ATP supplement - adenosine triphophate supplement by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

ATP supplement products are marketed to the general public with fatigue or for athletes involved in intense activities requiring short bursts of effort. These sports include weight lifting, sprinting, basketball, hockey, volleyball, soccer, and tennis. But what does the research say about ATP supplements in terms of energy enhancement?
   As of May 2008, I am not aware of any studies that have shown taking an ATP supplement increases energy levels. I personally have not taken an ATP supplement so I am not sure whether it works to boost energy or fight fatigue. MultiVit Rx is an excellent energy enhancer.

Effects of oral adenosine 5'-triphosphate and adenosine in enteric-coated capsules on indomethacin-induced permeability changes in the human small intestine: a randomized cross-over study.
BMC Gastroenterol. 2007 June. Bours MJ, Bos HJ, Meddings JB, Brummer RJ, van den Brandt PA, Dagnelie PC.
Maastricht University, Department of Epidemiology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
It is well-known that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause damage to the small bowel associated with disruption of mucosal barrier function. In healthy human volunteers, we showed previously that topical administration of adenosine 5'-triphosphate ATP by naso-intestinal tube attenuated a rise in small intestinal permeability induced by short-term challenge with the NSAID indomethacin. This finding suggested that ATP may be involved in the preservation of intestinal barrier function. Our current objective was to corroborate the favourable effect of ATP on indomethacin-induced permeability changes in healthy human volunteers when ATP is administered via enteric-coated capsules, which is a more practically feasible mode of administration. Since ATP effects may have been partly mediated through its breakdown to adenosine, effects of encapsulated adenosine were tested also. By ingesting a test drink containing 5 g lactulose and 0.5 g L-rhamnose followed by five-hour collection of total urine, small intestinal permeability was assessed in 33 healthy human volunteers by measuring the urinary lactulose / rhamnose excretion ratio. As a model of increased small intestinal permeability, two dosages of indomethacin were ingested at 10 h (75 mg) and 1 h (50 mg) before ingesting the lactulose / rhamnose test drink. At 1.5 h before indomethacin ingestion, two dosages of placebo, ATP (2 g per dosage) or adenosine (1 g per dosage) were administered via enteric-coated hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) capsules with Eudragit L30D-55. In this study, either ATP or adenosine administered via enteric-coated capsules had no effect on indomethacin-induced small intestinal permeability changes in healthy human volunteers. The observed lack of effect of encapsulated ATP / adenosine may have been caused by opening of the enteric-coated supplement at a site distal from the indomethacin-inflicted site.

ATP supplement questions
Q. Have you ever tested ATP adenosine triphophate supplement. I am thinking of adding this to my diet in small doses.
   A. I have not taken an ATP supplement and have not seen any human studies with ATP supplements to know whether they are effective in enhancing energy. If you do try these pills, do let us know if you noticed any effects.