PHOSPHATIDIC ACID INCREASES LEAN BODY MASS AND STRENGTH IN RESISTANCE TRAINED MEN

1. PHOSPHATIDIC ACID INCREASES LEAN BODY MASS AND STRENGTH IN RESISTANCE TRAINED MEN David R. Williams1, Adam J. Wells1, Jay R. Hoffman1, Jeffrey R. Stout1, M.S. Fragala1, G.T. Mangine1, A.M. Gonzalez1, N.S. Emerson1, W.P. McCormack1, T.C. Scanlon1, Ralf Jäger2, Martin Purpura2 1Human Performance Laboratory, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 2Increnovo LLC, 2138 E. Lafayette Pl, Milwaukee, WI 53202 ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION CONT. RESULTS CONT. RESULTS (CONT.) BODY COMPOSITION: LM was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. After base line testing, the participants began supplementing PA or PL for 8 weeks during a progressive resistance training program intended for muscular hypertrophy. DATA ANALYSIS: Data was analyzed using magnitude-based inferences on mean changes for BP, SQ and LM. Furthermore, the magnitudes of the inter-relationships between changes in total training volume and LM were interpreted using Pearson correlation coefficients, which had uncertainty (90% confidence limits) of approximately +0.25. Phosphatidic Acid (PA) is a natural phospholipid compound derived from lecithin which is commonly found in egg yolk, grains, fish, soybeans, peanuts and yeast. It has been suggested that PA is involved in several intracellular processes associated with muscle hypertrophy. Specifically, PA has been reported to activate protein synthesis through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and thereby may enhance the anabolic effects of resistance training. To our knowledge, no one has examined the effect of PA supplementation in humans while undergoing a progressive resistance training program. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of PA supplementation on lean soft tissue mass (LM) and strength after 8 weeks of resistance training. METHODS: Fourteen resistance-trained men (mean ± SD; age 22.7 ± 3.3 yrs; height: 1.78 ± 0.10m; weight: 89.3 ± 16.3 kg) volunteered to participate in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated measures study. The participants were assigned to a PA group (750mg/day; Mediator®, ChemiNutra, MN, n=7) or placebo group (PL; rice flower; n=7), delivered in capsule form that was identical in size, shape and color. Participants were tested for 1RM strength in the bench press (BP) and squat (SQ) exercise. LM was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. After base line testing, the participants began supplementing PA or PL for 8 weeks during a progressive resistance training program intended for muscular hypertrophy. Data was analyzed using magnitude-based inferences on mean changes for BP, SQ and LM. Furthermore, the magnitudes of the inter-relationships between changes in total training volume and LM were interpreted using Pearson correlation coefficients, which had uncertainty (90% confidence limits) of approximately +0.25. RESULTS: In the PA group, the relationship between changes in training volume and LM was large (r=0.69, +0.27; 90%CL), however, in the PL group the relationship was small (r=0.21, +0.44; 90%CL). Changes in strength and LM in PA and PL groups, and qualitative inferences about the effects are presented in the table below. CONCLUSION: PA supplementation was determined to be likely beneficial at improving SQ and LM over PL by 26% and 64%, respectively. The strong relationship between changes in total training volume and LM in the PA group suggest that greater training volume most likely lead to the greater changes in LM, however, no such relationship was found with PL group. For the BP data, the PA group resulted in a 42% greater increase in strength over PL, although the effect was considered unclear. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: While more research is needed to elucidate mechanism of action; the current findings suggest that in experienced resistance trained men supplementing 750mg PA per day for 8 weeks may likely benefit greater changes in muscle mass and strength compared with resistance training only. • To our knowledge, no one has examined the effect of PA supplementation in humans while undergoing a progressive resistance training program. PURPOSE • To examine the effect of PA supplementation on lean soft tissue mass (LM) and strength after 8 weeks of resistance training. Figure 2. Mean changes in bench press strength by treatment group. METHODS Table 1. 8 week hypertrophy training protocol. Figure 1. Study protocol. Figure 3. Mean changes in total body lean soft tissue by treatment group. Figure 4. Mean changes in leg lean mass by treatment group. RESULTS SUBJECTS: Fourteen resistance-trained men (mean ± SD; age 22.7 ± 3.3 yrs; height: 1.78 ± 0.10m; weight: 89.3 ± 16.3 kg) volunteered to participate in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated measures study. The participants were assigned to a PA group (750mg/day; Mediator®, ChemiNutra, MN, n=7) or placebo group (PL; rice flower; n=7), delivered in capsule form that was identical in size, shape and color. • In the PA group, the relationship between changes in training volume and LM was large (r=0.69, +0.27; 90%CL), however, in the PL group the relationship was small (r=0.21, +0.44; 90%CL). • Changes in strength and LM in PA and PL groups, and qualitative inferences about the effects are presented in the table below. • Table 2 illustrates changes observed in lean mass, as well as 1RM squat and bench press in PA versus PL. SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS • PA supplementation was determined to be likely beneficial at improving SQ and LM over PL by 26% and 64%, respectively. • The strong relationship between changes in total training volume and LM in the PA group suggest that greater training volume most likely lead to the greater changes in LM, however, no such relationship was found with PL group. • For the BP data, the PA group resulted in a 42% greater increase in strength over PL, although the effect was considered unclear. 1 RM:Participants were tested for 1RM strength in the bench press (BP) and squat (SQ) exercise. Table 2. Pre and post mean changes between treatment groups. INTRODUCTION • Phosphatidic Acid (PA) is a natural phospholipid compound derived from lecithin which is commonly found in egg yolk, grains, fish, soybeans, peanuts and yeast. • It has been suggested that PA is involved in several intracellular processes associated with muscle hypertrophy. • Specifically, PA has been reported to activate protein synthesis through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and thereby may enhance the anabolic effects of resistance training. PRACTICAL APPLICATION • While more research is needed to elucidate mechanism of action; the current findings suggest that in experienced resistance trained men supplementing 750mg PA per day for 8 weeks may likely benefit greater changes in muscle mass and strength compared with resistance training only. 1RM squat pre-test