Review: Muscletech Nitro-Tech® NOP-47

Posted By elissa on May 21, 2011 | 0 comments

Nitro-Tech NOP-47 has been discontinued.

“One of the best pre-workout supplements, Nitro-Tech NOP-47 delivers a newly discovered, scientifically backed peptide known for vasodilation: NOP-47! This unique protein peptide (aka, whey protein hydrolysate or amino acid sequence) is backed by research from the University of Connecticut and can be found exclusively in the Nitro-Tech NOP-47 supplement – you won’t find it in a single other sports nutrition supplement on the market! Plus, NOP-47 is obtained using a resource-intensive extraction process called Peptide Mining Technology. During this process, a specifically selected amino acid sequence is cut from the longer strand of amino acids that makes up whey protein. This peptide, called NOP-47, is then utilized exclusively in Nitro-Tech NOP-47 for its significant vasodilation effects!”

About Nitro-Tech NOP-47

Nitro-Tech® NOP-47™ is one of Muscletech’s latest additions to its “Hardcore Pro” series of supplements. Compared to regular Nitro-Tech, however, the NOP-47 version is relatively simple. It consists largely of whey protein isolate, some added maltodextrin, a few (underdosed) amino acids, creatine, some digestive enzymes… and NOP-47. See for yourself:

Calories 170
Total Carbohydrate 18g
Sugars 2g
Protein 25g

Nitro-Tech NOP-47 Blend 10,564mg
NOP-47™ Max
NOP-47™ (Whey Protein Hydrolysate)
Amino FX
Creatine Monohydrate
L-Leucine
L-Isoleucine
L-Valine
ArgiSurge™
L-Arginine
AKG (Alpha-Ketoglutarate)
L-Carnosine (Beta-Alanine And Histidine Dipeptide)
L-Glutamine
Enzyplex™
Papain
Amylase

Other Ingredients:
Maltodextrin, Hyper-Pure Whey Protein Isolate (Ion-Exchanged, 90% Purity), Natural And Artificial Flavors, Cocoa Powder, Guar Gum, Malic Acid, Antifoam (Canola Oil, Ethoxylated Sorbitan Monostearate, Ethoxylated Sorbitan Monopalmitate, Ethoxylated Fatty Acid, Water, Sorbitan Monostearate, Hydrophobic Silica, Fatty Acids, Butylated Hydroxytoluene), Sucralose, Acesulfame-Potassium.

Other than the NOP-47, the formula is pretty plain-jane. There’s not a lot to be said for protein, carbs and creatine that hasn’t been said elsewhere: it’s a standard combo for optimizing training adaptations and recovery.

So, good… but seriously, this isn’t a reason to recommend this product over any number of other products or DIY stacks. Let’s face it… the only thing that compels interest is the NOP-47.

The Science Behind NOP-47

What is NOP-47? Here’s what Muscletech has to say about it:

The unique protein peptide NOP-47™ (aka, whey protein hydrolysate or amino acid sequence) is a vasodilation agent backed by research from the University of Connecticut and can be found exclusively in Nitro-Tech® NOP-47™ – you won’t find it in a single other sports nutrition supplement on the market! What’s more, NOP-47™ is obtained using a resource-intensive extraction process called Peptide Mining Technology, during which a specifically selected amino acid sequence is cut from the longer strand of amino acids that makes up whey protein. This peptide, called NOP-47™, is then utilized exclusively in Nitro-Tech® NOP-47™ for its significant vasodilation effects!

Almost sounds as if Muscletech invented it, doesn’t it? Except, of course, it didn’t. NOP-47 is a proprietary name used by Glanbia plc for one of its newer ingredients: a whey protein hydrolysate with vasodilating properties. According to that University of Connecticut study (which was sponsored by Glanbia), 5g of NOP-47 improved the mean flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial arteries and forearm blood flow of 20 healthy volunteers.

This implies that—as a vasodilator—NOP-47 will get you pumped… and since the same 5g dose is provided in Nitro-Tech NOP-47, the product should get you pumped, too, right?

Wellllll… maybe yes, maybe no. Before we leap to any conclusions, let’s take a closer look at that study.

To begin, it’s important to recognize that research on bioactive peptides from milk proteins is nothing new. Specifically, research on anti-hypertensive milk peptides has been going on for at least 15 years. And while research on hypertension might not seem applicable to bodybuilding, the two do overlap… at least as far as vasodilation is concerned. Relaxation of vessels and expansion of blood flow are important to both “the pump” and reducing high blood pressure.

Anti-hypertensive peptides work by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)—just as prescription ACE-inhibiting blood pressure meds (Captopril, Enalapril, etc.) do. ACE inhibition limits the production of the vasoconstricting compound angiotensin II, while simultaneously reducing the breakdown of an endogenous polypeptide, bradykinin. Bradykinin, among other things, enhances endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and nitric oxide (NO) production. The end result of ACE inhibition is vasodilation and increased blood flow.

Vasoactive milk peptides have already hit the supplement market. An example is “ameal bp“—which contains the anti-hypertensive tripeptides VPP and IPP (valyl prolyl proline and isoleucyl prolyl proline). The blood pressure-reducing effect of these “lactotripeptides” is also supported by several clinical studies. Glanbia sees similar therapeutic applications for its peptide preparations, too. But the undeniable popularity of “hemodilating” supps could also secure a place for vasoactive peptides in the sports nutrition market. Indeed, it’s a natural fit for Glanbia, which also owns Optimum Nutrition and BSN.

Things to Keep in Mind

At any rate, it looks like NOP-47 itself has potential. But there are some caveats that need to be kept in mind when applying the study results to the Muscletech product. To wit:

1. In the study, the subjects consumed straight NOP-47—there were no other ingredients. On the other hand, Nitro-Tech NOP-47 contains additional whey protein, maltodextrin and creatine. It’s conceivable that these additional ingredients could affect NOP-47 absorption.
2. The subjects in the study fasted for 12h prior to the experiment, and were also instructed to avoid alcohol, caffeine and exercise for 24h, “to eliminate confounding influences on the experimental variables.” Thus, the measurements were not made under “real world” conditions. Since exercise itself can increase vasodilation, it’s fair to ask whether the observed differences between the two groups would have been maintained, increased… or eliminated altogether by exercise.
3. The placebo consisted of artificial sweetener only. A more appropriate placebo would have been regular ol’ whey protein or even an “ordinary” whey protein hydrolysate. After all, specialty ingredients typically command higher prices—so from where I sit, it’s not enough to demonstrate that an ingredient is better than nothing. Rather, the manufacturer should also demonstrate that it’s better than less expensive, more readily obtainable alternatives. After all, regular ol’ whey protein may lower blood pressure and improve arterial stiffness, too.
4. The study does not appear to have been properly blinded. As the experimenters noted, “All but one subject correctly identified which supplement contained NOP-47.”

Thus, this study is suggestive… but doesn’t clearly predict how well NOP-47 will work as part of a blended supplement like Nitro-Tech NOP-47.

And this, of course, is why I decided to give it a trial run.

Taste and Performance

Nitro-Tech NOP-47 currently comes in two flavors: Fruit Punch and Chocolate Milkshake. I picked up a container of the latter, and it was a good choice… it was actually pretty tasty. In addition, I did feel more “pumped” during my workouts: not quite as much as with a good pre-workout NO-booster, but—on the other hand—it was achieved without a load of stimulants and extraneous compounds added more for show than efficacy.

In other words, it was ok. My arms weren’t exploding, but it did have an effect.

So what’s the verdict?

I’d say Nitro-Tech NOP-47 represents a good try: an attempt to combine some useful, if unexciting, ingredients with an innovative one. There were a couple of downsides: notably the small number of servings (16) and the maltodextrin “padding”… which pushes the carb content to 40% of the product. While it’s true that high-GI carbs have their place in a pre-workout stack; it’s also true that malto is dirt cheap… there’s no reason to be paying protein prices for it.

All things considered, though, I rather liked Nitro-Tech NOP-47… I wasn’t overwhelmed by it, but it’s decent enough. If you’d like to try a non-stimulant vasodilator, it could be worth a shot.