Novel insights on caffeine supplementation, CYP1A2 genotype, physiological responses and exercise performance

Author(s)

Barreto, Gabriel ^[1] ; Grecco, Beatriz ^[1] ; Merola, Pietro ^[1] ; Goncalves Reis, Caio Eduardo ^[2] ; Gualano, Bruno ^{[3, 1]} ; Saunders, Bryan ^{[4, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Appl Physiol & Nutr Res Grp, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Rheumatol Div, Fac Med FMUSP, Av Dr Arnaldo 455, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Brasilia, Dept Nutr, Brasilia, DF - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Food Res Ctr, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med FMUSP, Inst Orthopaed & Traumatol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY; v. 121, n. 3 JAN 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Caffeine is a popular ergogenic aid due to its primary physiological effects that occur through antagonism of adenosine receptors in the central nervous system. This leads to a cascade of physiological reactions which increases focus and volition, and reduces perception of effort and pain, contributing to improved exercise performance. Substantial variability in the physiological and performance response to acute caffeine consumption is apparent, and a growing number of studies are implicating a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the CYP1A2 gene, responsible for caffeine metabolism, as a key factor that influences the acute responses to caffeine ingestion. However, existing literature regarding the influence of this polymorphism on the ergogenic effects of caffeine is controversial. Fast caffeine metabolisers (AA homozygotes) appear most likely to benefit from caffeine supplementation, although over half of studies showed no differences in the responses to caffeine between CYP1A2 genotypes, while others even showed either a possible advantage or disadvantage for C-allele carriers. Contrasting data are limited by weak study designs and small samples sizes, which did not allow separation of C-allele carriers into their sub-groups (AC and CC), and insufficient mechanistic evidence to elucidate findings. Mixed results prevent practical recommendations based upon genotype while genetic testing for CYP1A2 is also currently unwarranted. More mechanistic and applied research is required to elucidate how the CYP1A2 polymorphism might alter caffeine's ergogenic effect and the magnitude thereof, and whether CYP1A2 genotyping prior to caffeine supplementation is necessary. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/15314-1 - The influence of the CYP1A2 polymorphism on the physiological responses and performance following acute supplementation with caffeine
• Grantee: Gabriel Henrique Castanho Barreto
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 17/13552-2 - Reducing sedentary time in clinical populations: the take a stand for health study
• Grantee: Bruno Gualano
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/02391-0 - Effect of habitual caffeine consumption on individual responses to acute caffeine supplementation
• Grantee: Beatriz Helena Grecco
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 16/50438-0 - Nutritional suplementation and exercise to optimize exercise performance: focus on individual responses and a step towards personalized sports nutrition
• Grantee: Bryan Saunders
• Support type: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants