A Pilot Study to Examine the Effects of an Anti-inflammatory Supplement on Eicosanoid Derivatives in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disease with an inverse relationship between kidney function and levels of inflammation and oxidative stress. Curcumin and Boswellia serrata have been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects on the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to study the effects of a supplement containing curcumin and B. serrata on eicosanoid derivatives in early stage CKD patients who had not initiated hemodialysis. METHODS: Sixteen patients with stage 2 and stage 3 CKD (56.0 ± 16.0 years, 171.4 ± 11.9 cm, 99.3 ± 20.2 kg) were randomized into a treatment group with curcumin and B. serrata or a placebo group. The dependent variables prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 5-hydroxyicosatetraenoic acid, 12-hydroxyicosatetraenoic acid, 15-hydroxyicosatetraenoic acid, and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid were measured both before and after 8 weeks of supplementation. Results were analyzed by using a repeated-measures analysis of covariance for compliance and body-mass index. RESULTS: A significant group effect (p = 0.05), and a trend for Group × Time interaction (p = 0.056) were detected for PGE2. No significant differences were observed for any other variables. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first article of baseline levels of the dependent variables in early stage CKD, and the first article to show a significant effect of these supplements on PGE2 in early stage CKD. Further studies are needed to determine whether curcumin and B. serrata may be effective means to reduce inflammation in patients with CKD.

Creatine supplementation post-exercise does not enhance training-induced adaptations in middle to older aged males.

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated the effects of creatine monohydrate (CrM) consumption post-exercise on body composition and muscle strength in middle to older males following a 12-week resistance training program. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized trial, 20 males aged between 55 and 70 years were randomly assigned to consume either CrM-carbohydrate (CHO) [20 g days(-1) CrM + 5 g days(-1) CHO × 7 days, then 0.1 g kg(-1) CrM + 5 g CHO on training days (average dosage of ~8.8 g)] or placebo CHO (20 g days(-1) CHO × 7 days, then 5 g CHO on training days) while participating in a high intensity resistance training program [3 sets × 10 repetitions at 75% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM)], 3 days weeks(-1) for 12 weeks. Following the initial 7-day "loading" phase, participants were instructed to ingest their supplement within 60 min post-exercise. Body composition and muscle strength measurements, blood collection and vastus lateralis muscle biopsy were completed at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of the supplement and resistance training program. RESULTS: A significant time effect was observed for 1RM bench press (p = 0.016), leg press (p = 0.012), body mass (p = 0.03), fat-free mass (p = 0.005) and total myofibrillar protein (p = 0.005). A trend for larger muscle fiber cross-sectional area in the type II fibers compared to type I fibers was observed following the 12-week resistance training (p = 0.08). No supplement interaction effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Post-exercise ingestion of creatine monohydrate does not provide greater enhancement of body composition and muscle strength compared to resistance training alone in middle to older males.

The use of an anti-inflammatory supplement in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a continuous reduction in kidney function, increased inflammation, and reduced antioxidant capacity. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of a herbal supplement on systemic inflammation and antioxidant status in non-dialysis CKD patients. Sixteen patients with CKD (56.0±16.0 yrs, 171.4±11.9 cm, 99.3±20.2 kg) were randomly chosen to receive a herbal supplement composed of Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata, or placebo. Plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured at baseline and 8 weeks. Baseline data demonstrated elevated inflammation and low antioxidant levels. A significant time effect (p=0.03) and time x compliance interaction effect (p=0.04) were observed for IL-6. No significant differences were observed for any other variables. This study demonstrates that mild and moderate CKD is associated with chronic inflammation and low antioxidant activity. Systemic inflammation and impaired antioxidant status may be greater in CKD populations with multiple comorbidities. Curcumin and Boswellia serrata are safe and tolerable and helped to improve the levels of an inflammatory cytokine.

Rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure in a sickle cell trait athlete: a case study.

This case study reports the clinical details and pathologic mechanisms of a nonfatal case of rhabdomyolysis secondary to heat exhaustion and sickle cell trait (SCT) resulting in acute renal failure. A 19-year-old African American male college football player collapsed after running 5 intervals of 300 m during a preseason conditioning test. After 17 days of treatment, the athlete was released from the hospital to a short-term noncritical care facility for further treatment and dialysis. Scientific literature reports that at least 15 college football players with SCT have died as a result of a sickling crisis after intense physical exertion. This case study presents the clinical importance of prompt medical treatment and sustained low-efficiency dialysis in treating rhabdomyolysis and its sequelae after collapse in an SCT athlete.

Effects of Uric Acid on Lipid Levels in CKD Patients in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have been conducted that compared lipid levels and uric acid in CKD or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients with most using animal models. The purpose of the study was to explore effects on lipids while controlling uric acid levels in CKD patients. METHODS: Twenty-four CKD patients (N = 24) volunteered to participate in this study. The study was conducted using a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled experimental protocol. The experimental group was prescribed 300 mg of allopurinol PO daily by their treating physician and followed prospectively for 8-weeks. The control group consumed a similar pill once a day for 8-weeks. RESULTS: ANCOVA revealed significant differences in total cholesterol (P = 0.009) and Apo B (P = 0.006) with lower levels in the allopurinol group. A trend emerged with LDL (P = 0.052) with lower levels in the allopurinol group. No significant differences were discovered in triglycerides (P = 0.403), HDL (P = 0.762) and total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio (P = 0.455). CONCLUSIONS: After statistically controlling for compliance and inflammation significant differences between groups were observed for total cholesterol and Apo B. In both instances the allopurinol group had lower concentrations than the placebo group. Similarly, a trend was observed in LDL with the allopurinol group having lower concentrations than the placebo group.

The effects of fish oil supplementation on markers of inflammation in chronic kidney disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: One prevalent characteristic of all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines. Fish oil (FO) supplementation has been reported to lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines. The benefits of FO for an extensive range of populations and a variety of health concerns are apparent, yet the anti-inflammatory benefits for nondialysis CKD patients are not as well documented. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the daily consumption of FO (1,400 mg eicosapentaenoic acid + 1,000 mg docosahexaenoic acid) on interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) for 8 weeks in nondialysis CKD patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention, the effect of 8 weeks of FO administration on IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in nondialysis CKD patients were evaluated. INTERVENTION: Thirty-one nondialysis CKD patients (17 = FO; 14 = placebo) randomly received either FO dietary supplementation 2.4 g/day (1,400 mg eicosapentaenoic acid + 1,000 mg docosahexaenoic acid) or placebo (safflower oil) for 8 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were all measured as markers of inflammation. RESULTS: One-way analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in IL-6 (P = .06), IL-1ß (P = .18), and TNF-α (P = .20) between groups in pretest values. Additionally, no pretest differences existed between groups for age (P = .549), weight (P = .324), waist circumference (P = .086), gender (P = .591), and ethnicity (P = .875). Covariance was calculated using compliance, age, gender, ethnicity, body weight, and waist circumference as covariates. No significant differences were discovered between groups after FO supplementation for IL-6 (P = .453) and TNF-α (P = .242). A significant difference was discovered for IL-1ß (P = .050) with lower levels in the FO group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study are in agreement with some previous studies that suggest that FO supplementation has no effect on plasma proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α or IL-6, but does have an effect on IL-1ß in nondialysis CKD patients.

Ingestion of 10 grams of whey protein prior to a single bout of resistance exercise does not augment Akt/mTOR pathway signaling compared to carbohydrate.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the effects of a whey protein supplement in conjunction with an acute bout of lower body resistance exercise, in recreationally-active males, on serum insulin and insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and Akt/mTOR signaling markers indicative of muscle protein synthesis: insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) and 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1). METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design, 10 males ingested 1 week apart, either 10 g of whey protein (5.25 g EAAs) or carbohydrate (maltodextrose), 30 min prior to a lower-body resistance exercise bout. The resistance exercise bout consisted of 4 sets of 8-10 reps at 80% of the one repetition maximum (RM) on the angled leg press and knee extension exercises. Blood and muscle samples were obtained prior to, and 30 min following supplement ingestion and 15 min and 120 min post-exercise. Serum and muscle data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed for IGF-1 (p > 0.05). A significant main effect for Test was observed for serum insulin (p < 0.01) at 30 min post-ingestion and 15 and 120 min post-exercise, with no Supplement × Test interaction (p > 0.05). For the Akt/MTOR signaling intermediates, no significant Supplement × Test interactions were observed (p > 0.05). However, significant main effects for Test were observed for phosphorylated concentrations of IRS, mTOR, and p70S6K, as all were elevated at 15 min post-exercise (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant main effect for Test was noted for 4E-BP1 (p < 0.05), as it was decreased at 15 min post-exercise. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of 10 g of whey protein prior to an acute bout of lower body resistance exercise had no significant preferential effect compared to carbohydrate on systemic and cellular signaling markers indicative of muscle protein synthesis in untrained individuals.

Differential gene expression of FoxO1, ID1, and ID3 between young and older men and associations with muscle mass and function.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Aging is associated with significant losses of skeletal muscle mass and function. Numerous biochemical molecules have been implicated in the development of these age-related changes, however evidence from human models is sparse. Assessment of transcript expression is useful as it requires minimal tissue and may potentially be used in clinical trials. This study aimed to compare mRNA expression of proteolytic genes in skeletal muscle of young (18-35 yrs) and older (55-75 yrs) men. METHODS: Muscle tissue was obtained from young (n=14, 21.35±1.03 yrs) and older (n=13, 63.85±1.83 yrs) men using percutaneous biopsy, and transcript expression was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Lower limb muscle mass was assessed using DEXA while concentric peak torque (PT) and power were assessed via isokinetic dynamometer. When age-related differences in mRNA expression were observed, Pearson correlation coefficients were obtained to examine the relationship of transcripts to muscle mass and function. RESULTS: Older muscle contained significantly more transcript for Forkhead Box O 1 (FoxO1, p=0.001), Inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (ID1, p=0.009), and Inhibitor of DNA Binding 3 (ID3, p=0.043) than young muscle. FoxO1 was significantly correlated with lean mass (R=-0.44, p=0.023) and PT (R=-0.40, p=0.046) while ID3 was significantly correlated with PT (R=-0.58, p=0.001) and power (R=-0.65, p<0.001). Moreover, ID1 was significantly correlated with all assessed measures of muscle function - mass (R=-0.39, p=0.046), PT (R=-0.53, p=0.005), and power (R=-0.520, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that FoxO1, ID1, and ID3 are potentially useful as clinical biomarkers of age-related muscle atrophy and dysfunction.

Reverse epidemiology of lipid-death associations in a cohort of end-stage renal disease patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with hypercholesterolemia as a major cause. A few studies have demonstrated counter-intuitive findings known as reverse epidemiology where normal levels of cholesterol are associated with higher levels of mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are reverse epidemiological associations between lipid risk factors and mortality in ESRD patients. METHODS: ESRD (n = 438) patients were recruited from 4 outpatient dialysis units. Patients were tracked for 36 months until study completion or death with mortality status as the outcome measure. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance revealed significant differences at posttest and reverse epidemiological effects for total cholesterol (p = 0.0001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (p = 0.023), LDL particle number (p = 0.0001), LDL size (p = 0.009), triglycerides (p = 0.0001), and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.036). A step-wise linear regression revealed weak, but significant predictors of mortality with total cholesterol (ß = 0.263, p = 0.017) and LDL (ß = -0.177, p = 0.045). A Cox death hazard ratio revealed LDL size as a significant predictor of mortality in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Our study discovered reverse epidemiology in a number of lipid variables. Additionally regression revealed that LDL and total cholesterol were predictors of mortality with lower levels being more predictive of death.

A review of weight control strategies and their effects on the regulation of hormonal balance.

The estimated prevalence of obesity in the USA is 72.5 million adults with costs attributed to obesity more than 147 billion dollars per year. Though caloric restriction has been used extensively in weight control studies, short-term success has been difficult to achieve, with long-term success of weight control being even more elusive. Therefore, novel approaches are needed to control the rates of obesity that are occurring globally. The purpose of this paper is to provide a synopsis of how exercise, sleep, psychological stress, and meal frequency and composition affect levels of ghrelin, cortisol, insulin GLP-1, and leptin and weight control. We will provide information regarding how hormones respond to various lifestyle factors which may affect appetite control, hunger, satiety, and weight control.

A structured diet and exercise program promotes favorable changes in weight loss, body composition, and weight maintenance.

BACKGROUND: A number of diet and exercise programs purport to help promote and maintain weight loss. However, few studies have compared the efficacy of different methods. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether adherence to a meal-replacement-based diet program (MRP) with encouragement to increase physical activity is as effective as following a more structured meal-plan-based diet and supervised exercise program (SDE) in sedentary obese women. DESIGN: Randomized comparative effectiveness trial. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: From July 2007 to October 2008, 90 obese and apparently healthy women completed a 10-week university-based weight loss trial while 77 women from this cohort also completed a 24-week weight maintenance phase. INTERVENTION: Participants were matched and randomized to participate in an MRP or SDE program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight loss, health, and fitness-related data were assessed at 0 and 10 weeks on all subjects as well as at 14, 22, and 34 weeks on participants who completed the weight maintenance phase. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures. RESULTS: During the 10-week weight loss phase, moderate and vigorous physical activity levels were significantly higher in the SDE group with no differences observed between groups in daily energy intake. The SDE group lost more weight (-3.1 ± 3.7 vs -1.6 ± 2.5 kg; P = 0.03); fat mass (-2.3 ± 3.5 vs -0.9 ± 1.6 kg; P = 0.02); centimeters from the hips (-4.6 ± 7 vs -0.2 ± 6 cm; P = 0.002) and waist (-2.9 ± 6 vs -0.6 ± 5 cm; P = 0.05); and, experienced a greater increase in peak aerobic capacity than participants in the MRP group. During the 24-week maintenance phase, participants in the SDE group maintained greater moderate and vigorous physical activity levels, weight loss, fat loss, and saw greater improvement in maximal aerobic capacity and strength. CONCLUSIONS: In sedentary and obese women, an SDE-based program appears to be more efficacious in promoting and maintaining weight loss and improvements in markers of health and fitness compared to an MRP type program with encouragement to increase physical activity.

The effects of lowering uric acid levels using allopurinol on markers of metabolic syndrome in end-stage renal disease patients: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Allopurinol was administered to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with elevated uric acid levels presenting with symptoms of gout and also had risk factors of metabolic syndrome. The primary aim of this pilot study was to examine the effects of lowering uric acid levels using allopurinol on lipoprotein markers of metabolic syndrome in patients. METHODS: The study was conducted using a prospective open-label protocol. End-stage renal disease patients (n=12) (mean age: 45.8+/- 13.6 years) undergoing chronic hemodialysis were recruited through their treating physician to participate in this study. All patients had ESRD and were prescribed allopurinol (300 mg/bid) for gout over a 3-month period. Pre-allopurinol and post-allopurinol data was obtained on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, LDL particle number, LDL particle size, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, large HDL particle number, total cholesterol, triglycerides, large very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle number, and uric acid. Changes in lipid values were measured using a one-sample exact Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Significant changes occurred in the primary outcome measures of serum uric acid levels (-3.53 mg/dL, p=0.01), LDL cholesterol (-14.00 mg/dL, p=0.04), and triglycerides (32.67 mg/dL, p=0.01). Trends were observed in lipid markers that warrant further investigation. CONCLUSION: Novel findings of our study suggest that lowering uric acid in ESRD patients may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in this population. It should be noted than an increase in triglycerides may mitigate the reduction in risk.

Protease supplementation improves muscle function after eccentric exercise.

UNLABELLED: Protease supplementation has been purported to reduce the damaging effects of eccentric exercise and accelerate recovery of muscle function, possibly by regulating inflammation. PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of protease supplementation in attenuating eccentric exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage and inflammation. METHODS: After standard physical and hemodynamic assessment and fasting venous blood samples, subjects performed isokinetic extension/flexion of the quadriceps group on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer at 60°·s(-1), followed by VO2max testing. Subjects were randomly assigned to consume 5.83 g daily of either a cellulose placebo (N = 15; 22.27 ± 3.33 yr, 71.17 ± 2.91 inches, 179.4 ± 24.05 lb, 50.55 ± 5.66 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) or a proteolytic supplement containing fungal proteases, bromelain, and papain (N = 14; 22.85 ± 5.9 yr, 70.0 ± 2.67 inches, 173.11 ± 29.94 lb, 49.69 ± 6.15 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) for a period of 21 d. After the supplementation period, subjects donated blood samples before performing a 45-min downhill (-17.5%) treadmill protocol at 60% of VO2max. An additional four blood draws and three muscle function tests were performed during the next 48 h. Blood was analyzed using standard hematology and clinical chemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and bead array. Blood data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with repeated measures, whereas Biodex data were analyzed using a MANOVA on %Δ values. RESULTS: Significant group differences (T1-T3, P = 0.033; T1-T4, P = 0.043) and another strong trend (T1-3 h, P = 0.055) were observed for flexion (peak torque %Δ at 60°·s(-1)) indicating higher force production in the protease group. Significant group × time interactions (P < 0.05) were observed, including elevations in circulating eosinophils and basophils in the protease group coinciding with lower levels of serum cyclooxygenase 2, interleukin 6, and interleukin 12 in this group. CONCLUSIONS: Protease supplementation seems to attenuate muscle strength losses after eccentric exercise by regulating leukocyte activity and inflammation.

Effects of eccentric treadmill exercise on inflammatory gene expression in human skeletal muscle.

The present study examined the skeletal muscle expression of several genes related to the inflammatory process before and after a bout of downhill running. Twenty-nine males between the ages of 18 and 35 years performed a 45-min downhill (-17.5%) treadmill protocol at 60% of maximal oxygen consumption. Venous bloods samples and muscle biopsy samples from the vastus lateralis were donated prior to and at 3-h and 24-h postexercise, along with ratings of perceived muscle soreness. Serum creatine kinase (CK) was determined, as was skeletal muscle gene expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-12 (p35), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1beta, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), and nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) (p105/p50). Gene expression was analyzed using RT-PCR and compared with a standard housekeeping gene (beta-actin). Data were analyzed for statistical differences using multivariate analysis of variance with univariate follow-up. In addition, Pearson correlations were conducted to determine if any significant relationship exists between any of these transcripts and both CK and muscle soreness. Significant (p < 0.05) up-regulations in IL-6, IL-8, and COX2 mRNA expression were observed compared with baseline, whereas no significant changes for IL-12, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, or NFkB were noted. Significant increases in IL-6 mRNA were observed at 3 h (p < 0.001) and 24 h (p = 0.043), whereas significant increases in IL-8 (p = 0.001) and COX2 (p = 0.046) mRNA were observed at 3-h postexercise. In addition, muscle soreness was significantly correlated with IL-8 at 24 h (r = -0.370; p = 0.048), whereas CK was significantly related to NFkB at baseline (r = -0.460; p = 0.012). These data indicate that increases in the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8, and COX2 occur in the vastus lateralis as a result of damaging eccentric exercise in young, recreationally trained males. Further, it appears that IL-8 transcription may play some role in inhibiting postexercise muscle soreness, possibly through regulation of angiogenesis.

Effects of 28 days of resistance exercise and consuming a commercially available pre-workout supplement, NO-Shotgun(R), on body composition, muscle strength and mass, markers of satellite cell activation, and clinical safety markers in males.

PURPOSE: This study determined the effects of 28 days of heavy resistance exercise combined with the nutritional supplement, NO-Shotgun(R), on body composition, muscle strength and mass, markers of satellite cell activation, and clinical safety markers. METHODS: Eighteen non-resistance-trained males participated in a resistance training program (3 x 10-RM) 4 times/wk for 28 days while also ingesting 27 g/day of placebo (PL) or NO-Shotgun(R) (NO) 30 min prior to exercise. Data were analyzed with separate 2 x 2 ANOVA and t-tests (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Total body mass was increased in both groups (p = 0.001), but without any significant increases in total body water (p = 0.77). No significant changes occurred with fat mass (p = 0.62); however fat-free mass did increase with training (p = 0.001), and NO was significantly greater than PL (p = 0.001). Bench press strength for NO was significantly greater than PL (p = 0.003). Myofibrillar protein increased with training (p = 0.001), with NO being significantly greater than PL (p = 0.019). Serum IGF-1 (p = 0.046) and HGF (p = 0.06) were significantly increased with training and for NO HGF was greater than PL (p = 0.002). Muscle phosphorylated c-met was increased with training for both groups (p = 0.019). Total DNA was increased in both groups (p = 0.006), while NO was significantly greater than PL (p = 0.038). For DNA/protein, PL was decreased and NO was not changed (p = 0.014). All of the myogenic regulatory factors were increased with training; however, NO was shown to be significantly greater than PL for Myo-D (p = 0.008) and MRF-4 (p = 0.022). No significant differences were located for any of the whole blood and serum clinical chemistry markers (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: When combined with heavy resistance training for 28 days, NO-Shotgun(R) is not associated with any negative side effects, nor does it abnormally impact any of the clinical chemistry markers. Rather, NO-Shotgun(R) effectively increases muscle strength and mass, myofibrillar protein content, and increases the content of markers indicative of satellite cell activation.

Effects of acute and 14-day coenzyme Q10 supplementation on exercise performance in both trained and untrained individuals.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether acute (single dose) and/or chronic (14-days) supplementation of CoQ10 will improve anaerobic and/or aerobic exercise performance by increasing plasma and muscle CoQ10 concentrations within trained and untrained individuals. METHODS: Twenty-two aerobically trained and nineteen untrained male and female subjects (26.1 +/- 7.6 yrs, 172 +/- 8.7 cm, 73.5 +/- 17 kg, and 21.2 +/- 7.0%) were randomized to ingest in a double-blind manner either 100 mg of a dextrose placebo (CON) or a fast-melt CoQ10 supplement (CoQ10) twice a day for 14-days. On the first day of supplementation, subjects donated fasting blood samples and a muscle biopsy. Subjects were then given 200 mg of the placebo or the CoQ10 supplement. Sixty minutes following supplement ingestion, subjects completed an isokinetic knee extension endurance test, a 30-second wingate anaerobic capacity test, and a maximal cardiopulmonary graded exercise test interspersed with 30-minutes of recovery. Additional blood samples were taken immediately following each exercise test and a second muscle biopsy sample was taken following the final exercise test. Subjects consumed twice daily (morning and night), 100 mg of either supplement for a period of 14-days, and then returned to the lab to complete the same battery of tests. Data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with an alpha of 0.05. RESULTS: Plasma CoQ10 levels were significantly increased following 2 weeks of CoQ10 supplementation (p < 0.001); while a trend for higher muscle CoQ10 levels was observed after acute CoQ10 ingestion (p = 0.098). A trend for lower serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) was observed following acute supplementation with CoQ10 (p = 0.06), whereas serum malondialdehyde (MDA) tended to be significantly higher (p < 0.05). Following acute ingestion of CoQ10, plasma CoQ10 levels were significantly correlated to muscle CoQ10 levels; maximal oxygen consumption; and treadmill time to exhaustion. A trend for increased time to exhaustion was observed following 2 weeks of CoQ10 supplementation (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Acute supplementation with CoQ10 resulted in higher muscle CoQ10 concentration, lower serum SOD oxidative stress, and higher MDA levels during and following exercise. Chronic CoQ10 supplementation increased plasma CoQ10 concentrations and tended to increase time to exhaustion. Results indicate that acute and chronic supplementation of CoQ10 may affect acute and/or chronic responses to various types of exercise.