Caffiene

Introduction

Caffiene belongs to the methylxanthine class of compounds and is found in ubiquitous amounts particularly in coffee, tea and chocolate. It is well known and socially accepted drug which falls under the category of stimulants. Cellularly, caffiene is a Phosphodiesterase(PDE1) inhibitor and increases stress signal (in the form of Cyclic Adenosine MonoPhosphate cAMP) levels by inhibiting its breakdown by PDE1.

This effect is observed primarily via Adrenaline Signalling in the context of exercise. The adrenaline released causes the production of cAMP. This activates Protein Kinase A and exerts a multitude of dowstream actions:

Molecular Effect of cAMP:

Immediate Effects:

1. Increased Calcium influx and increased muscle contractility

2. Enhanced Glycogen breakdown via Oxidative Metabolism

Late Effects:

1. Gene transcription by cAMP Response Enhancer Binding (CREB) protein causing possible cell growth

The Physiological Effect of Adrenaline Signalling during Exercise

Alpha1 Receptors(Endothelial-): Blood Vessel Vasoconstriction ( increased total peripheral resistance)

Beta1 Receptors (Cardiac): Increased Cardiac Output (cardiac muscle contractility force)

Beta2 Receptors(Airways): Bronchodilation (Increased airway diameter for increased air flow)

Beta3 Receptors(Adipose): Lipolysis (Fat metabolism via Beta-Oxidation) YAYYNESS!!!!!!

It should also be noted that Adrenaline Signalling causes the release of small, pain killing opioid (opium like) compounds- Enkephalins and Endorphins which promote a sense of well being.

It is critical to remember that caffiene enhances all these effects physiologically. Thus in lieu of all these effects, it can be established that caffiene has an effect on exercise physiology- creating the RAAWWRRR!!! effect- a temporally enhanced physical ability accompanied by a mild sense of euphoria. This experiment serves to validate the RAAWRRRR!!! effect in an in vivo model- a biochem honours student.

Materials and Methods:

1x stupid biochem honours student (Ken Chin)

1x NAPFA test coming up soon which getting Gold/Silver will knock off 2 months of NS

300mL of 3x concentrated Nescafe Blend 43 and 2x Maltodextrose tablets (artificial sweetners)

1x College Square Gym Treadmil

2 separate experiments were done- one with caffiene and one without. The caffiene was taken 30min to it to attain peak plasma concentration before exercise was commenced. Exercise consisted of 1x 2.4km run.

Results:

No Caffiene Timing for 2.4km: 10.51min

Caffiene Timing for 2.4km: 10.30min

Improvement factor: 21sec

Discussion:

Caffiene was able to effect a significant improvement in 2.4km timing (relatively) and moreover, a reduced sense of fatigue accompanied the improvement. This experiment would then suggest strong evidence for the caffiene induced RAWRRRRRR!!! Effect (minus the beastly noises) in vivo.

Further studies would involve consuming cheese in adjunct with caffiene. Cheese is well known to contain Tyramine- an adrenaline precursor. Thus it can be postulated that cheese consumption will increase endogenous adrenaline levels- and when coupled in with caffiene- will enhance physical performance via Adrenaline Signalling Pathways. (It should be noted that Vegemite is another rich source of Tyramine)