Tribulus Terrestris extracts alleviate muscle damage and promote anaerobic performance of trained male boxers and its mechanisms: Roles of androgen, IGF-1 and IGF binding protein-3
Yiming Ma Journal of Sport and Health Science Available online 14 December 2015
To investigate the effects of Tribulus terrestris (TT) extracts on muscle mass, muscle damage, and anaerobic performances of trained male boxers and its mechanisms: roles of plasma androgen, IGF-1, and IGF-1 binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3).
Methods: Fifteen male boxers were divided into exercise group (E, n = 7) and exercise plus TT group (E+TT, n = . The two groups both undertook 3-week high intensity and 3-week high volume training separated by 4-week rest. TT extracts (1250 mg/day) were orally administered by boxers in E+TT group.
Results: Compared with E group, decreases of plasma CK (1591.50 ± 909.55 vs. 2719.86 ± 832.47 U/L) and IGFBP-3 (3075.53 ± 1072.45 vs. 3950.83 ± 479.25 ng/mL) as well as increases of mean power (MP, 459.42 ± 122.25 vs. 434.60 ± 69.47 W) and MP/body weight (MP/BW, 7.54 ± 0.85 vs. 7.07 ± 1.09 W/Kg) were detected in E + TT group after high intensity training. For high volume training, reduction of IGFBP-3 (2946.38 ± 974.07 vs. 3632.67 ± 470.06 ng/mL) and increases of MP (508.71 ± 103.21 vs. 477.81 ± 49.90 W) and MP/BW (8.24 ± 0.29 vs. 7.52 ± 0.92 W/Kg) were detected in E+TT group. Muscle mass, blood levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and IGF-1 were unchanged between the two groups.
Conclusion: Taking 1250 mg capsules containing TT extracts did not change muscle mass and plasma levels of testosterone, DHT, and IGF-1 but significantly alleviated muscle damage and promoted anaerobic performance of trained male boxers, which may be related to the decrease of plasma IGFBP-3 rather than androgen in plasma.