Microdoses of recombinant human erythropoietin enhance time trial performance in trained males and females

Andreas Breenfeldt Andersen, Jonathan Graae, Jacob Bejder, Thomas Christian Bonne, Søren Seier, Maren Debertin, Kasper Eibye, Morten Hostrup, Nikolai Baastrup Nordsborg*

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

8 Citationer (Scopus)
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Abstract

Purpose: We investigated the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) administration on exercise endurance, maximal aerobic performance and total hemoglobin mass (tHb). We hypothesized that frequent, small intravenous injections of epoetin β would increase time trial performance, peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) and tHb in both males and females.

Methods: We included 48 healthy, recreational to trained males (n = 24, mean ± standard deviation V̇O2peak of 55 ± 5 ml O2 × kg-1 × min-1) and females (n = 24; V̇O2peak of 46 ± 4 ml O2 × kg-1 × min-1) in a counter-balanced, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study design stratified by sex. Time trial performance, V̇O2peak, and tHb were determined before and after intravenous injections of either rHuEPO (9 IU × kg bw-1 epoetin β) or saline (0.9% NaCl) three times weekly for 4 weeks.

Results: A time × treatment effect (P < 0.05) existed for time trial performance. Within the rHuEPO group, mean power output (MPO) increased by 4.1 ± 4.2% (P < 0.001). Likewise, a time × treatment effect (P < 0.001) existed for V̇O2peak, where the rHuEPO group improved V̇O2peak and peak aerobic power by 4.2 ± 6.1% (P < 0.001) and 2.9 ± 4.0% (P < 0.01), respectively. A time × treatment effect (P < 0.001) existed for tHb, where the rHuEPO group increased tHb by 6.7 ± 3.4% (P < 0.001). A main effect of 'sex' alone was also evident (P < 0.001) but no sex-specific interactions were found. No changes were observed in the placebo group for MPO, V̇O2peak, peak aerobic power or tHb.

Conclusion: Microdoses with intravenous rHuEPO provide a sufficient erythropoietic stimuli to augment tHb and enhance aerobic-dominated performance in both trained males and females.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftMedicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Vol/bind55
Udgave nummer2
Sider (fra-til)311-321
Antal sider11
ISSN0195-9131
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2023

Bibliografisk note

CURIS 2023 NEXS 026

Copyright © 2022 by the American College of Sports Medicine.

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  • Det Natur- og Biovidenskabelige Fakultet

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