Effect of ribose supplementation on resynthesis of adenine nucleotides after intense intermittent training in humans

Oral D-ribose causes depressive-like behavior by altering glycerophospholipid metabolism via the gut-brain axis

Our previous work has shown that D-ribose (RIB)-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice. However, the relationship between variations in RIB levels and depression as well as potential RIB participation in depressive disorder is yet unknown. Here, a reanalysis of metabonomics data from depressed patients and depression model rats is performed to clarify whether the increased RIB level is positively correlated with the severity of depression. Moreover, we characterize intestinal epithelial barrier damage, gut microbial composition and function, and microbiota-gut-brain metabolic signatures in RIB-fed mice using colonic histomorphology, 16 S rRNA gene sequencing, and untargeted metabolomics analysis. The results show that RIB caused intestinal epithelial barrier impairment and microbiota-gut-brain axis dysbiosis. These microbial and metabolic modules are consistently enriched in peripheral (fecal, colon wall, and serum) and central (hippocampus) glycerophospholipid metabolism. In addition, three differential genera (Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006, Turicibacter, and Akkermansia) and two types of glycerophospholipids (phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine) have greater contributions to the overall correlations between differential genera and glycerophospholipids. These findings suggest that the disturbances of gut microbiota by RIB may contribute to the onset of depressive-like behaviors via regulating glycerophospholipid metabolism, and providing new insight for understanding the function of microbiota-gut-brain axis in depression.

Advancing Research and Treatment: An Overview of Clinical Trials in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Future Perspectives

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic, debilitating, and multi-faceted illness. Heterogenous onset and clinical presentation with additional comorbidities make it difficult to diagnose, characterize, and successfully treat. Current treatment guidelines focus on symptom management, but with no clear target or causative mechanism, remission rates are low, and fewer than 5% of patients return to their pre-morbid activity levels. Therefore, there is an urgent need to undertake robust clinical trials to identify effective treatments. This review synthesizes insights from clinical trials exploring pharmacological interventions and dietary supplements targeting immunological, metabolic, gastrointestinal, neurological, and neuroendocrine dysfunction in ME/CFS patients which require further exploration. Additionally, the trialling of alternative interventions in ME/CFS based on reported efficacy in the treatment of illnesses with overlapping symptomology is also discussed. Finally, we provide important considerations and make recommendations, focusing on outcome measures, to ensure the execution of future high-quality clinical trials to establish clinical efficacy of evidence-based interventions that are needed for adoption in clinical practice.

Ribose Intake as Food Integrator: Is It a Really Convenient Practice?

Reports concerning the beneficial effects of D-ribose administration in cardiovascular and muscle stressful conditions has led to suggestions for the use of ribose as an energizing food supplement for healthy people. However, this practice still presents too many critical issues, suggesting that caution is needed. In fact, there are many possible negative effects of this sugar that we believe are underestimated, if not neglected, by the literature supporting the presentation of the product to the market. Here, the risks deriving from the use of free ribose as ATP source, forcing ribose-5-phosphate to enter into the pentose phosphate pathway, is emphasized. On the basis of the remarkable glycation capacity of ribose, the easily predictable cytotoxic effect of the molecule is also highlighted.

Chronic D-ribose and D-mannose overload induce depressive/anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory impairment in mice

The effects of different forms of monosaccharides on the brain remain unclear, though neuropsychiatric disorders undergo changes in glucose metabolism. This study assessed cell viability responses to five commonly consumed monosaccharides-D-ribose (RIB), D-glucose, D-mannose (MAN), D-xylose and L-arabinose-in cultured neuro-2a cells. Markedly decreased cell viability was observed in cells treated with RIB and MAN. We then showed that high-dose administration of RIB induced depressive- and anxiety-like behavior as well as spatial memory impairment in mice, while high-dose administration of MAN induced anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory impairment only. Moreover, significant pathological changes were observed in the hippocampus of high-dose RIB-treated mice by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Association analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome suggested that the anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory impairment induced by RIB and MAN may be attributed to the changes in four metabolites and 81 genes in the hippocampus, which is involved in amino acid metabolism and serotonin transport. In addition, combined with previous genome-wide association studies on depression, a correlation was found between the levels of Tnni3k and Tbx1 in the hippocampus and RIB induced depressive-like behavior. Finally, metabolite-gene network, qRT-PCR and western blot analysis showed that the insulin-POMC-MEK-TCF7L2 and MAPK-CREB-GRIN2A-CaMKII signaling pathways were respectively associated with RIB and MAN induced depressive/anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory impairment. Our findings clarified our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying RIB and MAN induced depressive/anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory impairment in mice and highlighted the deleterious effects of high-dose RIB and MAN as long-term energy sources.

Effect of D-ribose supplementation on delayed onset muscle soreness induced by plyometric exercise in college students

Objective

Previous investigations suggest that appropriate nutritional interventions may reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). This study examined the effect of D-ribose supplementation on DOMS induced by plyometric exercise.

Methods

For the purpose of inducing DOMS, 21 untrained male college students performed a lower-limb plyometric exercise session that involved 7 sets of 20 consecutive frog hops with 90-s of rest between each set. Muscle soreness was measured with a visual analogue scale 1-h before, 24-h after, and 48-h after exercise. Subjects were then randomly placed into the D-ribose group (DRIB, n = 11) and the placebo group (PLAC, n = 10) to assure equivalent BMI and muscle soreness. After a 14-d washout/recovery period, subjects performed the same exercise session, with DRIB ingesting a 200 ml solution containing 15 g D-ribose 1-h before, 1-h, 12-h, 24-h, and 36-h after exercise, and PLAC ingesting a calorically equivalent placebo of the same volume and taste containing sorbitol and β-cyclodextrin. Muscle soreness and isokinetic muscle strength were measured, and venous blood was assessed for markers of muscle damage and oxidative stress 1-h before, 24-h and 48-h after exercise.

Results

In DRIB, muscle soreness after 24-h and 48-h in the second exercise session were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than was experienced in the first exercise session. In the second exercise, blood-related markers of muscle soreness, including creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), myoglobin and malondialdehyde (MDA) in DRIB after 24-h were lower in DRIB after 24-h than in PLAC (MDA, p < 0.05; rest outcomes, p < 0.01). In addition, LDH and MDA in DRIB were significantly lower (p < 0.01) after 24-h in DRIB than in PLAC. No difference was found in isokinetic muscle strength and oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity, between DRIB and PLAC after 24-h and 48-h.

Conclusion

D-ribose supplementation reduces muscle soreness, improves recovery of muscle damage, and inhibits the formation of lipid peroxides. Young adult males performing plyometric exercise are likely to realize a DOMS reduction through consumption of D-ribose in 15 g/doses both before (1-h) and after (1-h, 12-h, 24-h, 36-h) exercise. These results suggest that appropriately timed consumption of D-ribose may induce a similar alleviation of exercise-induced DOMS in the general public.

Effect of Multi-Ingredient Preworkout Supplementation on Repeated Sprint Performance in Recreationally Active Men and Women

Gonzalez, AM, Pinzone, AG, Bram, J, Salisbury, JL, Lee, S, and Mangine, GT. Effect of multi-ingredient preworkout supplementation on repeated sprint performance in recreationally active men and women. J Strength Cond Res 34(4): 918-923, 2020-The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of acute supplementation of a multi-ingredient preworkout supplement (MIPS), containing a proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extracts, creatine monohydrate, taurine, ribose, and magnesium, on sprint cycling performance. Seventeen recreationally active men and women (23.2 ± 5.9 years; 172.9 ± 14.3 cm; 82.4 ± 14.5 kg) underwent 2 testing sessions administered in a randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind fashion. Subjects were provided either MIPS or placebo (PL) one hour before performing a sprint cycling protocol, which consisted of ten 5-second "all-out" sprints interspersed by 55 seconds of unloaded pedaling. Average power (PAVG), peak power (PPK), average velocity (VAVG), and distance covered were recorded for each sprint. Separate linear mixed models revealed decrements (p < 0.05) compared to the first sprint in PAVG (75-229 W) and PPK (79-209 W) throughout all consecutive sprints after the initial sprint during PL. Likewise, diminished (p ≤ 0.029) VAVG (3.37-6.36 m·s) and distance covered (7.77-9.00 m) were noted after the third and fifth sprints, respectively, during PL. By contrast, during MIPS, only VAVG decreased (2.34-5.87 m·s, p ≤ 0.002) on consecutive sprints after the first sprint, whereas PAVG and PPK were maintained. In addition, a significant decrease (p = 0.045) in distance covered was only observed on the ninth sprint during MIPS. These data suggest that recreational athletes who consumed the MIPS formulation, one hour before a repeated sprinting session on a cycle ergometer, better maintained performance compared with PL.

Safety of d-ribose as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on D-ribose as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The applicant intends to market the NF as ingredient in a variety of foods, food supplements and in certain foods for specific groups. The NF is produced by fermentation using a transketolase-deficient strain of Bacillus subtilis and marketed as Bioenergy Ribose™. The information provided on the batch-to-batch variability, specifications, stability, production process and history of the organism used as a source of the NF is sufficient and does not raise safety concerns. The Panel considers that the effects observed in a subchronic toxicity study in rats could be the consequence of nutritional imbalances, but toxicological effects could not be ruled out; from this study, the Panel derived a No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 3.6 g/kg body weight (bw) per day. From the human studies indicating a potential decrease in glucose levels and/or the occurrence of transient symptomatic hypoglycaemia at intakes of 10 g of d-ribose, the Panel defined 70 mg/kg bw per day as the NOAEL with respect to hypoglycaemia that can be considered applicable for adults. For children, the Panel acknowledges the lack of human data directly relevant for this population group. Based on the NOAEL derived from the subchronic toxicity study in rats, an acceptable level of intake of 36 mg/kg bw per day was defined that would also take into account the potentially increased sensitivity of certain population groups to hypoglycaemia. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe for the general population at intake levels up to 36 mg/kg bw per day and considers that the safety of the NF at the intended uses and use levels as proposed by the applicant has not been established.

The influence of D-ribose ingestion and fitness level on performance and recovery

Background

Skeletal muscle adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels are severely depleted during and following prolonged high intensity exercise. Recovery from these lower ATP levels can take days, which can affect performance on subsequent days of exercise. Untrained individuals often suffer the stress and consequences of acute, repeated bouts of exercise by not having the ability to perform or recovery sufficiently to exercise on subsequent days. Conversely, trained individuals may be able to recover more quickly due to their enhanced metabolic systems. D-Ribose (DR) has been shown to enhance the recovery in ATP; however, it is not known if recovery and performance can be benefitted with DR ingestion. Therefore, this study was designed to determine what influence DR might have on muscular performance, recovery, and metabolism during and following a multi-day exercise regimen.

Methods

The study was a double blind, crossover study in 26 healthy subjects compared 10 g/day of DR to 10 g/day of dextrose (DEX, control). All subjects completed 2 days of loading with either DR or DEX, followed by 3 additional days of supplementation and during these 3 days of supplementation, each subject underwent 60 min of high intensity interval exercise in separate daily sessions, which involved cycling (8 min of exercise at 60% and 2 min at 80% VO₂max), followed by a 2 min power output (PO) test. Subjects were divided into two groups based on peak VO₂ results, lower VO₂ (LVO₂) and higher peak VO₂ (HVO₂).

Results

Mean and peak PO increased significantly from day 1 to day 3 for the DR trial compared to DEX in the LVO₂ group. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and creatine kinase (CK) were significantly lower for DR than DEX in the LVO₂ group. No differences in PO, RPE, heart rate, CK, blood urea nitrogen, or glucose were found between either supplement for the HVO₂ group.

Conclusion

DR supplementation in the lower VO₂ max group resulted in maintenance in exercise performance, as well as lower levels of RPE and CK. Unlike no observed benefits with DEX supplementation.

Metabogenic and Nutriceutical Approaches to Address Energy Dysregulation and Skeletal Muscle Wasting in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal genetic muscle wasting disease with no current cure. A prominent, yet poorly treated feature of dystrophic muscle is the dysregulation of energy homeostasis which may be associated with intrinsic defects in key energy systems and promote muscle wasting. As such, supplementative nutriceuticals that target and augment the bioenergetical expansion of the metabolic pathways involved in cellular energy production have been widely investigated for their therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of DMD. We describe the metabolic nuances of dystrophin-deficient skeletal muscle and review the potential of various metabogenic and nutriceutical compounds to ameliorate the pathological and clinical progression of the disease.

In silico analysis of exercise intolerance in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

Post-exertional malaise is commonly observed in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, but its mechanism is not yet well understood. A reduced capacity for mitochondrial ATP synthesis is associated with the pathogenesis of CFS and is suspected to be a major contribution to exercise intolerance in CFS patients. To demonstrate the connection between a reduced mitochondrial capacity and exercise intolerance, we present a model which simulates metabolite dynamics in skeletal muscles during exercise and recovery. CFS simulations exhibit critically low levels of ATP, where an increased rate of cell death would be expected. To stabilize the energy supply at low ATP concentrations the total adenine nucleotide pool is reduced substantially causing a prolonged recovery time even without consideration of other factors, such as immunological dysregulations and oxidative stress. Repeated exercises worsen this situation considerably. Furthermore, CFS simulations exhibited an increased acidosis and lactate accumulation consistent with experimental observations.

High-intensity intermittent cycling increases purine loss compared with workload-matched continuous moderate intensity cycling

PURPOSE

Exercise at 50-60 % of peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) stimulates maximal fat oxidation rates. Despite a lower estimated work performed; high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) training produces greater fat mass reductions when compared with workload-matched continuous (CON) steady state exercise. No metabolic basis has been documented nor mechanisms offered to explain this anomaly. This study investigated the physiological and metabolic responses of two different workload-matched exercise protocols.

METHODS

On separate occasions and at least 1 week apart, eight apparently healthy males cycled for 30 min at either 50 % VO2 peak (CON) or performed repeated 20 s bouts of supramaximal exercise at 150 %VO2 peak separated by 40 s rest (HIIE).

RESULTS

The average heart rate, oxygen consumption, plasma glycerol and free fatty acid concentrations were not different during exercise and recovery between the trials. Plasma lactate and hypoxanthine (Hx) concentrations were elevated and urinary excretion rates of Hx and uric acid were greater following HIIE as compared to CON (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Exercise-induced plasma Hx accumulation and urinary purine excretion are greater following HIIE and indirectly represents a net loss of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from the muscle. The subsequent restorative processes required for intramuscular de novo replacement of ATP may contribute to a negative energy balance and in part, account for the potential accelerated fat loss observed with HIIE when compared with CON training programs.

International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: energy drinks

Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) bases the following position stand on a critical analysis of the literature on the safety and efficacy of the use of energy drinks (ED) or energy shots (ES). The ISSN has concluded the following. 1. Although ED and ES contain a number of nutrients that are purported to affect mental and/or physical performance, the primary ergogenic nutrients in most ED and ES appear to be carbohydrate and/or caffeine. 2. The ergogenic value of caffeine on mental and physical performance has been well-established but the potential additive benefits of other nutrients contained in ED and ES remains to be determined. 3. Consuming ED 10-60 minutes before exercise can improve mental focus, alertness, anaerobic performance, and/or endurance performance. 4. Many ED and ES contain numerous ingredients; these products in particular merit further study to demonstrate their safety and potential effects on physical and mental performance. 5. There is some limited evidence that consumption of low-calorie ED during training and/or weight loss trials may provide ergogenic benefit and/or promote a small amount of additional fat loss. However, ingestion of higher calorie ED may promote weight gain if the energy intake from consumption of ED is not carefully considered as part of the total daily energy intake. 6. Athletes should consider the impact of ingesting high glycemic load carbohydrates on metabolic health, blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as the effects of caffeine and other stimulants on motor skill performance. 7. Children and adolescents should only consider use of ED or ES with parental approval after consideration of the amount of carbohydrate, caffeine, and other nutrients contained in the ED or ES and a thorough understanding of the potential side effects. 8. Indiscriminant use of ED or ES, especially if more than one serving per day is consumed, may lead to adverse events and harmful side effects. 9. Diabetics and individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular, metabolic, hepatorenal, and neurologic disease who are taking medications that may be affected by high glycemic load foods, caffeine, and/or other stimulants should avoid use of ED and/or ES unless approved by their physician.

Cellular protection during oxidative stress: a potential role for D-ribose and antioxidants

A healthy cellular system involves the maintenance of an intracellular metabolic balance. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are constantly produced as a normal product of cellular metabolism; however, during situations of cellular stress, these levels can increase dramatically with the potential to cause deleterious cellular structural and/or functional consequences. There is a significant elevation in these ROS following stressful situations, such as ischemia, hypoxia, high-intensity exercise, and in many diseases. To combat these ROS, neutralizing endogenous enzymes, as well as exogenous antioxidants, can aid in minimizing their potential untoward cellular effects. Exogenous reducing antioxidant agents, such as vitamin C and/or E, play a role in addressing these formed species; however, recent research has suggested that fruit seed extracts may provide additional cellular benefits beyond their antioxidant features. Furthermore, supplemental D-ribose enhances the recovery of high-energy phosphates following stress and appears to potentially offer additional benefits by reducing radical formation. Specifically, during periods of hypoxia/ischemia, supplemental D-ribose may play an inhibitory role in the breakdown of adenine nucleotides, influencing the subsequent formation of xanthine and uric acid compounds; and thereby affecting the release of superoxide anion radicals. The combination of D-ribose with reducing antioxidants may provide a more optimal state of cellular protection during and following times of oxidative stress.

Exercise training and peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common vascular disease that reduces blood flow capacity to the legs of patients. PAD leads to exercise intolerance that can progress in severity to greatly limit mobility, and in advanced cases leads to frank ischemia with pain at rest. It is estimated that 12 to 15 million people in the United States are diagnosed with PAD, with a much larger population that is undiagnosed. The presence of PAD predicts a 50% to 1500% increase in morbidity and mortality, depending on severity. Treatment of patients with PAD is limited to modification of cardiovascular disease risk factors, pharmacological intervention, surgery, and exercise therapy. Extended exercise programs that involve walking approximately five times per week, at a significant intensity that requires frequent rest periods, are most significant. Preclinical studies and virtually all clinical trials demonstrate the benefits of exercise therapy, including improved walking tolerance, modified inflammatory/hemostatic markers, enhanced vasoresponsiveness, adaptations within the limb (angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, and mitochondrial synthesis) that enhance oxygen delivery and metabolic responses, potentially delayed progression of the disease, enhanced quality of life indices, and extended longevity. A synthesis is provided as to how these adaptations can develop in the context of our current state of knowledge and events known to be orchestrated by exercise. The benefits are so compelling that exercise prescription should be an essential option presented to patients with PAD in the absence of contraindications. Obviously, selecting for a lifestyle pattern that includes enhanced physical activity prior to the advance of PAD limitations is the most desirable and beneficial.

Towards producing novel fish gelatin films by combination treatments of ultraviolet radiation and sugars (ribose and lactose) as cross-linking agents

Developing novel fish gelatin films with better mechanical properties than mammalian gelatin is a challenging but promising endeavor. Studies were undertaken to produce fish gelatin films by combining treatments with different sugars (ribose and lactose) followed 'by' 'and' ultraviolet (UV) radiation, as possible cross-linking agents. Increase in tensile strength and percent elongation at break was recorded, which was more significant in films without sugars that were exposed to UV radiation. Films with added ribose showed decreased solubility after UV treatment and exhibited higher swelling percentage than films with added lactose, which readily dissolved in water. FTIR spectra of all the films showed identical patterns, which indicated no major changes to have occurred in the functional groups as a result of interaction between gelatin, sugars and UV irradiation. The results of this study could be explored for commercial use, depending on industrial needs for either production of edible films or for food packaging purposes.

Evaluation of α-D-ribofuranose (D-ribose) toxicity after intravenous administration to rabbits

Rapid intravenous administration of D-ribose may result in a significant reduction in cellular damage in patients with sudden ischemic insults. The development of an effective and clinically safe therapeutic regimen using the intravenous route in critically ill patients especially with cardiac diseases requires a comprehensive assessment of potential toxic effects of the drug in laboratory animals and in human beings. The potential clinical, behavioral, hematological, biochemical, gross pathological and histological toxic effects associated with the intravenous administration of D-ribose in rabbits for 28 days were evaluated in this study. Except for an increase in neutrophil percentage in male rabbits in the D-ribose-treated groups, there were no statistically significant toxic effects induced by daily intravenous administration of the drug in male and female rabbits. Results of this study suggest that D-ribose administered intravenously for 28 days in the rabbit exhibited no toxicity at 420 mg/kg.

Dietary supplements and team-sport performance

A well designed diet is the foundation upon which optimal training and performance can be developed. However, as long as competitive sports have existed, athletes have attempted to improve their performance by ingesting a variety of substances. This practice has given rise to a multi-billion-dollar industry that aggressively markets its products as performance enhancing, often without objective, scientific evidence to support such claims. While a number of excellent reviews have evaluated the performance-enhancing effects of most dietary supplements, less attention has been paid to the performance-enhancing claims of dietary supplements in the context of team-sport performance. Dietary supplements that enhance some types of athletic performance may not necessarily enhance team-sport performance (and vice versa). Thus, the first aim of this review is to critically evaluate the ergogenic value of the most common dietary supplements used by team-sport athletes. The term dietary supplements will be used in this review and is defined as any product taken by the mouth, in addition to common foods, that has been proposed to have a performance-enhancing effect; this review will only discuss substances that are not currently banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Evidence is emerging to support the performance-enhancing claims of some, but not all, dietary supplements that have been proposed to improve team-sport-related performance. For example, there is good evidence that caffeine can improve single-sprint performance, while caffeine, creatine and sodium bicarbonate ingestion have all been demonstrated to improve multiple-sprint performance. The evidence is not so strong for the performance-enhancing benefits of β-alanine or colostrum. Current evidence does not support the ingestion of ribose, branched-chain amino acids or β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, especially in well trained athletes. More research on the performance-enhancing effects of the dietary supplements highlighted in this review needs to be conducted using team-sport athletes and using team-sport-relevant testing (e.g. single- and multiple-sprint performance). It should also be considered that there is no guarantee that dietary supplements that improve isolated performance (i.e. single-sprint or jump performance) will remain effective in the context of a team-sport match. Thus, more research is also required to investigate the effects of dietary supplements on simulated or actual team-sport performance. A second aim of this review was to investigate any health issues associated with the ingestion of the more commonly promoted dietary supplements. While most of the supplements described in the review appear safe when using the recommended dose, the effects of higher doses (as often taken by athletes) on indices of health remain unknown, and further research is warranted. Finally, anecdotal reports suggest that team-sport athletes often ingest more than one dietary supplement and very little is known about the potential adverse effects of ingesting multiple supplements. Supplements that have been demonstrated to be safe and efficacious when ingested on their own may have adverse effects when combined with other supplements. More research is required to investigate the effects of ingesting multiple supplements (both on performance and health).

Beneficial Effect of Food Substitute Containing L-Arginine, omega-3 Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acid, and Ribonucleic Acid in Preventing or Improving Metabolic Syndrome: A Study in 15 Overweight Patients and a Study of Fatty Acid Metabolism in Animals

This study was conducted to investigate whether or not a food substitute (Dr. BAANs®) containing three bioactive components L-arginine, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, and ribonucleic acid, supplied orally to 15 overweight patients, may have efficacy to prevent or improve the metabolic syndrome of these patients. To provide supporting data for this clinical study, the in vivo fatty acid metabolism of obese mice was analyzed using ¹²⁵I labeled 15-(p-iodophenyl)-9-methylpentadecanoic acid (9MPA) in the tissues’ lipid pool. After 3 months of intervention, the results showed that there were improvements observed in liver functions, lipid profiles and metabolic syndrome marker. Significant differences were also found in the values of blood pressure, body weight, percentage of body fat, and body mass index. In the animal study, the tissue uptake of ¹²⁵I-9MPA at 10 min after injection was higher in obese mice than in the control mice and the treatment with Dr. BAANs® in obese mice decreased the uptake significantly. The final product metabolite of p-iodophenylacetic acid in obese mice was increased significantly by the treatment. In conclusion, this food substitute may have a beneficial effect for the prevention or improvement of metabolic syndrome.

Assessment of Hematological and Biochemical parameters with extended D-Ribose ingestion

D-ribose, a naturally occurring pentose carbohydrate, has been shown to replenish high- energy phosphates following myocardial ischemia and high intensity, repetitive exercise. Human studies have mainly involved short-term assessment, including potential toxicity. Reports describing adverse effects of D-ribose with prolonged ingestion have been lacking. Therefore, this study assessed the toxicity of extended consumption of D-ribose in healthy adults. Nineteen subjects ingested 20 grams/Day (10 grams, twice a Day) of ribose with serial measurements of biochemical and hematological parameters at Days 0, 7, and 14. No significant toxic changes over the 14-day assessment period occurred in complete blood count, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, alanine amiotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase. However, D-ribose did produce an asymptomatic, mild hypoglycemia of short duration. Uric acid levels increased at Day 7, but decreased to baseline values by Day 14. D-ribose consumption for 14 days appears not to produce significant toxic changes in both hematological and biochemical parameters in healthy human volunteers.

Ribose: more than a simple sugar?

This article reviews the current literature regarding the use of ribose as an ergogenic aid. Ribose manufacturers claim that it provides ergogenic benefit, but this has not been substantiated through scientific investigations. Data have shown promise that ribose supplementation leads to enhanced restoration of ATP levels following exercise, but this has seldom translated into increased athletic performance. However, as with many ergogenic aids, additional research is needed to clarify its value as a supplement.

Metabolic response of trained and untrained women during high-intensity intermittent cycle exercise

The metabolic response to two different forms of high-intensity intermittent cycle exercise was investigated in young women. Subjects (8 trained and 8 untrained) performed two bouts of high-intensity intermittent exercise: short sprint (SS) (8-s sprint, 12-s recovery) and long sprint (LS) (24-s sprint, 36-s recovery) for 20 min on two separate occasions. Both workload and oxygen uptake were greater in the trained subjects but were not significantly different for SS and LS. Plasma glycerol concentrations significantly increased during exercise. Lactate concentrations rose over the 20 min and were higher for the trained women. Catecholamine concentration was also higher postexercise compared with preexercise for both groups. Both SS and LS produced similar metabolic response although both lactate and catecholamines were higher after the 24-s sprint. In conclusion, these results show that high-intensity intermittent exercise resulted in significant elevations in catecholamines that appear to be related to increased venous glycerol concentrations. The trained compared with the untrained women tended to show an earlier increase in plasma glycerol concentrations during high-intensity exercise.

Sprint training reduces urinary purine loss following intense exercise in humans

The influence of sprint training on endogenous urinary purine loss was examined in 7 active male subjects (age, 23.1 +/- 1.8 y; body mass, 76.1 +/- 3.1 kg; VO2 peak, 56.3 +/- 4.0 mL.kg-1.min-1). Each subject performed a 30 s sprint performance test (PT), before and after 7 d of sprint training. Training consisted of 15 sprints, each lasting 10 s, on an air-braked cycle ergometer performed twice each day. A rest period of 50 s separated each sprint during training. Sprint training resulted in a 20% higher muscle ATP immediately after PT, a lower IMP (57% and 89%, immediately after and 10 min after PT, respectively), and inosine accumulation (53% and 56%, immediately after and 10 min after the PT, respectively). Sprint training also attenuated the exercise-induced increases in plasma inosine, hypoxanthine (Hx), and uric acid during the first 120 min of recovery and reduced the total urinary excretion of purines (inosine + Hx + uric acid) in the 24 h recovery period following intense exercise. These results show that intermittent sprint training reduces the total urinary purine excretion after a 30 s sprint bout.

Ribose versus dextrose supplementation, association with rowing performance: a double-blind study

OBJECTIVE

It has been hypothesized that ribose supplementation rapidly replenishes adenosine triphosphate stores and thereby improves exercise performance. We compared the effects of ribose versus dextrose on rowing performance.

DESIGN

Double-blind randomized trial.

SETTING

Rowing team training area of large midwestern university.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-one women collegiate rowers.

INTERVENTIONS

We studied the effects of ribose versus dextrose supplementation (10 g each in 8 oz water) for 8 weeks before and after practice and 2000-m time trials. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: In the time trials, the dextrose group showed significantly more improvement at 8 weeks than the ribose group (median, 15.2 vs. 5.2 s; P = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

We doubt ribose impaired, and hypothesize dextrose enhanced, rowing performance. Further research is needed to define what role, if any, dextrose and ribose play as athletic supplements.

Benefit of Ribose in a Patient with Fibromyalgia

Ribose was added to the existing treatment regimen of a woman with fibromyalgia, resulting in a decrease in symptoms. It has been postulated that patients with fibromyalgia may have an alteration in muscle adenine nucleotide metabolism, leading to depleted energy reserves and an imbalance in cellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate:adenosine 5'-diphosphate:adenosine 5'-monophosphate (ATP:ADP:AMP) ratios with an abnormal energy charge. As a key component in adenine nucleotide synthesis, ribose supplementation may be useful in such patients.