Acute hematological and mood perception effects of bitter orange extract (p-synephrine) consumed alone and in combination with caffeine: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

The purpose of this study was to examine acute hematological and mood perception responses to supplementation with p-synephrine alone and in combination with caffeine during quiet sitting. Sixteen subjects visited the laboratory on 6 occasions and were given (in randomized double-blind manner) 103-mg p-synephrine (S), 233-mg caffeine + 104-mg p-synephrine, 240-mg caffeine, 337-mg caffeine + 46-mg p-synephrine, 325-mg caffeine, or a placebo (PL). The subjects sat quietly for 3 hr while completing mood state questionnaires every 30 min. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline (pre) and 3 hr (post) to determine immune, lipid, and chemistry panels. Compared with PL, no significant supplement differences were observed during the S trial with the exception of differential time effects seen in hematocrit (decrease in PL, no change in S), triglycerides and very low-density lipoproteins (no changes in PL, significant decreases in S), and iron (no change in PL, significant elevation in S). Supplements containing caffeine showed increased feelings of attention, excitement, energy, and vigor. These data indicate that consumption of 103-mg p-synephrine does not negatively impact acute blood parameters, does not augment the effects of caffeine, or produce stimulant-like perceptual mood effects.

Acute Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Effects of a Sandbag Resistance Exercise Protocol.

Ratamess, NA, Kang, J, Kuper, JD, O'Grady, EA, Ellis, NL, Vought, IT, Culleton, E, Bush, JA, and Faigenbaum, AD. Acute cardiorespiratory and metabolic effects of a sandbag resistance exercise protocol. J Strength Cond Res 32(6): 1491-1502, 2018-The purpose of this study was to examine the acute cardiorespiratory and metabolic effects of a sandbag (SB) resistance exercise protocol and compare the responses to time-matched treadmill running protocols. Eight healthy, resistance-trained men (21.1 ± 1.0 years; 86.1 ± 7.8 kg) completed 4 protocols of equal duration in random sequence: (a) SB, (b) treadmill running at 60% of V[Combining Dot Above]O2 reserve (60V[Combining Dot Above]O2R), (c) treadmill running at 80% of V[Combining Dot Above]O2 reserve (80V[Combining Dot Above]O2R), and (d) a control protocol. The SB protocol was 16 minutes in duration and consisted of 3 circuits of 8 multiple-joint exercises (with 11-, 20-, or 48-kg SBs) performed for as many repetitions as possible for 20 seconds followed by a 10-second rest interval before beginning the next exercise. Two minutes of rest was allowed between circuits. Breath-by-breath oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O2) and heart rate (HR) were recorded throughout each protocol and for 30 minutes postexercise (PE) and blood lactate was determined before and immediately after each protocol. Blood lactate was significantly higher after SB compared with 60V[Combining Dot Above]O2R and 80V[Combining Dot Above]O2R. Mean and peak HR in SB was significantly higher than 60V[Combining Dot Above]O2R but not different from 80V[Combining Dot Above]O2R. Mean V[Combining Dot Above]O2 and energy expenditure (EE) in SB was significantly lower than 60V[Combining Dot Above]O2R and 80V[Combining Dot Above]O2R during each protocol but significantly higher after SB compared with 60V[Combining Dot Above]O2R and 80V[Combining Dot Above]O2R PE. Compared with 60V[Combining Dot Above]O2R and 80V[Combining Dot Above]O2R, respiratory exchange ratio was significantly higher during SB and through 5 minutes PE, but was significantly lower at 25-30 minutes PE after SB. Sandbag, as performed in this study, provides a superior metabolic stimulus to treadmill running during the PE period; however, the SB results demonstrate inferior EE compared with running at 60V[Combining Dot Above]O2R and 80V[Combining Dot Above]O2R.

Acute cardiovascular effects of bitter orange extract (p-synephrine) consumed alone and in combination with caffeine in human subjects: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

The purpose was to examine cardiovascular responses to supplementation with p-synephrine alone and in combination with caffeine during quiet sitting. Sixteen subjects were given (in double-blind manner) either 103 mg of p-synephrine (S), 233 mg of caffeine +104 mg of p-synephrine (LC + S), 240 mg of caffeine (LC), 337 mg of caffeine +46 mg of p-synephrine (HC + S), 325 mg of caffeine (HC), or a placebo. The subjects sat quietly for 3 hr while heart rate (HR) and blood pressure were measured. Only HC + S and HC significantly increased mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) during the second hour and tended to increase mean SBP during the third hour. Mean diastolic blood pressure in S was significantly lower than the other trials during the first and second hours, and mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in S compared to the LC, LC + S, HC, and HC + S trials. No differences were observed in HR. Consumption of p-synephrine may acutely reduce diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure and not affect SBP or HR during quiet sitting. The addition of p-synephrine to caffeine did not augment SBP or HR indicating that consumption of up to 104 mg of p-synephrine does not induce cardiovascular stress during quiet sitting.