The Claim

Ractopamine administration at 20 ppm in feed for up to 27 days in growing female pigs significantly increases asparagine synthetase (ASNS) mRNA and protein expression in the Longissimus Dorsi skeletal muscle, with mRNA peaking at day 3 and protein elevated at day 7.

Source: The Beta-adrenergic agonist, Ractopamine, increases skeletal muscle expression of Asparagine Synthetase as part of an integrated stress response gene program

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
19score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

How it works
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Feeding growing female pigs ractopamine at 20 parts per million for up to 27 days increases the levels of asparagine synthetase mRNA and protein in the Longissimus Dorsi muscle, with mRNA levels highest on day 3 and protein levels elevated by day 7.

See the scientific wording

Ractopamine administration at 20 ppm in feed for up to 27 days in growing female pigs significantly increases asparagine synthetase (ASNS) mRNA and protein expression in the Longissimus Dorsi skeletal muscle, with mRNA peaking at day 3 and protein elevated at day 7, suggesting a role in amino acid metabolism adaptation during anabolic stimulation.

Why this might work

Ractopamine binds to receptors on muscle cells, triggering a chain reaction that increases a signaling molecule called cAMP. This activates a protein that turns on a gene called ATF5, which then directly switches on the gene for asparagine synthetase. The enzyme made from this gene produces asparagine, helping the muscle maintain amino acid balance during increased protein building.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: The Beta-adrenergic agonist, Ractopamine, increases skeletal muscle expression of Asparagine Synthetase as part of an integrated stress response gene program

    When pigs were fed ractopamine, their muscles made more of a special enzyme called ASNS that helps create the amino acid asparagine—exactly what the claim says. This happened at the right times (day 3 for gene, day 7 for protein), so the drug is clearly causing this change.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

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