Enhanced cardiovascular function and energy level by a novel chromium (III)-supplement

Issue title: Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine: From Inflammation to Biotechnology

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Thirunavukkarasu, Mahesh | Penumathsa, SureshVarma | Juhasz, Bela | Zhan, Lijun | Bagchi, Manashi | Yasmin, Taharat | Shara, Michael A. | Thatte, Hemant S. | Bagchi, Debasis | Maulik, Nilanjana

Affiliations: University of Connecticut Medical Center, Molecular Cardiology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Farmington, CT, USA | InterHealth Research Center, Benicia, CA, USA | Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA | VA Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Nilanjana Maulik, Ph.D, FACN, FICA, Molecular Cardiology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-1110, USA. Tel.: +1 860 679 2857; Fax: +1 860 679 2825; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The impetus for the novel Energy Formula (EF) which combines the niacin-bound chromium (III) (0.45%) (NBC), standardized extract of Withania somnifera extracts (10.71%), caffeine (22.76%), D-ribose (10.71%) and selected amino acids such as phenylalanine, taurine and glutamine (55.37%) was based on the knowledge of the cardioprotective potentials of the Withania somnifera extract, caffeine and D-ribose as well as their abilities to increase energy levels and the abilities of amino acids to increase the muscle mass and energy levels. The effect of oral supplementation of EF on the safety, myocardial energy levels and cardioprotective ability were investigated in an ischemic-reperfused myocardium model in both male and female Sprague-Dawley rats over 90 days trial period. At the completion of 90 days, the EF-treated male and female rats gained 9.4% and 3.1% less body weights, respectively, as compared to their corresponding control groups. No significant difference was found in the levels of lipid peroxidation and activities of hepatic Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase and Alkaline phosphatase in EF treatment when compared with control animals. The male and female rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion at 30 and 90 days of EF treatment. Cardiovascular functions including heart rate, coronary flow, aortic flow, dp/dt_{max}, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and infarct size were monitored. The levels of myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP), creatine phosphate (CP), phospho-adenosine monophosphate kinase (p-AMPK) levels, were analyzed at the end of 30 and 90 days of treatment. Significant improvement was observed in all parameters in the EF treatment groups as compared to their corresponding controls. Thus the niacin-bound chromium (III) based energy formula is safe and effective supplement to boost energy levels and cardioprotection.

Keywords: Chromium (III), D-ribose, glutamine, phenylalanine, taurine, ischemia-reperfusion injury, cardiac functions, ATP, CP, p-AMPK

Journal: BioFactors, vol. 27, no. 1-4, pp. 53-67, 2006