Published in the Journal of Caffeine Research, the study was funded partially by Compound Solutions, manufacturer of TeaCrine, a branded, nature-identical compound of theacrine, which can be found in some varieties of tea leaves and coffee.
Findings of the study suggested that caffeine made theacrine more bioavailable, said Matt Titlow, CEO of Compound Solutions.
“The study shows that co-administering caffeine with TeaCrine increases Cmax (maximal or peak concentration of TeaCrine in the blood) and AUC (area under the curve= total dose exposure over time after single dose),” he told NutraIngredients-USA.
Recruiting participants and selecting supplements
Eight healthy non-smokers were recruited to participate in the study, which included four men and four women. All participants regularly consume caffeine, 50-400 mg/day, in the form of beverage or dietary supplement.
The study had a randomized, double-blind, four-arm crossover design with each participant receiving four treatments: 25 mg theacrine, 125 mg theacrine, 150 mg caffeine, and the combination of 125 mg theacrine with 150 mg caffeine.
Caffeine used in the study came from Nutravative Ingredients, while the theacrine was Compound Solution’s TeaCrine.
Study design
Participants visited a laboratory for each study day in the early mornings after a 10-hour fast and abstinence from beverages, drugs, or supplements containing alcohol or caffeine. They were also asked to abstain from strenuous physical exercise.
A catheter was inserted into the forearm vein for blood sampling. Measurements were taken of resting heart rate and blood pressure were taken pre-dose and before each timed blood sample. An hour after arrival at the lab, participants are given a single oral of the supplement accompanied by water.
Blood samples were drawn before supplementation, as well as 15, 30, 60, and 90 minutes after supplements were ingested. More blood samples were drawn 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hours after supplementation.
Findings: ‘Following co-ingestion with caffeine, theacrine disposition was significantly altered’
The researchers found that caffeine decreased theacrine’s oral clearance when both are consumed together; this correlated with enhanced theacrine exposure parameters and maximum concentration.
“This [is] the first study to assess, confirm and validate the absorption, metabolism and excretion dynamics of TeaCrine consumption in humans,” Titlow said.
“It also suggests that consumers may benefit from obtaining similar benefits, while using lower doses of caffeine (potentially decreasing adverse cardiovascular/ hemodynamic reactions, irritability and jitters.”
Source: Journal of Caffeine Research
Published online ahead of print, https://doi.org/10.1089/jcr.2017.0006
Assessment of the Drug–Drug Interaction Potential Between Theacrine and Caffeine in Humans
Authors: He Hui, Ma Dejian, Crone Laura Brooks, Butawan Matthew, Meibohm Bernd, Bloomer Richard J., and Yates Charles R.