Caffeinated nitric oxide-releasing lozenge improves cycling time trial performance

Nitric oxide enhancement supplement containing beet nitrite and nitrate benefits high intensity cycle interval training

This study investigated the effects of a beet nitric oxide enhancing (NOE) supplement comprised of nitrite and nitrate on cycling performance indices in trained cyclists.

METHODS

Subjects completed a lactate threshold test and a high-intensity interval (HIIT) protocol at 50% above functional threshold power with or without oral NOE supplement.

RESULTS

NOE supplementation enhanced lactate threshold by 7.2% (Placebo = 191.6 ± 37.3 W, NOE = 205.3 ± 39.9; p = 0.01; Effect Size (ES) = 0.40). During the HIIT protocol, NOE supplementation improved time to exhaustion 18% (Placebo = 1251 ± 562s, NOE = 1474 ± 504s; p = 0.02; ES = 0.42) and total energy expended 22.3% (Placebo = 251 ± 48.6 kJ, NOE = 306.6 ± 55.2 kJ; p = 0.01; ES = 1.079). NOE supplementation increased the intervals completed (Placebo = 7.00 ± 2.5, NOE = 8.14 ± 2.4; p = 0.03; ES = 0.42) and distance cycled (Placebo = 10.9 ± 4.0 km, NOE = 13.5 ± 3.9 km; p = 0.01; ES = 0.65). Also, target power was achieved at a higher cadence during the HIIT work and rest periods (p = 0.02), which enhanced muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) recovery. Time-to-fatigue was negatively correlated with the degree of SmO₂, desaturation during the HIIT work interval segment (r = -0.67; p 0.008), while both SmO₂ desaturation and the SmO₂ starting work segment saturation level correlated with a cyclist's kJ expended (SmO₂ desaturation: r = -0.51, p = 0.06; SmO₂ starting saturation: r = 0.59, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

NOE supplementation containing beet nitrite and nitrate enhanced submaximal (lactate threshold) and HIIT maximal effort work. The NOE supplementation resulted in a cyclist riding at higher cadence rates with lower absolute torque values at the same power during both the work and rest periods, which in-turn delayed over-all fatigue and improved total work output.

Significant Impact of Coffee Consumption on MR-Based Measures of Cardiac Function in a Population-Based Cohort Study without Manifest Cardiovascular Disease

Subclinical effects of coffee consumption (CC) with regard to metabolic, cardiac, and neurological complications were evaluated using a whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol. A blended approach was used to estimate habitual CC in a population-based study cohort without a history of cardiovascular disease. Associations of CC with MRI markers of gray matter volume, white matter hyperintensities, cerebral microhemorrhages, total and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), hepatic proton density fat fraction, early/late diastolic filling rate, end-diastolic/-systolic and stroke volume, ejection fraction, peak ejection rate, and myocardial mass were evaluated by linear regression. In our analysis with 132 women and 168 men, CC was positively associated with MR-based cardiac function parameters including late diastolic filling rate, stroke volume (p < 0.01 each), and ejection fraction (p < 0.05) when adjusting for age, sex, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, cholesterol, and alcohol consumption. CC was inversely associated with VAT independent of demographic variables and cardiovascular risk factors (p < 0.05), but this association did not remain significant after additional adjustment for alcohol consumption. CC was not significantly associated with potential neurodegeneration. We found a significant positive and independent association between CC and MRI-based systolic and diastolic cardiac function. CC was also inversely associated with VAT but not independent of alcohol consumption.

Update on Gaseous Signaling Molecules Nitric Oxide and Hydrogen Sulfide: Strategies to Capture their Functional Activity for Human Therapeutics

Discovery of the production of gaseous molecules, such as nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide, within the human body began a new concept in cellular signaling. Over the past 30 years, these molecules have been investigated and found to have extremely important beneficial effects in numerous chronic diseases. Gaseous signaling molecules that diffuse in three dimensions apparently contradict the selectivity and specificity afforded by normal ligand receptor binding and activation. This new concept has also created hurdles in the development of safe and efficacious drug therapy based on these molecules. Mechanisms involving formation of more stable intermediates and second messengers allow for new strategies for safe and effective delivery of these molecules for human disease. The purpose of this review is to highlight the biologic effects of nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide, their seemingly indistinguishable effects, and how these molecules can be safely harnessed for drug development and precursors or substrates administered for human consumption through applied physiology.

Administration of Caffeine in Alternate Forms

There has been recent interest in the ergogenic effects of caffeine delivered in low doses (~ 200 mg or ~ 3 mg/kg body mass) and administered in forms other than capsules, coffee and sports drinks, including chewing gum, bars, gels, mouth rinses, energy drinks and aerosols. Caffeinated chewing gum is absorbed quicker through the buccal mucosa compared with capsule delivery and absorption in the gut, although total caffeine absorption over time is not different. Rapid absorption may be important in many sporting situations. Caffeinated chewing gum improved endurance cycling performance, and there is limited evidence that repeated sprint cycling and power production may also be improved. Mouth rinsing with caffeine may stimulate nerves with direct links to the brain, in addition to caffeine absorption in the mouth. However, caffeine mouth rinsing has not been shown to have significant effects on cognitive performance. Delivering caffeine with mouth rinsing improved short-duration, high-intensity, repeated sprinting in normal and depleted glycogen states, while the majority of the literature indicates no ergogenic effect on aerobic exercise performance, and resistance exercise has not been adequately studied. Studies with caffeinated energy drinks have generally not examined the individual effects of caffeine on performance, making conclusions about this form of caffeine delivery impossible. Caffeinated aerosol mouth and nasal sprays may stimulate nerves with direct brain connections and enter the blood via mucosal and pulmonary absorption, although little support exists for caffeine delivered in this manner. Overall, more research is needed examining alternate forms of caffeine delivery including direct measures of brain activation and entry of caffeine into the blood, as well as more studies examining trained athletes and female subjects.

Nitric oxide enhancement strategies

It is becoming increasingly clear that many diseases are characterized or associated with perturbations in nitric oxide (NO) production/signaling. Therapeutics or strategies designed to restore normal NO homeostasis will likely have broad application and utility. This highly complex and multistep pathway for NO production and subsequent target activation provides many steps in the endogenous pathway that may be useful targets for drug development for cardiovascular disease, antimicrobial, cancer, wound healing, etc. This article will summarize known strategies that are currently available or in development for enhancing NO production or availability in the human body. Each strategy will be discussed including exogenous sources of NO, use of precursors to promote NO production and downstream pathways affected by NO production with advantages and disadvantages highlighted for each. Development of NO-based therapeutics is and will continue to be a major focus of biotech, academia as well as pharmaceutical companies. Application of safe and effective strategies will certainly transform health and disease.