Inosine

anyone have any spec. info on Inosine… i have read conflicting reports so far… one says that it might inpair physical performance, and the other insists that it will increase capacity. anyone wanna take a bite? Charlie, I read that you supplemented your athletes with this, also, any info? thanks everyone

Check the thread in the archives. It was written about at some length.

Originally posted by Charlie Francis
Check the thread in the archives. It was written about at some length.

Does anyone have the Link to this thread???..

http://www.charliefrancis.com/board/philboard_read.asp?id=397

The Link does not work any more. Is there any new access to it?

Charlie mentiones it in Speed Trap.
On the net the info on it’s performance enhancing value varies - one example (from www.vitacost.com):

What is it?
Inosine is a nucleoside, one of the basic compounds comprising cells. It is a precursor to adenosine, an important energy molecule, and plays many supportive roles in the body.

Based upon anecdotal reports by Russian and Eastern European athletes, inosine has been investigated for exercise-boosting (ergogenic) effects. However, controlled studies have concluded that inosine does not improve athletic performance and may even impair it.1 2

Inosine is a precursor to uric acid, a compound that occurs naturally in the body. Uric acid is believed to block the effect of a toxic free-radical compound (peroxynitrite) that may play a role in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS).3 In an attempt to raise uric acid levels, ten patients with MS were treated with inosine in amounts up to 3 grams per day for 46 weeks. Three of the ten treated patients showed some evidence of improved function and the others remained stable.4 Controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Where is it found?
Inosine is found in brewer’s yeast and organ meats. It is also available as a supplement.

Inosine has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):

Rating Health Concerns
Multiple Sclerosis

Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

Who is likely to be deficient?
Inosine is not an essential nutrient, so deficiencies do not occur.

How much is usually taken?
Although a common amount of inosine taken by athletes is 5,000–6,000 mg per day, little scientific evidence supports the use of this supplement in any amount.

Are there any side effects or interactions?
No side effects have been reported with the use of inosine for two to five days in the limited research available. However, unused inosine is converted by the body to uric acid, which may be hazardous to people at risk for gout.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with inosine.


References

  1. Starling RD, Trappe TA, Short KR, et al. Effect of inosine supplementation on aerobic and anaerobic cycling performance. Med Sci Sports Ex 1996;28:1193–8.

  2. Williams MH, Kreider RB, Hunter DW, et al. Effect of inosine supplementation on 3-mile treadmill run performance and VO2 peak. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1990;22:517–22.

  3. Koprowski H, Spitsin SV, Hooper DC. Prospects for the treatment of multiple sclerosis by raising serum levels of uric acid, a scavenger of peroxynitrite. Ann Neurol 2001;49:139.

  4. Koprowski H, Spitsin SV, Hooper DC. Prospects for the treatment of multiple sclerosis by raising serum levels of uric acid, a scavenger of peroxynitrite. Ann Neurol 2001;49:139.

THX for your help

Additionaly: Does anybody know how who offers pure inusine capsules? THX.

Seems hard to find, only in some “mixtures for the aged” and stuff like that…

I don’t have much info on specific inosine products, but one point that was emphasized in discussion a couple years ago is that inosine oxidizes very rapidly when exposed to air. So this renders most inosine supplements (pills and powders) ineffective.

I believe the product Charlie’s group used came premixed in solution and avoided this problem. Other quality inosine (I think mostly from Japan) comes in capsules that are individually packed in aluminum foil/bubble strips.

However, the practical question is, even if you find the good stuff, is the marginal benefit worth the cost?

Interesting details. If the useful stuff is expensive, I’ll forget about it.

Just heard that they started to treat people after strokes with it and there was some prove that it increases groth of nerves synapses.
So I thought: Wow, that thing could be quite powerful - and I remebered Charlie mentioning it in Speed trap. (Inosine and B12 combo I think?)

I’ll try to find the “strokes-study” online…

Studies regarding some effects of inosine in elite weightlifters.

Rom J Physiol. 1993 Jan-Jun;30(1-2):47-50.

Drăgan I, Baroga M, Eremia N, Georgescu E.

Institute of Sports Medicine, Bucharest, Romania.

The authors performed a study in 14 top weightlifters, in order to make evident some effects of inosine. The athletes of A group received daily 1.5 g inosine (3 x 500 mg) for 6 weeks while the athletes of the B group (control group) received placebo. Six weeks inosine treatment induced significant changes for serum lipids and FFA (increase), urine mucoproteins (decrease), evoked muscular potential for the right median nerve and motric speed conductibility of the right external sciaticus popliteus nerve; the activity of serum CPK also increased. Some of these changes (CPK, evoked muscular potential, urine mucoproteins etc.) were evident even after 3 weeks of treatment.

Charlie, what dose was used with the athletes? Also, do you feel if being used alone would it elicit benefits, and what benefits would be expected?