The effect of an ?-ketoglutarate-pyridoxine complex on human maximal aerobic and anaerobic performance

The administration of 30 mg/kg of body weight of an α-ketoglutarate-pyridoxine complex (α-KG compl; stoichiometric ratio α-KG: pyridoxine 46.35 to 53.65) to trained non-athletic individuals increases \(\dot V_{O_2 } \) max by 6% (p<0.005). The kinetics of the \(\dot V_{O_2 } \) on- and off-responses at the onset and offset of a rectangular work load is not affected by the drug. Peak blood lactate concentration [La_b] following two supramaximal running work loads lasting 60 s and 132±4 s, respectively is significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.005) less after the α-KG compl treatment (δLa_b=−1.1 and −2.7 mmol·1⁻¹, respectively) than in a control group. The half time (t1/2) of La disappearance from blood during recovery is unaffected by the α-KG compl treatment (19.7 min vs 19.5 min). The increase in \(\dot V_{O_2 } \) max and the corresponding decrease of [La_b] are not found after separate administration of either of the components of the complex. It is concluded that α-KG complex stimulates aerobic metabolism, probably prompting mitochondrial reabsorption of α-KG, which activates the malate-oxalacetate shuttle and the generation of high energy phosphates at the substrate level.