The application of trimetazidine in healthy individuals: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Currently, there is no evidence to support trimetazidine (TMZ) administration aimed at enhancing physical performance or post-exercise recovery in healthy individuals or athletes from the general and athletic populations, respectively. Considering the lack of empirical data, from a scientific and practical perspective, it would be interesting to review research with high methodological quality that examines the effects of TMZ on healthy individuals and athletes from various age groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data sources included English articles that were initially searched by keywords utilizing PubMed, Scopus databases, and the Cochrane Library and published prior to November 2022. Thus, a systematic review of the scientific literature was performed with a traditional PRISMA methodology. An initial keyword search found 2,673 publications, and further screening selected 66 articles, of which only two articles met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Two trials examining the effect of TMZ on healthy members of the general population that were published in 2017 and 2019 were analyzed. Publications examining athletes were not recruited for this analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, there are no data reporting a positive effect of TMZ on physical performance, post-exercise recovery, or other health parameters in members of the general population, while its administration is associated with the development of relatively common adverse effects.

IGF-1 response to arm exercise with eccentric and concentric muscle contractions in resistance-trained athletes with left ventricular hypertrophy.

The study aimed at evaluating changes in plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), testosterone, growth hormone (GH), cortisol, and insulin in resistance-trained male athletes with (n=9) and without (n=9) left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in response to eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CON) arm exercise. 10 age-matched healthy non-trained subjects served as controls. M-mode and 2D Doppler echocardiography were used to estimate LV mass.Resting IGF-1 concentration was higher in LVH athletes compared to controls (52 ± 5 nM vs. 46 ± 7 nM, p<0.05). ECC exercise resulted in higher (p<0.05) serum IGF-1 concentrations in athletes with LVH (70 ± 11 nM, n=9) compared to those without LVH (62 ± 10 nM, n=9), and to untrained controls (54 ± 6 nM). Both CON and ECC exercise resulted in higher serum IGFBP-3 levels in LVH athletes compared to controls (242 ± 57 and 274 ± 58, athletes, vs. 215 ± 63 and 244 ± 67, controls, nM, p<0.05). In ECC exercise, GH concentrations were lower in LVH than in non-LVH athletes (4.7 ± 2.1 vs. 6.1 ± 1.8 ng mL(-1), p<0.05). No differences in other hormones were found between groups. In conclusion, LVH is accompanied by elevated resting serum IGF-1 and enhanced response to eccentric arm exercise. These findings suggest a role of IGF-1, possibly released from contracting muscle, in stimulating LV hypertrophy in resistance training.

Anaerobic power, creatine kinase activity, lactate concentration, and acid-base equilibrium changes following bouts of exhaustive strength exercises.

The study was conducted on 10 male bodybuilders and powerlifters who performed highly exhaustive strength exercises for both the upper and lower limbs. They included 10 progressive sets of squats for the lower limbs and 10 progressive sets of the bench press for the upper limbs. Anaerobic power was evaluated by the 30-second Wingate test 3 times: after a 2-day rest period, and 10 minutes and 24 hours after the cessation of exhaustive strength exercises. Blood samples were drawn at rest, 5 minutes, and 24 hours after the strength exercise for the evaluation of creatine kinase (CK) activity, lactate (LA) concentration, and changes in acid-base equilibrium. Relative external work (Wt) evaluated immediately after the cessation of strength exercises decreased significantly for both the lower and upper limbs, whereas relative maximal power (Pmax) did not change significantly throughout the protocol. The return of Pmax and Wt to initial levels within 24 hours occurred in the upper and lower limbs for Pmax and only in the upper limbs for Wt. Postexercise LA concentration was nearly 3 times as high for the lower limbs in comparison to upper limbs, and it remained slightly elevated 24 hours after the cessation of exercise in comparison to resting values. CK activity increased significantly 10 minutes after the intense strength exercises and rose to significantly higher levels 24 hours after the cessation of exercise. The level of serum CK may not be related to the amount of muscle mass utilized in strength exercises. Acid-base equilibrium variable changes were significantly different immediately after the end of the exercise session and returned to resting values 24 hours after the exhaustive exercise protocol. The 2 analyzed anaerobic power indices (Pmax and Wt) were significantly different for the upper and lower limbs under initial circumstances, 5 minutes, and 24 hours after exhaustive exercise, whereas blood variables (LA, CK, pH, and base excess) differed significantly only immediately after the strength protocol.