ABSTRACT
The effects of casein non-phosphopeptide (CNPP) on the muscle development of healthy rats and selected blood hormones levels were investigated. CT technology and the ELISA kit were employed to detect the cross-sectional area of each muscle group and blood hormone levels, respectively. The cross-sectional area of the trunk and lower limb muscles of resistance exercise group (REG) rats that were administered a high daily dose of CNPP for 50 days increased more significantly than that of the blank group rats, no exercise group (NEG) rats administered with the same daily dose of CNPP, and REG rats administered with the same daily dose of lactalbumin (P < 0.05).The more enhanced development of trunk and lower limb muscles in CNPP-administered REG rats was associated with a higher blood level of insulin, while no clear trends in blood levels of growth hormone and testosterone were observed. The present results have demonstrated that a combination of physical exercise and diet supplementation with CNPP can synergistically improve muscle mass.