Chemi Nutra Files PA Muscle-Building Patent

WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn.Chemi Nutra filed a patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO, application no. 13/373,649) describing the oral use of phosphatidic acid (PA), by itself and in combination with typical nutritional ingredients such as creatine, to increase muscle mass and strength in mammals. The company said its discovery of the role PA pays in muscle development will have major implications in sports nutrition; healthy aging, where age related muscle loss (sarcopenia) is now a major concern; and in ill/bedridden (cachectic) individuals.

Signaling by the mechanism known as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been reported to be necessary for mechanical load-induced growth of skeletal muscle (muscular hypertrophy) and consequent strength gain. Several studies indicate that the lipid messenger PA plays a critical role in the mechanical activation of mTOR signaling. It has been shown that an elevation in PA concentration is sufficient for the activation of mTOR signaling.

following extensive investigation into the role of PA, Chemi Nutra  said it discovered how PA could significantly influence load-induced growth of skeletal muscle via the mTOR pathway. In addition, it was discovered that PA exhibited noticeable effects on strength development, especially when adequate amounts of protein, administered within the anabolic window, were provided to exercising individuals.

Scott Hagerman, president of Chemi Nutra said, PA caught our attention several years ago, and as we commonly do with our R&D and IP capabilities within Chemi, we filed this novel patent and concurrently began development of a finished ingredient product called Mediator® 50P Phosphatidic Acid (PA), which we plan to begin marketing in early 2012. We are very, very excited about this new specialty ingredient compound, and we already have a number of interested companies who are quite eager to use it in their new product formulations."

For more information on the sports nutrition market, read INSIDER's article "Sports Ingredients Keep 'Em Moving."