Publication:

以代謝體學探討山苦瓜的投予對運動選手引起之代謝改變

代謝體學為近年來生命科學研究之新興領域，利用高靈敏、可快速大量分析之小分子精密分析儀器，藉由全圖譜之呈現，而可以進行生命體內各種小分子代謝化合物之全面性偵測分析，藉此推測代謝途徑的變化。苦瓜 (Momordica charantia) 為熱帶地區常見之蔬菜，許多研究已証實山苦瓜具有調控血糖與血脂恆定的效果，並發現山苦瓜可降低小鼠之體脂肪含量、提高小鼠氧氣消耗量及能量代謝相關基因的表現。本計畫目的在以代謝體學為研究工具，探討山苦瓜的投予對中長跑選手造成之代謝變化，並評估其做為運動增能劑之潛力。本計畫以隨機雙盲之實驗設計，進行兩週的山苦瓜膠囊或安慰劑補充試驗。於實驗前後分別測量身體組成與耐力運動表現，並於休息與運動狀態分別進行呼吸氣體分析與收集血液樣品供LCMS分析。在代謝體學分析結果中，本研究發現山苦瓜補充組血液中雙肽類化合物濃度增加，長鏈脂肪酸、長鏈酰基脂肪酸酯的肉鹼衍生物、固醇類化合物、磷脂質類化合物與脂質氧化產物則顯著較少，顯示山苦瓜補充可能具有促進各能量營養素分解以提升供能之效率，並減少氧化產物堆積之效果。雖山苦瓜補充並未造成運動表現成績顯著增加，對身體組成也未見顯著影響，但本研究提供了山苦瓜可能促進運動選手能量利用之初步證據。

Metabolomics is an emerging field in recently life science research. By the reveal of full-range spectrums of high sensitive and fast instruments, it can be applied in the overall detection of variable small metabolic molecules in all organic body. Then the changed metabolic pathway will be detected. Wild bitter gourd ((Momordica charantia, BG) is a common tropical vegetable. The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of various preparations of BG has been reported. It has been shown that wild bitter gourd increased O2 consumption and mRNA expression of genes related to mitochondria biogenesis and energy metabolism of mice. The purpose of this study is to explore the metabolic change in the middle- and long-distance runners by using metabolomics as study model and to elucidate the potential of being a kind of ergogenic aid. According a randomized and double-blinded design, we provided the capsules of bitter gourd powder (BGP) or placebo for the middle- and long-distance runners for two weeks. We analyzed the body composition, performance of endurance exercise, respiration gas and blood samples in the beginning and the end. From the LCMS metabolomics data, we found the dipeptides contents in the serum samples were higher in the BGP group. The long-chain fatty acids, its carnitine derivatives, steroids, phosphatidylserine, and oxidized lipids were lower. It indicated the efficiency of energy provision from each energy nutrient were increased, and the accumulation of oxidized products were decreased through the bitter gourd supplement. Although the exercise performance and body composition were not changed, this study provided tentative evidence of promoting energy utilization of the wild bitter gourd in the athletes.