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Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "
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24.07.2011 |
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Got it! Active ingredient in cordyceps is cordycepin
Cordycepin is an adenosine analogue. Cells have receptors for adenosine, which can raise and speed up metabolism of cells. Because adenosine receptors play a role in the production of testosterone in Leydig cells, the researchers decided to test this substance on mice and the testosterone producing Leydig cells of mice.
Experiments with Leydig cells showed that the maximal effect of cordycepin was reached within three hours. The higher the concentration of cordycepin, the more testosterone the cells produced.
When the Taiwanese researchers added cordycepin and various adenosine blockers to Leydig cells, they were able to work out that cordycepin works most via adenosine receptor A2a [production increased by a maximum of factor 7], and to a lesser extent via A1 and A3.
The researchers were able to show that via the adenosine receptors cordycepin raises the concentration of cAMP and via cAMP the activity of the StAR protein.
The Taiwanese are cautious, stating that cordycepin is only one of the active substances in Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris.
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