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. 2023 Mar 7:14:1142567.
doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1142567. eCollection 2023.

Transcutaneous delivery of sodium bicarbonate increases intramuscular pH

Brandon M Gibson  1 , Karen Wiedenfeld Needham  1 , Brendan W Kaiser  1 , Brad W Wilkins  1 , Christopher T Minson  1 , John R Halliwill  1
Affiliations

Transcutaneous delivery of sodium bicarbonate increases intramuscular pH

Brandon M Gibson et al. Front Physiol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Oral bicarbonate loading improves the buffering of metabolic acidosis and may improve exercise performance but can also result in gastric distress. Momentous' PR Lotion contains a novel composition intended to provide a transdermal delivery vehicle for sodium bicarbonate which could allow the same ergogenic effect without the gastric distress. The present study explored the effect of transdermal delivery of sodium bicarbonate in a resting condition. Methods: We measured the pH from intramuscular dialysate, via microdialysis, of the vastus lateralis during a 2 h application of PR Lotion (40 g of lotion per leg) in 9 subjects (3 women, 6 men). Venous blood samples were obtained for serum pH before and after application. A placebo time control was also performed in 4 subjects (2 women, 2 men). We hypothesized that PR Lotion application would increase pH of intramuscular dialysate. Results: PR Lotion resulted in a rise in pH of 0.13 ± 0.04 units (p < 0.05), which translates to a 28% reduction in [H+]. Increases in serum pH were smaller (∼9%) yet consistent (p < 0.05). In contrast, placebo time control pH tended to decrease (p = 0.08). The effect of PR Lotion on pH tended to correlate with the dose per kg body weight of each individual (r = 0.70, p = 0.08). Conclusion: These observations support the idea of transdermal bicarbonate delivery impacting pH buffering both systemically and intramuscularly. Further work investigating these potential benefits in an exercising model would be critical to establishing PR Lotion's utility as an ergogenic aid.

Keywords: acidosis lactic; alkalosis; anaerobic threshold; athletic performance; metabolic acidosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

BW holds equity in Momentous and has served as a scientific advisor to Momentous; BW stands to financially benefit from the success of Momentous’ products; BW has engaged in this research for and is publishing on behalf of Momentous. JH has received a research contract from Momentous; the University of Oregon remains Halliwill’s primary place of employment and all research are attributed to the University of Oregon. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Study Design.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Intramuscular dialysate pH (left panel) and serum pH (right panel) during the primary study from baseline to end-of-study.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
[Na+] for intramuscular dialysate (left panel) and serum (right panel) during the primary study from baseline to end-of-study.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
[K+] for intramuscular dialysate (left panel) and serum (right panel) during the primary study from baseline to end-of-study.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Relation of dosage to the change in intramuscular dialysate pH during the primary study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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