(LB02-18-24) Enhanced Absorption of Functional Ingredients in a Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Solution: A Pharmacokinetic Analysis

There is a rapid consumer adoption of fast-acting, dual-benefit hydration products that address hydration along with other benefits: sleep and energy. However, there is a paucity of data on the effects of such carbohydrate-electrolyte (CHO-E) hydration solutions on absorption of functional ingredients: melatonin, L-theanine & caffeine. Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies of such functional ingredients can help elucidate structure function relationships and expand the understanding of mechanisms. Rate of intestinal absorption of functional ingredients can be further enhanced using an optimized CHO-E solution by triggering the active GI transport mechanisms.

The study examined the individual PK of functional ingredients for 1) Sleep: melatonin w/ L-theanine & 2) Energy: caffeine w/ L-theanine. Primary outcomes included the relative PK of each functional ingredient: time of maximum observed concentration (Tmax), maximum observed concentration (Cmax), cumulative Area Under the Curve (AUC).

Methods:

25 subjects (ages 23-55) were randomized to one of two arms; (Arm 1: melatonin w/ L-theanine or Arm 2: caffeine w/ L-theanine, in an oral rehydration solution with or without CHO-E) and completed a crossover design separated by 7 days. Serial blood draws took place pre and post treatment over the course of 4hrs.

Results:

Tmax analysis showed all analytes in both arms had a significantly lower test article Tmax than the control demonstrating faster absorption. Data from Arm 1 showed that melatonin & L-theanine absorption were 36% (p=0.01) & 25% (p=0.05) faster. Arm 2 showed that caffeine & L-theanine absorption were 44% (p < 0.01) & 42% (p=0.01) faster. Cmax data across the two study arms revealed no statistically significant effect (P >0.05). AUC0-240min data showed only one of the attributes, L-theanine (Arm 1), yielded a statistically significant difference between the test article & control drinks (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

The optimized CHO-E hydration solution enabled significantly faster rate of intestinal absorption of caffeine, L-theanine & melatonin. These findings suggest a potential faster onset of sleep and energy benefits.

Funding Sources: Study sponsored by Liquid I.V.