Mike Spillane

The effects of creatine ethyl ester supplementation combined with heavy resistance training on body composition, muscle performance, and serum and muscle creatine levels

Numerous creatine formulations have been developed primarily to maximize creatine absorption. Creatine ethyl ester is alleged to increase creatine bio-availability. This study examined how a seven-week supplementation regimen combined with resistance training affected body composition, muscle mass, muscle strength and power, serum and muscle creatine levels, and serum creatinine levels in 30 non-resistance-trained males. In a double-blind manner, participants were randomly assigned to a maltodextrose placebo (PLA), creatine monohydrate (CRT), or creatine ethyl ester (CEE) group. The supplements were orally ingested at a dose of 0.30 g/kg fat-free body mass (approximately 20 g/day) for five days followed by ingestion at 0.075 g/kg fat free mass (approximately 5 g/day) for 42 days. Results showed significantly higher serum creatine concentrations in PLA (p = 0.007) and CRT (p = 0.005) compared to CEE. Serum creatinine was greater in CEE compared to the PLA (p = 0.001) and CRT (p = 0.001) and increased at days 6, 27, and 48. Total muscle creatine content was significantly higher in CRT (p = 0.026) and CEE (p = 0.041) compared to PLA, with no differences between CRT and CEE. Significant changes over time were observed for body composition, body water, muscle strength and power variables, but no significant differences were observed between groups. In conclusion, when compared to creatine monohydrate, creatine ethyl ester was not as effective at increasing serum and muscle creatine levels or in improving body composition, muscle mass, strength, and power. Therefore, the improvements in these variables can most likely be attributed to the training protocol itself, rather than the supplementation regimen.

Effects of 28 days of resistance exercise while consuming commercially available pre- and post- workout supplements, NO-Shotgun ® and NO- Synthesize ® on body composition, muscle strength and mass, markers of protein synthesis, and clinical safety markers in males

PurposeThe effects of 28 days of heavy resistance training while ingesting the pre- and post-workout supplements, NO-Shotgun® and NO-Synthesize® were determined on body composition, muscle strength and mass, markers of protein synthesis, and clinical safety markers.MethodsNineteen non-resistance-trained males participated in a resistance training program 4 times/week for 28 days while either ingesting 27 g/day of carbohydrate (CARB) or NO-Shotgun® 30 min pre-exercise and 27 g/day of carbohydrate or NO- Synthesize® 30 min post-exercise (NOSS). Data were analyzed with separate 2 × 2 ANOVA (p < 0.05).ResultsTotal body mass was increased in both groups (p = 0.001), but not different between groups. Fat mass was unchanged with CARB, but NOSS decreased fat mass (p = 0.026). Both groups increased fat-free mass (p = 0.001); however, the increases were greater with NOSS (p = 0.023). NOSS underwent greater increases in upper-body (p = 0.023) and lower-body (p = 0.035) strength than CARB. Myofibrillar protein significantly increased in both groups (p = 0.041), with NOSS being greater than CARB (p = 0.049). All of the MHC isoforms were significantly increased in both groups; however, NOSS was greater than CARB for MHC 1 (p = 0.013) and MHC 2A (p = 0.046). All of the myogenic regulatory factors were significantly increased in both groups; however, NOSS was greater than CARB for Myo-D (p = 0.038) and MRF-4 (p = 0.001). For the whole blood and serum clinical chemistry markers, all variables remained within normal clinical ranges.ConclusionsHeavy resistance training for 28 days, with NO-Shotgun® and NO-Synthesize® ingested before and after exercise, respectively, significantly improved body composition and increased muscle mass and performance without abnormally impacting any of the clinical chemistry markers.

Capsaicin and evodiamine ingestion does not augment energy expenditure and fat oxidation at rest or after moderately-intense exercise

Capsaicin and evodiamine are 2 thermogenic agents recognized for their ability to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. We hypothesized that both capsaicin and evodiamine would be effective at increasing thermogenesis and lipid oxidation during rest and exercise. In a randomized, cross-over design, 11 men ingested 500 mg of cayenne pepper (1.25 mg capsaicin), 500 mg evodiamine, or placebo at rest following 30 minutes of energy expenditure assessment using open-circuit spirometry. Energy expenditure was assessed again prior to commencing approximately 30 minutes of treadmill exercise at 65% peak oxygen consumption. Energy expenditure was assessed for another 30 minutes of the post-exercise period. Heart rate, blood pressure, core temperature, and venous blood samples were obtained 30 minutes before supplement ingestion, 1 hour after supplement ingestion, immediately post-exercise, and 45 minutes post-exercise. Serum markers of lipid oxidation (glycerol, free fatty acids, glucose, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) were determined spectrophotometrically with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Two-way analyses of variance with repeated measures were performed for each dependent variable (P ≤ .05) with Supplement and Test as main effects. Statistical analyses revealed significant main effects for Test for hemodynamics, energy expenditure, serum catecholamines, and markers of fat oxidation immediately post-exercise (P < .05). No significant interactions between Supplement and Test were noted for any criterion variable (P > .05). These results suggest that acute ingestion of 500 mg of cayenne (1.25 mg capsaicin) or evodiamine is not effective at inducing thermogenesis and increasing fat oxidation at rest or during exercise in men.

l-Leucine Increases Skeletal Muscle IGF-1 but Does Not Differentially Increase Akt/mTORC1 Signaling and Serum IGF-1 Compared to Ursolic Acid in Response to Resistance Exercise in Resistance-Trained Men

Objective: Ursolic acid administration following resistance exercise increases mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity and skeletal muscle IGF-1 concentration in murines in a manner similar to l-leucine yet remains unexamined in humans. This study examined serum and skeletal muscle insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and Akt/mTORC1 signaling activity following ingestion of either ursolic acid or l-leucine immediately after resistance exercise. Methods: Nine resistance-trained men performed 3 lower-body resistance exercise sessions involving 4 sets of 8–10 repetitions at 75%–80% one repetition maximum (1-RM) on the angled leg press and knee extension exercises. Immediately following each session, participants orally ingested 3 g cellulose placebo (PLC), l-leucine (LEU), or ursolic acid (UA). Blood samples were obtained pre-exercise and at 0.5, 2, and 6 hours postexercise. Muscle biopsies were obtained pre-exercise and at 2 and 6 hours postexercise. Results: Plasma leucine increased in LEU at 2 hours postexercise compared to PLC (p = 0.04). Plasma ursolic acid increased in UA at 2 h and 6 hours postexercise compared to PLC and LEU (p < 0.003). No significant differences were observed for serum insulin (p = 0.98) and IGF-1 (p = 0.99) or skeletal muscle IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R; p = 0.84), Akt (p = 0.55), mTOR (p = 0.09), and p70S6K (p = 0.98). Skeletal muscle IGF-1 was significantly increased in LEU at 2 hours postexercise (p = 0.03) and 6 hours postexercise (p = 0.04) compared to PLC and UA. Conclusion: Three grams of l-leucine and ursolic acid had no effect on Akt/mTORC1 signaling or serum insulin or IGF-1; however, l-leucine increased skeletal muscle IGF-1 concentration in resistance-trained men.

Acute Myosin Heavy Chain Isoform mRNA Expression in Response to Two Resistance Exercise Intensities With Equal Volume Load in Resistance-Trained Men.

Abstract Schwarz, NA, Spillane, MB, McKinley, SK, Andre, TL, Gann, JJ, and Willoughby, DS. Acute myosin heavy chain isoform mRNA expression in response to two resistance exercise intensities with equal volume load in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 29(8): 2326–2332, 2015—The purpose of this study was to determine if resistance exercise intensity, in the context of equal volume load, differentially affected myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in resistance-trained men. In a crossover, uniform-balanced design, 10 male participants (23.7 ± 2.8 years, 178.8 ± 5.9 cm, 85.9 ± 9.2 kg) completed 2 lower-body resistance exercise sessions of different intensities with equal volume load. For the higher-intensity exercise session, participants performed 5 sets of 6 repetitions at 80% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM). For the lower-intensity exercise session, participants performed 3 sets of 16 repetitions at 50% of 1RM. Muscle samples from the vastus lateralis were acquired before exercise (PRE), 45 minutes postexercise (45MINPE), 3 hours postexercise (3HRPE), 24 hours postexercise (24HRPE), and 48 hours postexercise (48HRPE). Statistical analyses of mRNA expression were performed using separate 2 × 5 two-way repeated-measures analyses of variance for each criterion variable (p ⩽ 0.05). There were no statistically significant interactions between intensity and time. Likewise, there were no significant differences between exercise intensity in MHC expression. Expression of mRNA for all MHC isoforms decreased at all postexercise time points, except 3HRPE (p = 0.051), compared with PRE following both exercise bouts (p ⩽ 0.05). The results of this study found no difference in mRNA expression of MHC isoforms as a function of resistance exercise intensity. In addition, in contrast to results found in previous studies of untrained men, MHC mRNA expression seems to decrease in response to acute resistance exercise in previously resistance-trained men.

Effect of resistance exercise intensity on the expression of PGC-1α isoforms and the anabolic and catabolic signaling mediators, IGF-1 and myostatin, in human skeletal muscle

The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute messenger (mRNA) expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) isoforms, insulin-like growth factor-1Ea (IGF-1Ea), and myostatin in response to 2 resistance exercise intensities. In a uniform-balanced, crossover design, 10 participants performed 2 separate testing sessions involving a lower body resistance exercise component consisting of a lower intensity (50% of 1-repetition maximum; 1RM) protocol and a higher intensity (80% of 1RM) protocol of equal volumes. Muscle samples were obtained at before exercise, 45 min, 3 h, 24 h, and 48 h postexercise. Resistance exercise did not alter total PGC-1α mRNA expression; however, distinct responses of each PGC-1α isoform were observed. The response of each isoform was consistent between sessions, suggesting no effect of resistance exercise intensity on the complex transcriptional expression of the PGC-1α gene. IGF-1Ea mRNA expression significantly increased following the higher intensity session compared with pre-exercise and the lower intensity session. Myostatin mRNA expression was significantly reduced compared with pre-exercise values at all time points with no difference between exercise intensity. Further research is needed to determine the effects of the various isoforms of PGC-1α in human skeletal muscle on the translational level as well as their relation to the expression of IGF-1 and myostatin.

A comparison of the effects of ursolic acid and l-leucine supplementation on IGF-1 receptor and AKT-mTOR signaling in response to resistance exercise in trained men

Background Resistance exercise stimulates skeletal muscle protein synthesis (MPS) during post-exercise recovery due to upregulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. L-leucine supplementation is also known to stimulate MPS by activating mTOR signaling. However, recent research has discovered a natural compound called ursolic acid which also appears to stimulate MPS by activating the mTOR signaling pathway, and has been presumed to occur due to IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) up-regulation. Ursolic acid is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid carboxylic acid that is widely found in apple skin and other fruits such as cranberries. The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a single dose of ursolic acid or L-leucine supplementation given immediately after resistance exercise on IGF-1 (a serum regulator of MPS) and the subsequent effects of IGF-1 on phosphorylating/activating its receptor (IGF-1RTyr1131). Furthermore, the purpose was to also determine the effects on signaling intermediates of MPS contained within the Akt/ mTOR pathway (phosphorylated levels of AktThr308, mTORSer2448, p70S6KThr389).

Effects of twenty-eight days of resistance exercise while consuming the commercially available pre- and post-workout supplements, NO-Shotgun® and NO-Synthesize®, on body composition, muscle mass and performance, and clinical safety markers in men

Methods Nineteen non-resistance-trained males were baseline tested and then randomly assigned to participate in a group that engaged in a resistance training program (3 X 8-10-RM) 4 times/wk for 28 days while also ingesting 54 g/day of placebo maltodextrose(PLC) or 27 g/day of NO-Shotgunand 27 g/day of NO-Synthesize (NOSS). For PLC, 27 g were ingested 30 min prior to exerciseand 27 g within 30 min following exercise. NOSS ingested 27 g of NO-Shotgun 30 min prior to exercise and 27 g/day NO-Synthesizewithin 30 min following exercise. Immediately upon waking on non-training days, PLC ingested 27 g of the supplement, whereas NOSS ingested 27 g of NO-Synthesize. On day 29, participants were subjected to follow-up testing. Data were analyzed with separate 2 x 2 ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results For dietary intake, there were no significant differences in total calories/day (p = 0.129) or in the daily amount of protein (p = 0.216), carbohydrate (p = 0.106), and fat (p = 0.665) between groups. For total body mass, both groups increased with training (p = 0.01), but there was no difference between groups (p = 0.793). However, NOSS underwent significant improvements in fat mass (p = 0.226) and fat-free mass (p = 0.023) compared to PLC. Both groups significantly increased muscle strength with training; however, for bench press (p = 0.023) and leg press (p = 0.035) NOSS was significantly greater than PLC. Serum IGF-1 (p = 0.038) and HGF (p = 0.001) were significantly increased with training, but were not different between groups. Myofibrillar protein increased in both groups with training (p = 0.041), with NOSS being significantly greater than PLC (p = 0.050). The levels of Type I, IIA, and IIX MHC were increased in both groups with training; however, Type I (p = 0.013) and IIA (p = 0.05) were significantly greater in NOSS. Muscle c-met was increased with training for both groups (p = 0.030), but not different between groups (p = 0.496). For total DNA, there was no difference between groups (p = 0.322) and neither group was affected by training (p = 0.151). All of the myogenic regulatory factors were increased with training; however, NOSS was significantly greater than PLC for Myo-D (p Exercise and Biochemical Nutrition Lab, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation. Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA Spillane et al. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2011, 8(Suppl 1):P24 http://www.jissn.com/content/8/S1/P24