Healthy
Conditions
Keywords
pine bark extract, exercise performance, Maximal oxygen consumption
Brief summary
This research proposal aims to elucidate the physiological responses to pine bark extract supplementation during a single bout of high-intensity cycling exercise at 70% VO₂max and the subsequent recovery phase. Specifically, the study seeks to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which pine bark extract modulates exercise-induced fatigue and metabolic fitness, and to determine whether such supplementation may enhance endurance performance in the post-recovery period.
Detailed description
The primary active component of natural pine bark extract (PBE) is proanthocyanidins, which possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endothelial function-enhancing properties. These attributes suggest its potential as an ergogenic aid to improve exercise performance. In this study, 14 healthy participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 300 mg/day of PBE or a placebo for 4 consecutive days. Following supplementation, participants will consume a low-calorie meal (300 kcal) accompanied by either the placebo or PBE and rest for one hour. One hour after capsule ingestion, participants will perform a 60-minute cycling exercise at 70% VO₂max. Upon completion of the exercise challenge, they will consume a post-exercise meal adjusted to body weight. After a 3-hour recovery period, subjects will undergo an anaerobic power test followed by an endurance test at 75% VO₂max to volitional exhaustion. Gas exchange and blood samples will be collected at multiple time points: pre- and post-initial cycling session, during the recovery phase, and following the exhaustive endurance test. Gas samples will be analyzed to determine rates of fat and carbohydrate oxidation. Blood biomarkers will be assessed for glucose, superoxidase dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and uric acid (UA).
Interventions
The Placebo capsule supplement was taken for 4 days (3 capsules per day)
OTHERPBE (PBE trial)
The PBE capsule supplement was taken for 4 days, with a daily dosage of 300 mg of PBE (equivalent to 3 capsules per day, each containing 100 mg of PBE).
Sponsors
China Medical University Hospital
National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan
China Medical University, Taiwan
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
The study recruited 14 healthy adult, all of whom engage in regular physical training. Participants were crossed over for Pine bark extract or placebo supplements, which could be ended in two days.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* A minimum of three years of regular exercise habits.
Exclusion criteria
* Have smoking and drinking habits. * People who feel unwell due to other reasons during the experiment. * Individuals with respiratory disorders. * Severe lower limb musculoskeletal injuries within the past six months.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Exhaustion (TTE) | Baseline and at the end of the 4-week crossover period. | The total duration (in minutes) from the start of the graded exercise test until the participant reaches volitional exhaustion or can no longer maintain the required cadence of 60 RPM. Unit of Measure: Minutes |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) Concentration | 7 time points (Baseline, START, END, 0 min, 60 min, 120 min, 180 min in two ergometer trials) during each crossover trial. | A pro-inflammatory cytokine measured in serum using a commercial ELISA kit (BioLegend) to evaluate the inflammatory response.Unit of Measure: Picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) |
| Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Activity | 7 time points (Baseline, START, END, 0 min, 60 min, 120 min, 180 min in two ergometer trials) during each crossover trial. | biomarker used to evaluate total antioxidant capacity. Serum SOD activity is measured using a commercial colorimetric assay kit and read with an ELISA plate reader.Unit of Measure: Units per milliliter (U/mL). |
| Blood Glucose Levels | 7 time points (Baseline, START, END, 0 min, 60 min, 120 min, 180 min in two ergometer trials) during each crossover trial. | Estimated from blood using the glucometer to assess glycemic response during the trials. |
| Uric Acid (UA) Levels | 7 time points (Baseline, START, END, 0 min, 60 min, 120 min, 180 min in two ergometer trials) during each crossover trial. | Measured in serum as a marker of metabolic stress and muscle damage using commercial analytical reagents. Unit of Measure: Milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). |
| Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Activity | 7 time points (Baseline, START, END, 0 min, 60 min, 120 min, 180 min in two ergometer trials) during each crossover trial. | Description: A biomarker of muscle damage measured in serum using an automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Beckman Coulter AU5800). Unit of Measure: Units per Liter (U/L) |
| Serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Concentration | 7 time points (Baseline, START, END, 0 min, 60 min, 120 min, 180 min in two ergometer trials) during each crossover trial. | A pro-inflammatory cytokine measured in serum using a commercial ELISA kit (BioLegend) to evaluate the inflammatory response. Unit of Measure: Picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) |
| Malondialdehyde (MDA) Levels | 7 time points (Baseline, START, END, 0 min, 60 min, 120 min, 180 min in two ergometer trials) during each crossover trial. | A standard biomarker of lipid peroxidation. Serum MDA levels are determined using a commercial ELISA kit to assess oxidative stress status. Unit of Measure: micromolar (μM) |
| Serum Creatine Kinase (CK) Concentration | 7 time points (Baseline, START, END, 0 min, 60 min, 120 min, 180 min in two ergometer trials) during each crossover trial. | A biomarker of muscle damage measured in serum using an automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Beckman Coulter AU5800). Unit of Measure: Units per Liter (U/L) |
| Carbohydrate (CHO) Oxidation Rate | 7 time points (Baseline, START, END, 0 min, 60 min, 120 min, 180 min in two ergometer trials) during each crossover trial. | Determined using VO 2 and VCO 2 data collected during the cycling challenge. Calculated using the equation: 4.585×VCO2 -3.226×VO2 . Unit of Measure: grams per minute (g/min) |
| Fat Oxidation Rate | 7 time points (Baseline, START, END, 0 min, 60 min, 120 min, 180 min in two ergometer trials) during each crossover trial. | Determined using VO 2 and VCO 2 data collected during the cycling challenge. Calculated using the Frayn equation: 1.695×VO 2 -1.701×VCO 2 . Unit of Measure: grams per minute (g/min) |
| Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) | 7 time points (Baseline, START, END, 0 min, 60 min, 120 min, 180 min in two ergometer trials) during each crossover trial. | Calculated as the ratio of carbon dioxide production ($VCO\_2$) to oxygen consumption ($VO\_2$). It reflects the relative contribution of carbohydrates and fats to energy metabolism. Unit of Measure: Ratio (Unitless) |
| Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2max) | Baseline and at the end of the 4-week crossover period. | Measured using a graded exercise test on a stationary ergometer. VO2max is defined as the plateau in oxygen uptake despite an increase in workload, confirmed when at least two of the following criteria are met: (1) RER \> 1.10, (2) VO2 plateau (\< 2 ml/kg/min change), or (3) attainment of age-predicted maximum heart rate. Unit of Measure: ml/kg/min |
| Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Vigor Subscale Score | Measured immediately after each cycling challenge at baseline and at the end of the 4-week crossover trial. | A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the positive mood state of vigor. It consists of specific adjectives scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of vigor. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale |
| Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Self-esteem Subscale Score | Measured immediately after each cycling challenge at baseline and at the end of the 4-week crossover trial. | A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the mood state of self-esteem. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-esteem. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale |
| Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Tension Subscale Score | Measured immediately after each cycling challenge at baseline and at the end of the 4-week crossover trial. | A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of tension. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of tension. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale |
| Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Confusion Subscale Score | Measured immediately after each cycling challenge at baseline and at the end of the 4-week crossover trial. | A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of confusion. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of confusion. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale |
| Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Anger Subscale Score | Measured immediately after each cycling challenge at baseline and at the end of the 4-week crossover trial. | A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of anger. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of anger. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale |
| Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Fatigue Subscale Score | Measured immediately after each cycling challenge at baseline and at the end of the 4-week crossover trial. | A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of fatigue. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of fatigue. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale |
| Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Depression Subscale Score | Measured immediately after each cycling challenge at baseline and at the end of the 4-week crossover trial. | A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of depression. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of depression. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale |
Countries
Taiwan
Contacts
STUDY_CHAIRJung-Piao Tsao
China Medical University, China
Outcome results
None listed