The Effects of Deer Antler Velvet Extract or Powder Supplementation on Aerobic Power, Erythropoiesis, and Muscular Strength and Endurance Characteristics

To determine the effects of deer antler velvet on maximal aerobic performance and the trainability of muscular strength and endurance, 38 active males were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to either deer antler velvet extract (n = 12), powder (n = 13), or placebo groups (n = 13). Subjects were tested prior to beginning supplementation and a 10-week strength program, and immediately post-training. All subjects were measured for circulating levels of testosterone, insulin-like growth factor, erythropoietin, red cell mass, plasma volume, and total blood volume. Additionally, muscular strength, endurance, and VO2max were determined. All groups improved 6 RM strength equivalently (41 ± 26%, p < .001), but there was a greater increase in isokinetic knee extensor strength (30 ± 21% vs. 13 ± 15%, p = .04) and endurance (21 ± 19% vs. 7 ± 12%, p = .02) in the powder compared to placebo group. There were no endocrine, red cell mass or VO2max changes in any group. These findings do not support an erythropoetic or aerobic ergogenic effect of deer antler velvet. Further, the inconsistent findings regarding the effects of deer antler velvet powder supplementation on the development of strength suggests that further work is required to test the robustness of the observation that this supplement enhances the strength training response and to ensure this observation is not a type I error.

Download Full-text

Failure of prolonged exercise training to increase red cell mass in humans

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.1996.270.1.h121 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 270 (1) ◽

pp. H121-H126 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. K. Shoemaker ◽

H. J. Green ◽

J. Coates ◽

M. Ali ◽

S. Grant

Keyword(s):

Exercise Training ◽

Prolonged Exercise ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Hemoglobin Concentration ◽

Red Cell ◽

Total Blood ◽

Mean Cell Volume ◽

Red Cell Mass ◽

Mean Cell Hemoglobin

The purpose of this study was to investigate the time-dependent effects of long-term prolonged exercise training on vascular volumes and hematological status. Training using seven untrained males [age 21.1 +/- 1.4 (SE) yr] initially consisted of cycling at 68% of peak aerobic power (VO2peak) for 2 h/day, 4-5 days/wk, for 11 wk. Absolute training intensity was increased every 3 wk. Red cell mass (RCM), obtained using 51Cr, was unchanged (P > 0.05) with training (2,142 +/- 95, 2,168 +/- 86, 2,003 +/- 112, and 2,080 +/- 116 ml at 0, 3, 6, and 11 wk, respectively) as were serum erythropoietin levels (17.1 +/- 4.3, 13.9 +/- 3.5, and 17.0 +/- 2.0 U/l at 0, 6, and 11 wk, respectively). Plasma volume measured with 125I-labeled albumin and total blood volume (TBV) were also not significantly altered. The increase in mean cell volume that occurred with training (89.7 +/- 0.95 vs. 91.0 +/- 1.0 fl, 0 vs. 6 wk, P < 0.05) was not accompanied by changes in either mean cell hemoglobin or mean cell hemoglobin concentration. Serum ferritin was reduced 73% with training (67.4 +/- 13 to 17.9 +/- 1 microgram/l, 0 vs. 11 wk, P < 0.05). Total hemoglobin (HbTot) calculated as the product of hemoglobin concentration and TBV was unaltered (P > 0.05) at both 6 and 11 wk of training. The 15% increase in VO2peak (3.39 +/- 0.16 to 3.87 +/- 0.14 l/min, 0 vs. 11 wk, P < 0.05) with training occurred despite a failure of training to change TBV, RCM, or HbTot.

Download Full-text

Circulating blood volumes in pulmonary hypertension associated with erythrocytosis – the effects of therapeutic hemodilution

Cardiology in the Young ◽

10.1017/s1047951103001148 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 544-550 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Rilvani C. Gonçalves ◽

Carlos Alberto Buschpigell ◽

Antonio Augusto Lopes

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Hypertension ◽

Blood Volume ◽

Plasma Volume ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Red Cell ◽

Total Blood Volume ◽

Eisenmenger Syndrome ◽

Total Blood ◽

Red Cell Mass ◽

Blood Volumes

In the Eisenmenger syndrome, indirect estimation of blood volumes may provide quite inaccurate information when seeking to define therapeutic strategies. With this in mind, we analyzed directly the red cell mass, plasma volume, and total blood volume in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital cardiac defects and erythrocytosis, comparing the results with the respective estimated volumes, and examining the changes induced by therapeutic hemodilution.Thus, we studied 17 patients with the Eisenmenger syndrome, aged from 15 to 53 years, in the basal condition, studying 12 of them both before and after hemodilution. We also investigated five individuals with minimal cardiac lesions, aged from 14 to 42 years, as controls. Red cell mass and plasma volumes were measured using [51 chromium]-sodium chromate and [131iodine]-albumin respectively. Hemodilution was planned so as to exchange 10% of the total blood volume, using 40,000 molecular weight dextran simultaneously to replace the removed volume. The mean values of the red cell mass, plasma volume and total blood volume as assessed by radionuclide techniques were 32%, 31% and 32% higher than the respective volumes as estimated using empirical mathematical formulas (p < 0.002). The measured total blood volume was also 19% higher in the patients compared with controls. Following a period of 5 days after hemodilution, we noted a 13% reduction in red cell mass (p = 0.046), and 10% reduction in total blood volume (p = 0.02), albeit with no changes in the plasma volume.We conclude that direct measurement of blood volumes is useful for proper management of these patients, and provides results that are considerably different from those obtained by empirical estimations.

Download Full-text

Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia: Correlation Between Expanded Plasma Volume and Increased Serum Viscosity

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v35.3.394.394 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 394-408 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

MALCOM R. MACKENZIE ◽

ELLEN BROWN ◽

H. H. FUDENBERG ◽

LUCY S. GOODENDAY

Keyword(s):

Plasma Volume ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Red Cell ◽

Aldosterone Secretion ◽

Total Chromium ◽

Total Blood ◽

Volume Increase ◽

Red Cell Mass

Abstract In 17 patients with Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia, total chromium space, red cell mass, plasma volume and relative serum viscosities were determined; aldosterone excretion was determined in 12. Ten of the 15 patients who manifested elevated serum viscosity at some time during the course of study presented signs and symptoms of hyperviscosity syndrome. All patients had increased total blood volume. Fifteen had moderate decreases in red cell mass but all had elevations of plasma volume far in excess of that required to compensate for the lowered cell mass. The degree of the increase in plasma volume correlated (r = 0.74) with the degree of abnormality in relative serum viscosity. Aldosterone excretion in such patients was normal to low. It is concluded that the plasma volume increase is correlated with serum viscosity and is mediated by sodium retention mechanisms not involving modification of aldosterone secretion.

Download Full-text

Red Cell Mass and Aerobic Performance at Sea Level

Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine ◽

10.1055/s-2007-1011450 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 5 (02) ◽

pp. 181-187

Author(s):

F.J. Buick ◽

Norman Gledhill ◽

Alison Froese ◽

Lawrence Spriet

Keyword(s):

Sea Level ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Aerobic Performance ◽

Red Cell ◽

Red Cell Mass

Download Full-text

Blood volume and red cell concentration in the normal chick embryo

American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content ◽

10.1152/ajplegacy.1959.197.2.403 ◽

1959 ◽

Vol 197 (2) ◽

pp. 403-405 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Arthur E. Barnes ◽

Wallace N. Jensen

Keyword(s):

Chick Embryo ◽

Blood Volume ◽

Cell Concentration ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Somatic Growth ◽

Red Cell ◽

Total Blood ◽

Red Cell Mass ◽

Common Process

A method for the determination of red cell mass, which employs the use of radioisotopically-labeled erythrocytes, in the embryonated hen egg is described and results of total blood volume, plasma volume, red cell mass and red cell concentration determinations during the period from 9 to 18 days of incubation presented. Considerations of the values obtained in terms of absolute quantities and relative to embryonic mass are discussed. It is suggested that expansion of the red cell mass and somatic growth are portions of a common process and may be subject to a complex of similar regulatory factors in the normal chick embryo.

Download Full-text

Troglitazone has no effect on red cell mass or other erythropoietic parameters

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology ◽

10.1007/s002280050602 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 55 (2) ◽

pp. 101-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

M. M. R. Young ◽

L. Squassante ◽

J. Wemer ◽

S. P. van Marle ◽

P. Dogterom ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Mass ◽

Red Cell ◽

Red Cell Mass

Download Full-text

Should Whole-Body Red Cell Mass Be Measured or Calculated?

Blood Cells Molecules and Diseases ◽

10.1006/bcmd.2000.0272 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 25-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Ingrid Balga ◽

Max Solenthaler ◽

Miha Furlan

Keyword(s):

Cell Mass ◽

Whole Body ◽

Red Cell ◽

Red Cell Mass

Download Full-text

Analysis of Red Cell Mass and Plasma Volume in Patients With Polycythemia

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.5858/2005-129-89-aorcma ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 129 (1) ◽

pp. 89-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mordechai Lorberboym ◽

Naomi Rahimi-Levene ◽

Helena Lipszyc ◽

Chun K. Kim

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Plasma Volume ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Mean Value ◽

Whole Body ◽

Red Cell ◽

Volume Data ◽

Red Cell Mass ◽

The Mean ◽

Iodine 125

Abstract Context.—Polycythemia describes an increased proportion of red blood cells in the peripheral blood. In absolute polycythemia, there is increased red cell mass (RCM) with normal plasma volume, in contrast with apparent polycythemia, in which there is increased or normal RCM and decreased plasma volume. In order to deliver the appropriate treatment it is necessary to differentiate between the two. Objective.—A retrospective analysis of RCM and plasma volume data are presented, with special attention to different methods of RCM interpretation. Design.—The measurements of RCM and plasma volume in 64 patients were compared with the venous and whole-body packed cell volume, and the incidence of absolute and apparent polycythemia was determined for increasing hematocrit levels. Measurements of RCM and plasma volume were performed using chromium 51–labeled red cells and iodine 125–labeled albumin, respectively. The measured RCM of each patient was expressed as a percentage of the mean expected RCM and was also defined as being within or outside the range of 2 SD of the mean. The results were also expressed in the traditional manner of mL/kg body weight. Results.—Twenty-one patients (13 women and 8 men) had absolute polycythemia. None of them had an increased plasma volume beyond 2 SD of the mean. When expressed according to the criteria of mL/kg body weight, 17 of the 21 patients had abnormally increased RCM, but 4 patients (19%) had a normal RCM value. Twenty-eight patients had apparent polycythemia. The remaining 15 patients had normal RCM and plasma volume. Conclusions.—The measurement of RCM and plasma volume is a simple and necessary procedure in the evaluation of polycythemia. In obese patients, the expression of RCM in mL/kg body weight lacks precision, considering that adipose tissue is hypovascular. The results of RCM are best described as being within or beyond 2 SD of the mean value.

Download Full-text