Research Update #3

by Hypertrophy

As we approach the new millennium we find the science of building muscle progressing faster than ever before. Long gone are the days of simple trial and error when it comes to building muscle. The modern bodybuilder demands more than just "hear say" if they are to adopt a new training routine or nutritional supplement. This column was created to keep today’s bodybuilder on the cutting edge of scientific research that might benefit them in their quest for body perfection.

Forgotten Supplement Raises IGF-1 levels in Athletes!

Title: Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on serum IGF-I, IgG, hormone, and saliva IgA during training.

Researchers: Mero A, Miikkulainen H, Riski J, Pakkanen R, Aalto J, Takala T, Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyvaskyla, 40351 Jyvaskyla, Finland.

Source: J Appl Physiol 1997 Oct;83(4):1144-1151  

Summary:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of bovine colostrum supplementation (Bioenervi) on serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), immunoglobulin G, hormone, and amino acid and saliva immunoglobulin A concentrations during a strength and speed training period. Nine male sprinters and jumpers underwent three randomized experimental training treatments of 8 days separated by 13 days. The only difference in the treatments was the drink of 125 ml consumed per day. Post-training increases were noticed for serum IGF-I in the 25-ml Bioenervi treatment (125 ml contained 25 ml Bioenervi) and especially in the 125-ml Bioenervi treatment (125 ml contained 125 ml Bioenervi) compared with the placebo (normal milk whey) treatment. The change in IGF-I concentration during the 8-day periods correlated positively with the change in insulin concentration during the same periods with 25-ml Bioenervi treatment and with 125-ml Bioenervi treatment. Serum immunoglobulin G, hormone, and amino acid and saliva immunoglobulin A responses were similar during the three treatments. It appears that a bovine colostrum supplement (Bioenervi) may increase serum IGF-I concentration in athletes during strength and speed training.

Discussion:

Colostrum is the first milk that is secreted by the mother after giving birth. It is clear to yellowish in color and excreted in relatively small amounts compared to the volume whole milk that follows. This substance is rich in essential nutrients as well as immunoglobulins and growth factors. The digestive system of a new born infant is such that whole proteins such as the immunoglobulins and growth factors can be absorbed intact. It is essential for the infant to ingest colostrum immediately after birth to ensure proper functioning of the immune system and early growth. Although life extensionists are very interested in the potential ability of colostrum to boost immunity, we as bodybuilders are more interested in the growth factors, particularly Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1). The concentration of IGF-1 in colostrum ranges from 200-2,000 ug/l depending on the batch. Compare this to normal whole milk which contains <10 ug/l. IGF-1 is thought to act both systemically as well as locally to enhance muscle growth. In the presents of IGF-1, myogenic stem cells will multiply and differentiate into "pre-muscle cells" which then fuse to existing muscle cells that are undergoing adaptive growth. This fusion allows the growing muscle cell to increase the number of nuclei in the cell and thereby increase protein synthetic and metabolic capacity. This process allows the cell to increase it’s volume and protein content without compromising muscle function. Bovine (cow) IGF-1 has been tested for genetic similarity to human IGF-1 and was found to be identical. So theoretically, if IGF-1 could be absorbed from bovine colostrum in adult humans it may have the ability to enhance the anabolic milieu.

This study brings up a lot of questions. First of all, we may need to rethink the notion that the acidic environment of the adult GI track is to harsh for colostrum to be of any benefit. Until now, most "in the know" bodybuilders have chuckled when seeing colostrum on the shelf of their favorite health food store. "There’s a sucker born every minute", I can remember thinking. Of course all of this scepticism was based on an assumption that the growth factors which exist as whole proteins would be degraded just like all the other proteins we eat in order to be absorbed across the brush border membrane in the intestine. Is it possible that small quantities of IGF-1 are getting through? Or perhaps there are low molecular weight peptides found in colostrum that are acting to stimulate the endogenous production of IGF-1?

One other point of interest was the choice of the researchers to use athletes instead of mere mortals. Although the number of subjects was small (9), at least they were already conditioned and participating in a strength training program.

The overall changes in serum IGF-1 were small. The average increase being only .54 nmol/l per day. The authors suggest that although this change is small, it was shown to increase in a dose and time dependant manner. So for example, if the study were carried out of 20 days, the change would have been 10.8 nmol/l per day. Average serum levels in adults is ~200ug/l. No other hormone levels measured showed any significant difference between groups. Did this small increase in serum IGF-1 lead to readily seen improvements in size, strength and performance? After all it was only an 8 day treatment. One week is hardly sufficient to see real gains after any kind of intervention.

Keep in mind that two of the researchers involved in this study were employed by Viable Bioproducts. Viable Bioproducts is the manufacturer of the colostrum used in this study. Is there a possibility of bias? You bet. What needs to happen is for this study to be replicated by other scientists with perhaps a few improvements such as the length of the study and number of participants.

Keep your eye out for more research looking at the ability of colostrum to increase serum IGF-1 levels in adult humans. If you are optimistic about this and would like to try it out on good faith, be sure to be an educated shopper. You should request a bioassay of the particular batch from which your order was taken. The colostrum should also be from the "first milking" to assure the highest concentrations of growth factors. As for now, the price and availability of colostrum are good. If more research appears to confirm the effects of colostrum, expect the price to skyrocket.

New method of training promises to increase strength gains by 300%! And they’ve got proof!

Title: Effect of vibratory stimulation training on maximal force and flexibility.

Researchers: Issurin VB, Liebermann DG, Tenenbaum G; Ribstein Center for Research and Sport Medicine Sciences, Wingate Institute, Wingate Post, Israel.

Source: J Sports Sci 1994 Dec;12(6):561-566

Summary:

In this study, we investigated a new method of training for maximal strength and flexibility, which included exertion with superimposed vibration (vibratory stimulation, VS) on target muscles (seated rows with torso supported). Twenty-eight male athletes were divided into three groups, and trained three times a week for 3 weeks in one of the following conditions: (A) conventional exercises for strength of the arms [and back] and VS stretching exercises for the legs; (B) VS strength exercises for the arms [and back] and conventional stretching exercises for the legs; (C) irrelevant training (control group). The vibration was applied at 44 Hz while its amplitude was 3 mm. The effect of training was evaluated by means of isotonic maximal force, heel-to-heel length in the two-leg split across, and flex-and-reach test for body flexion. The VS strength training yielded an average increase in isotonic maximal strength of 49.8%, compared with an average gain of 16% with conventional training, while no gain was observed for the control group. The VS flexibility training resulted in an average gain in the legs split of 14.5 cm compared with 4.1 cm for the conventional training and 2 cm for the control groups, respectively. It was concluded that superimposed vibrations applied for short periods allow for increased gains in maximal strength and flexibility. 

Discussion:

Embedded deep within skeletal muscle are sensory organs called muscle spindles. They are called "spindles" because of their shape. Muscle spindles are arranged in parallel with the muscle fibers. Muscle spindle organelles are only about 4-7 mm long but they have long tendinous filaments that extend the length of the muscle and attach to the muscle tendons on either end. Muscle spindles are sensitive to both length and rate of stretch of a muscle. The greater the stretch, the more rapid the discharge of the spindle. Faster rates of stretch also elicit faster discharge rates than slower rates of stretch. The spindle’s function is to give proprioceptive, or body position, information and to regulate muscle length by initiating involuntary muscle contraction in response to rapid stretch. In this study, it’s probable that muscle spindles were activated by the vibratory stimulation (VS) resulting in enhanced motor-neural activation during the performance of the exercise. This additional motor unit activity of the muscle would result in increased muscle tension.

The researchers chose to set the vibration frequency at 44 oscillations per second (44 Hz) because this corresponds with the natural moto-neural discharge frequency that elicits the greatest contractile force in muscle tissue.

There are some exciting issues and some disappointing issues brought out by this study. First the disappointments. The length of this study was very short lasting only three weeks. Little information about the effects of vibratory stimulation on muscle hypertrophy could be extrapolated from such a short period of time. Another shortcoming of this study design was that only one exercise was used, namely, seated rows with the torso supported. Sketches of the machine and experimental setting indicate that any exercise that can be done on a cable machine could have been incorporated into the study. In addition, the authors provide no information about tissue microtrauma or delayed onset muscle soreness. This information may give suggestion as to the mechanism by which vibratory stimulation brought about such dramatic increases in strength. The authors suggest enhanced "motor learning" yet increased muscle microtrauma leading to enhanced satellite cell activity may also play a role. Finally, the apparatus used in this study was constructed specifically for this experiment. The vibration was produced by a motor with rotating discs placed off of their center. The resistance was provided by a cable apparatus that passed through the vibratory stimulation device. This type of apparatus could not be reproduced by the average individual, so until some enterprising company decides to produce their own vibratory stimulation machine we are out of luck.

On the upside, the subjects in this study were "athletes". All of the subjects were actively involved in athletics which is unusual for a strength training study. Most studies of this type utilize "previously untrained" volunteers. Another positive aspect was the strength (no pun intended) of the training effect. The conventional strength training group experienced strength increases on the order of 16%. In comparison, the VS group experienced an average 50% increase in strength. That is a 3 fold difference! In my opinion this is certainly a technique that deserves further investigation. Not only to uncover the exact mechanism by which VS produces its effects, but also to explore the potential for this method of training in producing muscle hypertrophy.

Ipriflavone ...Anabolic or Not?

Summary/Discussion:

I decided to approach Ipriflavone in a non-traditional way. In order to answer the questions that everybody has been asking, namely, “What does ipriflavone do?” “How does it work?” “Is it anabolic?”, a multi disciplinary approach must be used. Below I have brought together a number of studies looking at ipriflavone as well as some looking at mechanisms that ipriflavone has been shown to effect. It will be then left up to you to decide wether ipriflavone is a truly innovative supplement, or another over hyped waste of money.

Ipriflavone has an Oxygen sparing effect on muscle tissue.

Research: Experimental studies on the cardiological effects of ipriflavone on the isolated rabbit heart and in rat and dog. Arzneimittelforschung 1981;31(6):953-958

In the heart, ipriflavone prevents Ca2+ ions from building up in the mitochondria. This allows oxygen to continue to function as an electron receiver. This prevents the build up of lactic acid which leads to enhanced muscle function and less damage due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen). Simply put, ipriflavone lessens the damage caused by a lack of oxygen to the tissues. This occurs in heart tissue during a mild heart attack as well as in skeletal muscle during extended sets where the burning in the muscle is intense. No studies have been performed looking at skeletal muscle function during ipriflavone supplementation.

Ipriflavone enhances the effectiveness of estrogen signaling.

Research: Effect of ipriflavone on the response of uterus and thyroid to estrogen. Life Sci 1986 Feb 24;38(8):757-764

Well, is increased estrogen signaling of benefit to bodybuilders? I’m not sure. Those systems that are regulated through negative feedback would theoretically be shut down sooner even with less estrogen present. Once again, this may or may not benefit someone looking to increase muscle mass or reduce the chances of developing gyno.

Ipriflavone decreases collagen turnover.

Research: Short-term treatment of Paget's disease of bone with ipriflavone. Bone Miner 1992 Oct;19 Suppl 1:S35-S42

Cis-4-Hydroxy-L-proline and ethyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzoate prevent myogenesis of C2C12 muscle cells and block MyoD1 and myogenin expression. Exp Cell Res 1992 May;200(1):70-76

[Effects of ipriflavone (TC-80, an anti-osteoporotic drug) on acute and chronic pain].  Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi. 1986 Jul; 88(1): 9-17. Japanese.

Effects of ipriflavone and its metabolites on human articular chondrocytes cultivated in clusters. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 1996 Mar; 4(1): 1-8.

Biology of the rotator cuff tendon. Orthop Clin North Am 1997 Jan;28(1):1-16

Tendon degeneration and chronic shoulder pain: changes in the collagen composition of the human rotator cuff tendons in rotator cuff tendinitis. Ann Rheum Dis 1994 Jun;53(6):359-366

Force transmission in skeletal muscle: from actomyosin to external tendons. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 1997;25:321-363

One of the markers used to measure bone metabolism is the hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio. Hydroxy proline is an indicator of collagen turnover. It is released into the body when collagen is broken down. Collagen is the only source for this protein so it is a good indicator of collagen turnover. Ipriflavone has been shown to decrease hydroxyproline levels in all studies that tested for it. What does this mean for you? Well, increased collagen breakdown has been shown to result from chronic inflamation leading to overuse injuries of the rotator cuff. Ipriflavone would be expected to prevent the degradation of tendinous tissue in the shoulder thereby aiding in the healing process as well as acting to help prevent future injuries. Another benefit may be by way of increased strength transduction from muscle tissue to bone. You see when a muscle contracts it must pass the force from the muscle tissue itself to the bone which acts as the lever to perform work. As connective tissue builds up and strengthens, it becomes a more efficient transducer of muscular force resulting in increased strength. Finally, tendinitis can result from very heavy lifting in sensitive joints such as the elbow and wrist. Ipriflavone supplementation should aid in preventing this as well as accelerating recovery. Cartilage may also benefit from ipriflavone supplementation in that cartilage formation involves the building of a collagenous matrix upon which chondrocytes can attach and lay down new cartilage.

Ipriflavone interacts with cytochrome P450 enzymes

Research: Ipriflavone as an inhibitor of human cytochrome P450 enzymes. Br J Pharmacol 1998 Feb;123(4):605-610

Ipriflavone, as well as a host of other flavonoids, bind with varying affinity to P450 enzymes. These are the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of many drugs and the conversion of testosterone into estrone. You are probably familiar with the flavone Chrysin. It also interacts with the cytochrome P450 enzymes which are responsible for aromatization of testosterone. Although ipriflavone is not a potent as chrysin “in vitro”, at least you know it is there trying to do something good for your testosterone levels. Further studies are needed to know for sure what effect ipriflavone has on androgen metabolism.

Ipriflavone modulates Ca2+ fluxes within the cell.

Research: Androgenic stimulation of endocytosis, amino acid and hexose transport in mouse kidney cortex involves increased calcium fluxes. Biochim Biophys Acta 1983 Apr 5;762(2):366-371

Novel ipriflavone receptors coupled to calcium influx regulate osteoclast differentiation and function. Endocrinology 1996 Aug;137(8):3544-3550

Ipriflavone has positive effects on the phosphatidyl inositol transduction pathway. This pathway is a second messenger system and is used by hormones as well as in nerve impulses. This pathway begins with a nerve impulse or a hormone interacting with a receptor on the cell membrane which then activates Phospholipase C. The result of this is the eventual activation of protein kinase C and the flux of Ca2+ ions from within the endoplasmic reticulum. It is noteworthy that certain stimuli for steroidogenesis in leydig cell rely on this pathway.

In summary, Ipriflavone has a wide range of effects. Some may be of benefit to bodybuilders and others may be neither here nor there. Should a person run out and buy it? Well, I would imagine it depends on the cost as well as the expected outcomes of taking it. I can say for a fact that ipriflavone will act to strengthen to skeletal system from bone to ligaments to tendons. To me, this is a valuable effect. To some extent, ipriflavone "may" decrease aromatase activity, it may increase the rate of strength gains through greater connective tissue accumulation, it may increase the signaling potential of some hormones and nerve impulses, protect tissue from hypoxic damage, and aid in managing overuse injuries as well as be a preventative agent against joint problems. As mentioned earlier, more studies are needed that do not focus on postmenopausal osteoporosis, but instead focus on the wider range of effects heretofore seen with ipriflavone supplementation and experimentation.