Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine produces enhanced anaerobic work capacity with reduced lactate accumulation in resistance trained males

Patrick L Jacobs , Erica R Goldstein , Will Blackburn , Ishan Orem  and John J Hughes

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2009, 6:9doi:10.1186/1550-2783-6-9

Abstract (provisional)

Background

Recent research has indicated that short term administration of glycine propionyl-L-carnitine (GPLC) significantly elevates levels of nitric oxide metabolites at rest and in response to reactive hyperaemia. However, no scientific evidence exists that suggests such supplementation enhances exercise performance in healthy, trained individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of GPLC on the performance of repeated high intensity stationary cycle sprints with limited recovery periods in resistance trained male subjects.

Methods

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design, twenty-four male resistance trained subjects (25.2 +/- 3.6 years) participated in two test sessions separated by one week. Testing was performed 90 minutes following oral ingestion of either 4.5 grams GPLC or 4.5 grams cellulose (PL), in randomized order. The exercise testing protocol consisted of five 10-second Wingate cycle sprints separated by 1-minute active recovery periods. Peak (PP) and mean values (MP) of sprint power output and percent decrement of power (DEC) were determined per bout and standardized relative to body mass. Heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (LAC) were measured prior to, during and following the five sprint bouts.

Results

Significant main effects (p < p =" 0.09)">

Conclusions

These findings indicate that short-term oral supplementation of GPLC can enhance peak power production in resistance trained males with significantly less LAC accumulation.

MY TAKE:   GPLC was originally developed for heart patients but it seems now that it can be beneficial to anaerobic athletes.  With all those so-call "NO" products out there that don't really work its exciting to see this new supplement and the promise it shows.  Having participated in this study myself, even though I didn't know what when I was taking GPLC or the placebo I could feel the effects and new it when I took the GPLC. After the study I began to use the product during weight lifting session and got tremendous pumps especially in my arms and for some reason my lats. My recovery time seemed to be much better as well.  But this study was done using repeated wingate's of 10 sec and I am not a cyclist but it obviously was able to be applied to the weight room.  This supplement could be a nice alternate to illegal and unhealthy drugs for bodybuilding such as insulin, which is very dangerous to use, as well as enhancing athletic performance.