Background: Esports competitive gaming requires selective visual attention, memory, quick judgment, and an ability to sustain psychomotor performance over time. Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid, found in specific microalgae varieties such as Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT), that has been purported to possess nootropic and neuroprotective effects through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated whether acute and 30-day supplementation of an extract of PT from microalgae combined with guarana (a natural source of caffeine) affects cognitive function in gamers. Materials and Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled manner, 61 experienced gamers (21.7 ± 4.1 years, 73 ± 13 kg) were randomly assigned to ingest a placebo (PL), a low-dose (LD) supplement containing 440 mg of PT extract including 1% fucoxanthin +500 mg of guarana containing 40–44 mg caffeine (MicroPhyt™, Microphyt, Baillargues, FR), or a high-dose (HD) supplement containing 880 mg of PT extract +500 mg of guarana for 30 days. At baseline, cognitive function tests were administered before supplementation, 15 min post-supplementation, and after 60 min of competitive gameplay with participants’ most played video game. Participants continued supplementation for 30 days and then repeated pre-supplementation and post-gaming cognitive function tests. General linear model univariate analyses with repeated measures and changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals were used to analyze data. Results: There was some evidence that acute and 30-day ingestion of the PT extract from microalgae with guarana improved reaction times, reasoning, learning, executive control, attention shifting (cognitive flexibility), and impulsiveness. While some effects were seen after acute ingestion, the greatest impact appeared after 30 days of supplementation, with some benefits seen in the LD and HD groups. Moreover, there was evidence that both doses of the PT extract from microalgae with guarana may support mood state after acute and 30-day supplementation. Registered clinical trial #NCT04851899.

Recent research supports previous contentions that encapsulating vitamins and minerals with liposomes help improve overall bioavailability. This study examined whether ingesting a liposomal multivitamin and mineral supplement (MVM) differentially affects the appearance and/or clearance of vitamins and minerals in the blood compared to a non-liposomal MVM supplement. In a double-blind, randomized, and counterbalanced manner, 34 healthy men and women fasted for 12 h. Then, they ingested a non-liposomal (NL) or liposomal (L) MVM supplement and a standardized snack. Venous blood samples were obtained at 0, 2, 4, and 6 h after MVM ingestion and analyzed for a panel of vitamins and minerals. Plasma levels of vitamins and minerals and mean changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed using general linear model statistics with repeated measures. The observed values were also entered into pharmacokinetic analysis software and analyzed through univariate analysis of variance with repeated measure contrasts. The results revealed an overall treatment x time interaction effect among the vitamins and minerals evaluated (p = 0.051, ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.054, moderate effect). Differences between treatments were also observed in volume distribution area (vitamin E, iron), median residence time (vitamin E, iron), volume distribution area (iron), volume of distribution steady state (vitamin A, E, iron), clearance rates (vitamin A, E), elimination phase half-life (vitamin E, iron), distribution/absorption phase intercept (vitamin A), and distribution/absorption phase slope and rate (vitamin C, calcium). Vitamin volume distribution was lower with liposomal MVM ingestion than non-liposomal MVM sources, suggesting greater clearance and absorption since similar amounts of vitamins and minerals were ingested. These findings indicate that coating a MVM with liposomes affects individual nutrient pharmacokinetic profiles. Additional research should evaluate how long-term supplementation of liposomal MVM supplements may affect vitamin and mineral status, nutrient function, and/or health outcomes.

Background: Microalgae like Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT) contain the carotenoid, fucoxanthin, which has been purported to promote fat loss, lower blood lipids, and improve glucose management. This study examined whether dietary supplementation with microalgae extracts from PT containing 4.4 mg/d of fucoxanthin affects changes in body composition or health markers in overweight women during an exercise and diet intervention. Materials and Methods: A total of 37 females (28.6 ± 7.9 years, 80.2 ± 14.9 kg, 29.6 ± 3.8 kg/m², 41.4 ± 4.2% fat) fasted for 12 h, donated a fasting blood sample, completed health and mood state inventories, and undertook body composition, health, and exercise assessments. In a counterbalanced, randomized, and double-blind manner, participants ingested a placebo (PL), or microalgae extract of Phaeodactylum tricornutum standardized to 4.4 mg of fucoxanthin (FX) for 12 weeks while participating in a supervised exercise program that included resistance-training and walking (3 days/week) with encouragement to accumulate 10,000 steps/day on remaining days of the week. The diet intervention involved reducing energy intake by about −300 kcal/d (i.e., ≈1400–1600 kcals/d, 55% carbohydrate, 30% fat, 15% protein) to promote a −500 kcal/d energy deficit with exercise. Follow-up testing was performed at 6 and 12 weeks. A general linear model (GLM) with repeated measures statistical analysis was used to analyze group responses and changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Dietary supplementation with microalgae extract from PT containing fucoxanthin for 12 weeks did not promote additional weight loss or fat loss in overweight but otherwise healthy females initiating an exercise and diet intervention designed to promote modest weight loss. However, fucoxanthin supplementation preserved bone mass, increased bone density, and saw greater improvements in walking steps/day, resting heart rate, aerobic capacity, blood lipid profiles, adherence to diet goals, functional activity tolerance, and measures of quality of life. Consequently, there appears to be some benefit to supplementing microalgae extract from PT containing fucoxanthin during a diet and exercise program. Registered clinical trial #NCT04761406.

Metabolic conditions, such as gout, can result from elevated uric acid (UA) levels. Consuming high-purine meals increases UA levels. Therefore, people with hyperuricemia typically must avoid ingesting such foods. Polyphenols have been shown to reduce uric acid levels and tart cherries (TCs) are a rich source of phenolic and anthocyanin compounds. This proof-of-concept study evaluated whether ingesting TCs with a purine-rich meal affects the uricemic response. Methods: A total of 25 adults (15 males and 10 females, 85.0 ± 17 kg, 40.6 ± 9 years, 29.1 ± 4.9 kg/m²) with elevated fasting UA levels (5.8 ± 1.3 mg/dL) donated a fasting blood sample. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced manner, participants ingested capsules containing 960 mg of a placebo (PLA) or concentrated TC powder containing 20.7 mg of proanthocyanins with a serving of hot soup (10 g of carbohydrate, 2 g protein, and 1 g fat) containing 3 g of purines (1 g of adenosine 5′-monophosphate, 1 g of disodium 5′-guanylate, and 1 g of disodium 5′-inosinate). Blood samples were obtained at 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min after ingestion to assess changes in uric acid levels and pharmacokinetic profiles. Cell blood counts, a comprehensive metabolic panel, cytokines, inflammatory markers, and subjective side effects ratings were analyzed on baseline (0 min) and post-treatment (240 min) samples. Participants continued consuming two capsules/day of the assigned treatment for one week and then repeated the experiment. Participants observed a 14-day washout and then repeated the experiment while ingesting the alternate treatment. Data were analyzed using general linear model (GLM) statistics with repeated measures, pairwise comparisons, and percentage change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: No statistically significant interaction effects or differences between treatments were seen in uric acid levels or PK profiles. Analysis of percent changes from baseline revealed that TC ingestion reduced the blood glucose levels following the ingestion of the high-purine meal (−4.2% [−7.7, −0.7], p = 0017). Additionally, there was some evidence that TC ingestion attenuated the increase from baseline in IL-1β and IL-10 and increased INF-γ. No significant differences were seen in the remaining health markers or subjective side effects ratings. Conclusions: Acute and one-week TC supplementation did not affect the uricemic response to ingesting a high-purine meal in individuals with mildly elevated UA levels. However, there was some evidence that TC supplementation may blunt the glycemic response to ingesting a meal and influence some inflammatory cytokines. Registered clinical trial NCT04837274.

Skeletal muscle myopathy remains a significant cause of disability with limited treatment strategies. Advancements in tissue engineering have led to the development of borophosphate bioactive glasses (BPBGs) capable of enhancing skeletal muscle structure and function. Using a mouse model of severe myopathy (D2.mdx), we investigated muscle force, regeneration, angiogenesis and inflammation at 14, 70 and 140 days post-treatment (dpt). Tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of D2.mdx mice that received a single injection of cobalt oxide-doped BPBG (CoO-TRIM) particles exhibit greater active force, myofiber size, and regeneration through 70 dpt compared to control D2.mdx mice injected with Saline. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was elevated up to 70 dpt in D2.mdx CoO-TRIM mice followed by increased muscle vascularity. As a marker of inflammation, interleukin (IL)-6 increased in D2.mdx CoO-TRIM mice compared to D2.mdx Saline controls at 14 dpt, with no differences at 70 or 140 dpt. No differences were observed in outcome measures between wild-type (WT) CoO-TRIM mice and WT Saline controls. We report that CoO-TRIM can stimulate VEGF production and promote restoration of muscle structure and function when inflammation is present. Local injection of an inorganic biomaterial alone can benefit myopathic skeletal muscle.