Supplementation of Maltotetraose Enhances Endurance Capacity and Energy Metabolism of ICR Mice.

G4 supplementation significantly improved endurance exercise performance in ICR mice.

• ICR mice were subjected to endurance training with G4 supplementation as a carbohydrate source.
• Exercise performance was measured as a key outcome, with G4-supplemented mice showing significant improvements compared to controls.
• G4 is a linear α-1,4-linked tetrasaccharide investigated as a novel carbohydrate source for sports nutrition.
• The study compared G4 against control conditions in an endurance training protocol.

G4 supplementation stabilized blood glucose levels and increased hepatic and muscular glycogen storage during endurance exercise.

• Blood glucose stabilization was identified as a key mechanistic finding underlying improved aerobic exercise capacity.
• Both hepatic (liver) and muscular glycogen stores were increased with G4 supplementation.
• Enhanced glycogen storage contributed to improved energy availability during prolonged exercise.
• These effects were described as part of the mechanistic explanation for improved endurance capacity.

G4 supplementation enhanced ATP production by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis.

• Mitochondrial biogenesis was promoted by G4 intake, leading to enhanced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production.
• This mechanism was identified as a key pathway by which G4 improved aerobic exercise capacity.
• The enhancement of energy metabolism through mitochondrial biogenesis represents a novel mechanistic finding for G4.
• ATP production enhancement was linked directly to improved endurance performance outcomes.

G4 supplementation maintained endogenous antioxidant capacity and alleviated exercise-induced tissue injury.

• Tissue injury induced by metabolic stress was alleviated with G4 supplementation.
• Endogenous antioxidant capacity was maintained in G4-supplemented mice during endurance training.
• Tissue injury markers were assessed as outcome measures in endurance-trained ICR mice.
• The antioxidant and tissue-protective effects were among the significant benefits reported for G4 supplementation.

G4 intake supported gut barrier integrity and favorably modulated gut microbiota composition.

• G4 supplementation increased the relative abundance of beneficial genera including Akkermansia and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001.
• Opportunistic pathogens including Ruminococcus and Anaerotruncus were reduced with G4 intake.
• Gut barrier integrity was maintained with G4 supplementation during endurance training.
• These gut health effects support gut homeostasis as an additional benefit of G4 beyond direct exercise performance effects.