Gencor has announced the publication of its latest human clinical trial, exploring how the novel Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract improves aerobic athletic performance.
The study also conducted a deep exploration of its proposed mechanism of action, namely the activation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase).
The activation of AMPK, which additionally occurs during exercise, helps promote energy availability for muscular contraction. Preclinical research on ActivAMP demonstrated that the extract improved the uptake of glucose in muscle tissue and promoted the utilisation of fat as energy.
The double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial with a crossover design found that healthy young men consuming 450 mg/day of ActivAMP for 4 weeks completed a 20 km time performance on a cycle ergometer approximately 4% faster than the placebo.
Furthermore, muscle biopsies revealed a significantly greater oxygen flux in muscle tissue at rest compared with the placebo, suggesting improved mitochondrial function.
This may be explained by the fact that only the ActivAMP treatment condition saw a significant increase in phosphorylation (or activation) of AMPK after exercise.
improved mitochondrial function... compared with the placebo
“The AMPK activation, also known as the ‘master metabolic regulator,’ is a significant finding in this study,” said R.V. Venkatesh, Cofounder and Managing Director at Gencor.
“This increase in phosphorylation elaborates on previous research that shows improvements in metabolic health and exercise performance. This is also the first study conducted in the nutraceutical industry to demonstrate the activation of AMPK in a human trial through muscle biopsy.”
Gencor and its partner BTC provide ActivAMP, a Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract. The ingredient has also shown great support for weight management in male and female participants.
