after long lasting cycling

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of glutamate-arginine salt (AGs) or placebo (P1) on ammonemia during and after 1 hour exercise on sporting event bicycle under ergonomic device at 80% VO2max in 3 healthy male volunteers (age 18-25 years). Subjects were tested in three sessions, at rest after AGs and during exercise with placebo (Pl) or AGs. The subjects were given 20 g of AGs or Pl orally and 30 min later, exercised at 75-80% VO2max for 30 min. Blood samples were taken at 0, +30, +60, +90, +120 min after AGs and analyzed for ammonemia. Our results show a highly significant increase in plasma ammonia concentration during exercise. The magnitude of this increase was diminished when subjects were given AGs before the exercise session, suggesting that AGs may help reduce physiologic fatigue.