Cognitive Performance and Mood Following Ingestion of a Theacrine-Containing Dietary Supplement, Caffeine, or Placebo by Young Men and Women

The role of supervision and motivation during exercise on physical and mental health in older adults: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (PRO-Training project)

BACKGROUND

Although supervised exercise is frequently recommended for older adults, its superiority over unsupervised exercise remains uncertain. Furthermore, whether motivational techniques could help to enhance the effectiveness of the latter remains to be elucidated. The present randomized controlled trial aims to determine the role of supervision and motivational strategies on the safety, adherence, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of different exercise programs for improving physical and mental health in older adults.

METHODS

Participants (n = 120, aged 60-75 years) will be randomly allocated into five groups: 1-Control (CON), 2-Supervised exercise without motivational intervention (SUP), 3- Supervised exercise with motivational intervention (SUP +), 4- Unsupervised exercise without motivational intervention (UNSUP) and 5- Unsupervised exercise with motivational intervention (UNSUP +). Over 24 weeks, all exercise groups will participate in a multicomponent exercise program three times/week (performed in group classes at a center for SUP and SUP + , or home without supervision but with the help of a mobile app for UNSUP and UNSUP +), while the CON group will maintain their usual lifestyle. The motivational intervention (for SUP + and UNSUP + groups) will be based on the self-determination theory, including strategies such as phone calls, interactive workshops, motivational messages, informative infographics and videos. Primary outcomes will include safety, adherence, costs, and lower-body muscular function using a leg press machine. Secondary outcomes will include upper-body muscular function, physical and cardiorespiratory function, blood pressure and heart rate, body composition, health-related quality of life, cognitive performance, anxiety, depression, physical activity levels, sleep and sedentarism, biochemical markers, motivators and barriers to exercise. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, mid-intervention (i.e., week 13), at the end of the intervention (i.e., week 25), and 24 weeks later (i.e., week 49).

DISCUSSION

The findings of this trial might provide valuable insights into the role of supervision and motivational strategies on the effectiveness of exercise programs for older adults. Additionally, the study could contribute to developing cost-effective interventions, supporting the design of future public policies for healthy aging.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05619250. Registered 16 November 2022.

A Combination of Caffeine, TeaCrine, and Dynamine Improves the Neurophysiological and Performance Measures of Electronic (E)-Gamers

INTRODUCTION

Video games require precise motor skills, quick reaction times, and cognitive engagement. The tremendous growth of the electronic (e)-gaming industry has increased the demands for cognitive supplements (e.g., nootropics) to help e-athletes gain a competitive edge. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of combined caffeine + TeaCrine + Dynamine measures of neurophysiological and first-person shooter game performance in e-gamers.

METHODS

Using a randomized double-blinded, crossover design, we assessed the effects of an acute, single-dose treatment of caffeine (200 mg) vs. caffeine (200 mg) + TeaCrine (10 mg) + Dynamine (50 mg) (CTD) vs. Ppacebo (maltodextrin). Each participant was tested under all three conditions one week apart. Baseline and post-dose measures were tested one hour apart. Participants [n = 49 male (24.4 ±, 4.5 yr)] were amateur e-gamers who play a first-person video game for at least 10 hours/week. Gaming performance was assessed through a series of first-person shooter training games through AIMLAB (State Space Labs, Inc., New York, USA). These included Reflex Shot (RS) standard, speed, and precision. The neurophysiological activity was captured while participants played three games through a single-channel EEG.

RESULTS

In the standard game, the caffeine and the CTD conditions shot significantly more targets relative to the placebo, and both caffeine and the CTD condition had significantly greater targets post-dose compared to pre-dose. However, both the placebo and caffeine conditions had significantly slower reaction times post-dose compared to pre-dose. In the speed game, both the caffeine and placebo conditions shot a significantly greater number of targets, while the placebo and caffeine conditions had significantly more shots post-dose compared to pre-dose. Only the CTD condition had a significant increase in total kills post-dose compared to pre-dose. In the precision game, only the CTD condition significantly improved the number of kills per second post-dose, while only the caffeine condition had more shots post-dose. EEG data collected concomitantly with game playing showed that the CTD condition resulted in significantly lower alpha power compared to the placebo condition. The CTD group also showed increased theta activity post-dose during game playing compared to both the placebo caffeine conditions.

CONCLUSION

CTD appears to improve overall shooting gaming performance and neurophysiological measures of cognitive activity compared to caffeine and placebo. Collectively, these findings suggest that CTD assists with speed-accuracy tradeoffs where caffeine-only can lead to erratic play; thus, CTD may be particularly beneficial for shooting precision. The EEG data support this notion since the CTD exhibited lower alpha power suggesting increased cognitive flexibility and arousal and higher theta power suggesting greater cognitive control and decision-making under pressure.

Effects of caffeine, methylliberine, and theacrine on vigilance, marksmanship, and hemodynamic responses in tactical personnel: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Background

Tactical athletes require fast reaction times (RT) along with high levels of vigilance and marksmanship performance. Caffeine has been shown to improve these measures but also results in increased blood pressure and jitteriness. Research on other purine alkaloids, such as methylliberine and theacrine, has suggested they do not increase blood pressure or jitteriness to the same extent, but their impact on tactical performance is unknown.

Methods

A between-subjects, randomized, placebo-controlled design was used to test the effects of placebo (PLA), 300 mg caffeine (CAF), and a combination of 150 mg caffeine, 100 mg methylliberine, and 50 mg theacrine (CMT) on RT and marksmanship along with hemodynamic and arousal measures following a sustained vigilance task in tactical personnel (n = 48). Following consumption of the supplement, participants underwent a 150-min protocol consisting of two rounds. Each round began with leisurely reading followed by a 30-min vigilance task before beginning two trials of movement and marksmanship tasks. Hemodynamics and felt arousal were assessed throughout the protocol. Composite Z-scores were calculated for overall performance measures at each timepoint, and mixed-effects models were used to assess differences in RT, accuracy, and composite Z-scores along with hemodynamics and felt arousal. An α-level of 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance, and Cohen’s d was used to quantify effect sizes.

Results

A Group-by-Time interaction for vigilance RT (P = 0.038) indicated improvements for both CAF and CMT from round 1 to round 2 (P < 0.01) while PLA did not change (P = 0.27). No Group main effects or Group-by-Time interactions were found for movement or marksmanship performance (P > 0.20). Group main effects for systolic (SBP; P = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP; P = 0.028) indicated higher SBP in CAF (P = 0.003, d= 0.84) and CMT (P = 0.007, d= 0.79) compared to PLA but only higher DBP in CAF (P = 0.025, d= 0.74). No Group-by-Time interaction or Group main effect was found for felt arousal (P > 0.16).

Conclusions

These findings suggest similar benefits on RT during a vigilance task between CAF, containing 300 mg caffeine, and CMT above PLA, though CAF resulted in slightly less favorable hemodynamic changes. This study is the first to provide data showing similar efficacy of combined caffeine, methylliberine, and theacrine compared to double the caffeine dose consumed alone on vigilance RT but without a significant rise in DBP above PLA in tactical personnel.

Neuronutraceuticals Combating Neuroinflammaging: Molecular Insights and Translational Challenges—A Systematic Review

Neuropathologies, such as neuroinflammaging, have arisen as a serious concern for preserving the quality of life due to the global increase in neurodegenerative illnesses. Nowadays, neuronutraceuticals have gained remarkable attention. It is necessary to investigate the bioavailability, off-target effects, and mechanism of action of neuronutraceuticals. To comprehend the comprehensive impact on brain health, well-designed randomized controlled trials testing combinations of neuronutraceuticals are also necessary. Although there is a translational gap between basic and clinical research, the present knowledge of the molecular perspectives of neuroinflammaging and neuronutraceuticals may be able to slow down brain aging and to enhance cognitive performance. The present review also highlights the key emergent issues, such as regulatory and scientific concerns of neuronutraceuticals, including bioavailability, formulation, blood–brain permeability, safety, and efficacy.

Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic review

Substances with modulatory capabilities on certain aspects of human cognition have been revered as nootropics from the dawn of time. The plant kingdom provides most of the currently available nootropics of natural origin. Here, in this systematic review, we aim to provide state-of-the-art information regarding proven and unproven effects of plant-derived nootropics (PDNs) on human cognition in conditions of health and disease. Six independent searches, one for each neurocognitive domain (NCD), were performed in parallel using three independent scientific library databases: PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus. Only scientific studies and systematic reviews with humans published between January 2000 and November 2021 were reviewed, and 256 papers were included. Ginkgo biloba was the most relevant nootropic regarding perceptual and motor functions. Bacopa monnieri improves language, learning and memory. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) modulates anxiety and social-related cognitions. Caffeine enhances attention and executive functions. Together, the results from the compiled studies highlight the nootropic effects and the inconsistencies regarding PDNs that require further research.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137.

Active Women Across the Lifespan: Nutritional Ingredients to Support Health and Wellness

Women are the largest consumers of dietary supplements. Dietary supplements can play a role in health and performance, particularly for women. Growing evidence and innovations support the unique physiological and nutrient timing needs for women. Despite the need for more nutrition and exercise-specific research in women, initial data and known physiological differences between sexes related to the brain, respiration, bone, and muscle support new product development and evidence-based education for active women regarding the use of dietary supplements. In this narrative review, we discuss hormonal and metabolic considerations with the potential to impact nutritional recommendations for active women. We propose four potential areas of opportunity for ingredients to help support the health and well-being of active women, including: (1) body composition, (2) energy/fatigue, (3) mental health, and (4) physical health.

Theacrine From Camellia kucha and Its Health Beneficial Effects

Theacrine, i.e., 1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid, is one of the major purine alkaloids found in leaf of a wild tea plant species Camellia kucha Hung T. Chang. Theacrine has been attracted great attentions academically owing to its diverse health benefits. Present review examines the advances in the research on the health beneficial effects of theacrine, including antioxidant effect, anti-inflammatory effect, locomotor activation and reducing fatigue effects, improving cognitive effect, hypnotic effect, ameliorating lipid metabolism and inhibiting breast cancer cell metastasis effect. The inconsistent results in this research field and further expectations were also discussed.

A Theacrine-Based Supplement Increases Cellular NAD+ Levels and Affects Biomarkers Related to Sirtuin Activity in C2C12 Muscle Cells In Vitro

There is evidence in rodents to suggest that theacrine-based supplements modulate tissue sirtuin activity as well as other biological processes associated with aging. Herein, we examined if a theacrine-based supplement (termed NAD3) altered sirtuin activity in vitro while also affecting markers of mitochondrial biogenesis. The murine C2C12 myoblast cell line was used for experimentation. Following 7 days of differentiation, myotubes were treated with 0.45 mg/mL of NAD3 (containing ~2 mM theacrine) for 3 and 24 h (n = 6 treatment wells per time point). Relative to control (CTL)-treated cells, NAD3 treatments increased (p < 0.05) Sirt1 mRNA levels at 3 h, as well as global sirtuin activity at 3 and 24 h. Follow-up experiments comparing 24 h NAD3 or CTL treatments indicated that NAD3 increased nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and SIRT1 protein levels (p < 0.05). Cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) levels were also elevated nearly two-fold after 24 h of NAD3 versus CTL treatments (p < 0.001). Markers of mitochondrial biogenesis were minimally affected. Although these data are limited to select biomarkers in vitro, these preliminary findings suggest that a theacrine-based supplement can modulate select biomarkers related to NAD⁺ biogenesis and sirtuin activity. However, these changes did not drive increases in mitochondrial biogenesis. While promising, these data are limited to a rodent cell line and human muscle biopsy studies are needed to validate and elucidate the significance of these findings.

Theacrine and strictinin, two major ingredients for the anti-influenza activity of Yunnan Kucha tea

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kucha tea plant (Camellia assamica var. kucha Chang et Wang) is regarded as a mutant variety of wild Pu'er tea plant found in few mountain areas of Yunnan, China. Its fresh young leaves and shoots are picked by the indigenous aborigines in these local areas to prepare an herbal tea for the treatment of common cold empirically.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two extra compounds of relative abundance were detected in Kucha tea in comparison with Pu'er tea, and their chemical structures were identified as chlorogenic acid and theacrine. These two compounds as well as two major compounds, strictinin and caffeine, in Kucha tea were evaluated for their cytotoxicity and inhibitory effects on human influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 by analyzing viral protein expression and progeny production.

RESULTS

No or low cytotoxicity was detected for the four Kucha compounds when their concentrations were below 100 μM. Expression of viral NS1 protein was significantly inhibited by chlorogenic acid, theacrine or strictinin, but not caffeine at a concentration of 100 μM. The relative inhibitory potency was detected as chlorogenic acid < theacrine < strictinin, and both theacrine and strictinin displayed significant inhibition at a concentration of 50 μM. According to a plaque assay, viral progeny production was significantly reduced by theacrine or strictinin, but not by chlorogenic acid or caffeine under the same concentration of 100 μM.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that theacrine and strictinin are two major ingredients responsible for the anti-influenza activity of Yunnan Kucha tea traditionally used for the treatment of common cold.

Safety of Short-Term Supplementation with Methylliberine (Dynamine®) Alone and in Combination with TeaCrine® in Young Adults

Methylliberine (Dynamine^®; DYM) and theacrine (Teacrine^®; TCR) are purine alkaloids purported to have similar neuro-energetic effects as caffeine. There are no published human safety data on DYM, and research on TCR is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of four weeks of DYM supplementation with and without TCR on cardiovascular function and blood biomarkers. One-hundred twenty-five men and women (mean age 23.0 yrs, height 169.7 cm, body mass 72.1 kg; n = 25/group) were randomly assigned to one of five groups: low-dose DYM (100 mg), high-dose DYM (150 mg), low-dose DYM with TCR (100 mg + 50 mg), high-dose DYM with TCR (150 mg + 25 mg) , and placebo. Regardless of group and sex, significant main effects for time were noted for heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and QTc (p < 0.001), high-density lipoproteins (p = 0.002), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p = 0.018), basophils (p = 0.006), absolute eosinophils (p = 0.010), creatinine (p = 0.004), estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.037), chloride (p = 0.030), carbon dioxide (p = 0.023), bilirubin (p = 0.027), and alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.043), among others. While small changes were found in some cardiovascular and blood biomarkers, no clinically significant changes occurred. This suggests that DYM alone or in combination with TCR consumed at the dosages used in this study does not appear to negatively affect markers of health over four weeks of continuous use.

Theacrine alleviates chronic inflammation by enhancing TGF-β-mediated shifts via TGF-β/SMAD pathway in Freund's incomplete adjuvant-induced rats

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and systemic autoimmune disease, which affects approximately 1% of the adult population worldwide. The present study investigated the therapeutic effect of theacrine (TC) on arthritis and its mechanisms in Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA)-induced SD rats. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: i) healthy control; ii) model; iii) positive control with methotrexate (MTX); iv) treatment with 12.5 mg/kg TC; and v) treatment with 25.0 mg/kg TC. The apparent scores, including changes in body weights, degree of paw swelling and arthritis indicators, were analyzed to evaluate the anti-chronic inflammatory effect of TC. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein and RNA expression levels of the critical factors in rats were measured to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for chronic inflammation and to verify molecular indexes of chronic inflammatory conditions. TC notably suppressed the severity of FIA-induced rat by attenuating the apparent scores, animal weight and inflammatory indexes in the 25 mg/kg TC group compared with the FIA rat model. Furthermore, TC significantly decreased the levels of IL-6 and increased the levels of TGF-β. Histopathological examinations indicated that TC rescued the synovial hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration in joint tissues. In addition, TC enhanced TGF-β-mediated shifts in inflammatory marker expression in joint tissue. Overall, the present study demonstrated that TC exerted a superior anti-arthritic effect via the suppression of IL-6 and the activation of TGF-β by the TGF-β/SMAD pathway.

The effects of a caffeine-like supplement, TeaCrine®, on muscular strength, endurance and power performance in resistance-trained men

Background

TeaCrine® is the synthetic version to naturally occurring theacrine (1, 3, 7, 9-tetramethyluric acid) found in the leaves of Camellia kucha tea plants. A few studies have examined the effects of TeaCrine® on cognitive perception, but no research exists examining its effects on resistance exercise performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of TeaCrine®, a caffeine-like compound, on maximal muscular strength, endurance, and power performance in resistance-trained men.

Methods

Twelve resistance-trained men participated in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over designed study. Each participant performed one-repetition maximum (1RM) bench press, 1RM squat, bench press repetitions to failure (RTF) at 70% 1RM, squat RTF at 70% 1RM, and 2-km rowing time trial 90 min after consumption of: (1) Caffeine 300 mg (CAFF300); (2) TeaCrine® 300 mg (TEA300); (3) TeaCrine® + Caffeine (COMBO; 150 mg/150 mg); (4) Placebo 300 mg (PLA). Power and velocity were measured using a TENDO Power Analyzer. Visual analogue scales for energy, focus, motivation to exercise, and fatigue were administered at baseline and 90 min post-treatment ingestion (pre-workout). Rating of perceived exertion was assessed after bench press RTF and squat RTF.

Results

There were no differences between groups for 1RM, RTF, and power in the bench press and squat exercises. Only CAFF300 resulted in significant increases in perceived energy and motivation to exercise vs. TEA300 and PLA (Energy: + 9.8%, 95% confidence interval [3.3–16.4%], p < 0.01; + 15.3%, 95% CI [2.2–28.5%], p < 0.02; Motivation to exercise: + 8.9%, 95% CI [0.2–17.6%], p = 0.04, + 14.8%, 95% CI [4.7–24.8%], p < 0.01, respectively) and increased focus (+ 9.6%, 95% CI [2.1–17.1%], p = 0.01) vs. TEA300, but there were no significant differences between CAFF300 and COMBO (Energy + 3.9% [− 6.9–14.7%], Focus + 2.5% [− 6.3–11.3%], Motivation to exercise + 0.5% [− 11.6–12.6%]; p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Neither TEA300, CAFF300, COMBO, or PLA (when consumed 90 min pre-exercise) improved muscular strength, power, or endurance performance in resistance-trained men. Only CAFF300 improved measures of focus, energy, and motivation to exercise.

The effects of TeaCrine® and caffeine on endurance and cognitive performance during a simulated match in high-level soccer players

BACKGROUND

Theacrine (1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric-acid) is a pure alkaloid with a similar structure to caffeine and acts comparably as an adenosine receptor antagonist. Early studies have shown non-habituating effects, including increases in energy and focus in response to Teacrine®, the compound containing pure theacrine. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the effects of Teacrine® and caffeine on cognitive performance and time-to-exhaustion during a simulated soccer game in high-level male and female athletes.

METHODS

Male and female soccer players (N = 24; M_Age = 20.96 ± 2.05y, M_MaleVO2max = 55.31 ± 3.39 mL/O₂/kg, M_FemaleVO2max = 50.97 ± 3.90 mL/O₂/kg) completed a 90-min simulated treadmill soccer match over four randomized sessions (TeaCrine®, caffeine, TeaCrine® + caffeine, placebo). Cognitive testing at halftime and end-of-game including simple reaction time (SRT), choice RT (CRT), and cognitive-load RT with distraction questions (COGRT/COGRT_Wrong) was performed, with a run time-to-exhaustion (TTE) at 85% VO_2max following end-of-game cognitive testing. Session times and pre-exercise nutrition were controlled. RM-MANOVAs with univariate follow-ups were conducted and significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

TTE trended towards significance in TeaCrine® and TeaCrine® + caffeine conditions compared to placebo (P < 0.052). A condition main effect (P < 0.05) occurred with faster CRT in caffeine and TeaCrine® + caffeine compared to placebo. COGRT_Wrong showed a significant time main effect, with better accuracy at end-of-game compared to halftime (P < 0.05). A time x condition interaction in SRT (P < 0.05) showed placebo improved from halftime to end-of-game.

CONCLUSIONS

The 27-38% improvements in TTE reflect increased performance capacity that may have important implications for overtime scenarios. These findings suggest TeaCrine® favorably impacts endurance and the combination with caffeine provides greater benefits on cognitive function than either supplement independently.

Dietary Supplements: Regulatory Challenges and Research Resources

Many of the scientific and regulatory challenges that exist in research on the safety, quality and efficacy of dietary supplements are common to all countries as the marketplace for them becomes increasingly global. This article summarizes some of the challenges in supplement science and provides a case study of research at the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health, USA, along with some resources it has developed that are available to all scientists. It includes examples of some of the regulatory challenges faced and some resources for those who wish to learn more about them.