Researchers in India conducted the two-phase study to investigate the effects of \u03b2-glucan, taurine and L-arginine on hypoxia-induced cellular stress and evaluate \u03b2-glucan supplementation in athletes.<\/p>\n
The \u03b2-glucan-rich mushroom extract used in the human phase was from Indian dietary supplement brand Rooted Actives (7-in-1 Mushroom Complex Extract Capsules), selected for its prior evidence of immunological and metabolic benefits in athletes, the researchers noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe uncontrolled human trial suggests \u03b2-glucan supplementation improves aerobic performance and alters hematological indices, though randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these preliminary findings,\u201d they wrote in the journal Antioxidants.<\/p>\n
Hypoxia-related stress in endurance exercise<\/p>\n
In athletes, intense endurance exercise can temporarily create hypoxia-related stress\u2014a mismatch between the oxygen muscles need and the oxygen they receive\u2014increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing cellular stress and contributing to temporary immune suppression and slower recovery.<\/p>\n
The researchers behind the new study suggested that \u03b2-glucan, taurine and L-arginine could all help protect cells from hypoxia-related stress: \u03b2-glucan might support the immune system and reduce inflammation; taurine might protect mitochondria, help control calcium levels and maintain energy production in cells; and L-arginine could help the body produce nitric oxide, widening blood vessels and improving blood flow.<\/p>\n
However, research has not yet established how effectively these compounds protected heart cells during hypoxia.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir comparative effects on hypoxia-exposed cardiomyoblasts\u2014mitochondrial bioenergetics and transcript-level signaling\u2014are uninvestigated; prior single-compound, single-endpoint or single-time-point studies prevent cross-comparison,\u201d the researchers wrote.<\/p>\n
Study details<\/p>\n
During an in vitro phase, researchers exposed H9c2 cardiomyoblasts to 200 \u00b5M CoCl\u2082 for 24 hours, alongside \u03b2-glucan (20 \u00b5g\/mL), taurine (40 \u00b5M), or L-arginine (50 \u00b5M). They assessed metabolic activity, cell morphology, gene expression, mitochondrial respiration, glycolysis and ATP production.<\/p>\n
In the human phase, the researchers conducted a single-arm pre\u2013post pilot study involving 50 healthy male athletes aged 18\u201322 years. Following a 14\u201317-day supplement washout period and baseline assessments, participants consumed 320 mg\/day of the \u03b2-glucan-rich mushroom extract for 40 days.<\/p>\n
The researchers assessed aerobic performance using cardiopulmonary exercise testing, measured hematological parameters through complete blood counts and evaluated body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Participants maintained their usual training routines and followed a standardized isocaloric athlete maintenance diet throughout the study<\/p>\n
Results suggested that all three compounds significantly improved metabolic activity in hypoxia-exposed H9c2 cells compared with the untreated control. <\/p>\n
Taurine and L-arginine showed the strongest effects, restoring metabolic activity to 97.27% and 94.62%, respectively, compared with 83.57% for \u03b2-glucan. <\/p>\n
Taurine also provided the strongest preservation of cell morphology. All three compounds improved mitochondrial respiration, glycolytic reserve, and ATP production, although taurine produced the highest mitochondrial ATP output.<\/p>\n
In the human study, 40 days of \u03b2-glucan-rich mushroom extract supplementation was associated with a 14.8% increase in relative maximum oxygen consumption (VO\u2082\/kg) and a 54.9-second increase in time to exhaustion. <\/p>\n
The researchers additionally observed changes in white blood cell populations and several red blood cell indices, while body composition remained unchanged.<\/p>\n
While the researchers observed improvements in aerobic performance and blood parameters after supplementation, they emphasized that the \u201chuman data are hypothesis-generating and do not prove causality or cardioprotection.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMore randomized, placebo-controlled trials with longer follow-up, proper control of dietary and training variables, and direct cardiovascular endpoints are necessary before recommending \u03b2-glucan as an athlete nutritional approach,\u201d they wrote. <\/p>\n