Effects of controlled doses of Oxyelite Pro on physical performance in rats

Abstract

BackgroundOxyElite Pro (OEP) is a dietary supplement to increase metabolism which contains as key stimulant the ingredient 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA). Serious adverse effects have been reported after OEP consumption however, these effects are related to poisoning or overdose. To our knowledge, no one studied the effects of OEP at controlled doses. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate acute and chronic OEP affects, at controlled doses in Wistar rats, on physical performance, metabolic parameters, liver injury markers and oxidative stress markers and mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle.MethodsRats were divided in control, 4.3 mg OEP/kg, 12.9 mg OEP/kg and 25.8 mg OEP/kg. All groups were submitted to supplementation with OEP for 4 weeks and the experimental protocols were performed 30 min after the first OEP administration (acute response) and 30 min after the last OEP administration at the end of the forth week (chronic response).ResultsRunning distance and running time increased after acute administration of 12.9 mg OEP/kg (2.6-fold) and 25.8 mg OEP/kg (2.8-fold). Since no effect on the exercise tolerance test was observed at the lower OEP dose (4.3 mg OEP/kg), this group was removed from further analyzes. On other hand, running distance and running time decreased after daily supplementation for 4 weeks also in both groups (64% in 12.9 mg OEP/kg and 72% in 25.8 mg OEP/kg). Chronic supplementation at both 12.9 and 25.8 mg OEP/kg decreased TBARS levels in soleus muscle (36 and 31%) and liver (43 and 25%). AOPP was also decreased by both doses in the liver (39 and 45%). Chronic administration of the highest dose, 25.8 mg OEP/kg, was able to reduce mRNA expression of PGC-1α in soleus muscle (25%). No effect was found in other analyses such as spontaneous physical activity, body weight, food and water intake, hepatic toxicity, cardiac oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA amount.ConclusionMaximum and not recommended doses of OEP ingested acutely presented stimulating effect on the ability to exercise. However, its daily consumption for 4 weeks showed antioxidant effects in soleus muscle and liver which may have decreased the PGC-1α mRNA expression on soleus muscle and contributed to the impaired performance in the exercise tolerance test.

Sympathomimetic amine compounds and hepatotoxicity: Not all are alike—Key distinctions noted in a short review

“…For example, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week study in healthy men administered 1,3-dimethylamylamine alone or in combination with caffeine, found no change in markers of oxidative stress, including malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) [77]. Wistar rats given a dietary supplement containing 1,3-dimethylamylamine in fact showed evidence of an anti-oxidative effect including decreases in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and AOPP [78]. This can be contrasted with the increase in markers of oxidative stress (e.g., TBARS) in rat liver cells and in humans (e.g., MDA) who are chronic users of methamphetamine [[79], [80], [81], [82]].…”

Surveillance of the armed forces as a sentinel system for detecting adverse effects of dietary supplements in the general population

“…However, chronic administration (4 weeks) of the supplement impaired exercise performance. The authors concluded the supplement had acute stimulant-like effects on rodents consistent with the pharmacological profile of DMAA and its reported acute effects in man ( 19 ) . In another rodent study, DMAA produced effects on behaviour similar to those produced by cocaine and to a lesser extent methamphetamine ( 20 ) .…”

“…Several animal studies have been conducted to examine various effects of DMAA ( 19 , 20 ) . In one rodent study, acute administration of a DMAA-containing supplement increased running time and distance ( 19 ) . However, chronic administration (4 weeks) of the supplement impaired exercise performance.…”

Examination of some toxicological parameters of dimethylamylamine when consumed alone or with caffeine

“…Our results showed that the concentration of 100 mg/L of DMAA caused an increase in antioxidant levels. A recent study [42] showed that supplements containing DMAA led to an increase in antioxidant parameters of rat soleus muscle and liver. Caffeine treatment also caused a significant increase in the antioxidant level of lymphocytes compared to the control.…”