Michalis Nikolaidis
@mg-nikolaidis.bsky.social
Professor I
Trying to speak my mind about the relevance of molecular processes in physiology and nutrition I
Reviews Editor in Eur J Appl Physiol |
https://nikolaidis.weebly.com/
Trying to speak my mind about the relevance of molecular processes in physiology and nutrition I
Reviews Editor in Eur J Appl Physiol |
https://nikolaidis.weebly.com/
Pinned
Free radicals and antioxidants: appealing to magic
In biology, there are no good or evil molecules. There is limited or no evidence to
support the consumption of antioxidants or (super)foods rich in antioxidants, for
the intended purpose of an antioxi...
www.cell.com
Free radicals and antioxidants: appealing to magic
Our short paper argues that molecules cannot be classified as good or evil. Limited evidence supporting the consumption of antioxidants or superfoods and such interventions risk disrupting fundamental redox processes.
www.cell.com/trends/endoc...
Our short paper argues that molecules cannot be classified as good or evil. Limited evidence supporting the consumption of antioxidants or superfoods and such interventions risk disrupting fundamental redox processes.
www.cell.com/trends/endoc...
Reposted by Michalis Nikolaidis
ICYMI: ONLINE NOW: Science captured by storytelling: the oxidative stress narrative
Science captured by storytelling: the oxidative stress narrative
The oxidative stress paradigm stands as a textbook example of how a simplified, early, and appealing scientific concept can become canonized and then resist revision. What began as a plausible heuristic about oxidative stress evolved into a research agenda and a pervasive cultural script.
dlvr.it
October 3, 2025 at 5:53 PM
ICYMI: ONLINE NOW: Science captured by storytelling: the oxidative stress narrative
Is “oxidative stress” a useful concept in biology and medicine?
In this work, led by Nikos, we argue that the term “oxidative stress” is devoid of biological meaning and, even worse, misleading.
In this work, led by Nikos, we argue that the term “oxidative stress” is devoid of biological meaning and, even worse, misleading.
Our new paper with @mg-nikolaidis.bsky.social out in
@cp-trendsmolecmed.bsky.social
“Science captured by storytelling: the oxidative stress narrative”
DOI: authors.elsevier.com/a/1lt2w5Eb1B...
@cp-trendsmolecmed.bsky.social
“Science captured by storytelling: the oxidative stress narrative”
DOI: authors.elsevier.com/a/1lt2w5Eb1B...
October 5, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Is “oxidative stress” a useful concept in biology and medicine?
In this work, led by Nikos, we argue that the term “oxidative stress” is devoid of biological meaning and, even worse, misleading.
In this work, led by Nikos, we argue that the term “oxidative stress” is devoid of biological meaning and, even worse, misleading.
Meta-research in muscle science: an audacious study shows glycerol storage, used for >60 years, makes fibers stiffer. Other biochemical effects?
An important finding that may force a reexamination of past studies and influence the design of new ones.
rupress.org/jgp/article/...
An important finding that may force a reexamination of past studies and influence the design of new ones.
rupress.org/jgp/article/...
Glycerol storage increases passive stiffness of muscle fibers through effects on titin extensibility | Journal of General Physiology | Rockefeller University Press
To store and preserve muscle function, glycerol is often used, but its effect on passive properties is unclear. Muscles stored in glycerol showed increased
rupress.org
August 8, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Meta-research in muscle science: an audacious study shows glycerol storage, used for >60 years, makes fibers stiffer. Other biochemical effects?
An important finding that may force a reexamination of past studies and influence the design of new ones.
rupress.org/jgp/article/...
An important finding that may force a reexamination of past studies and influence the design of new ones.
rupress.org/jgp/article/...
How much researchers truly believe what they are saying (from most to least):
1. Conference chat after some beers
2. Conference presentation
3. Paper (first draft)
4. Paper (published)
5. Grant proposal
6. Interview to media
😅
1. Conference chat after some beers
2. Conference presentation
3. Paper (first draft)
4. Paper (published)
5. Grant proposal
6. Interview to media
😅
August 5, 2025 at 8:30 AM
How much researchers truly believe what they are saying (from most to least):
1. Conference chat after some beers
2. Conference presentation
3. Paper (first draft)
4. Paper (published)
5. Grant proposal
6. Interview to media
😅
1. Conference chat after some beers
2. Conference presentation
3. Paper (first draft)
4. Paper (published)
5. Grant proposal
6. Interview to media
😅
My understanding is that increases in blood reactive species or ox. stress markers cannot, predominantly, originate from ox. stress in tissues, since neither reactive species nor ox. stress products generated in cells have been shown to exit tissues & contribute to blood levels.
July 11, 2025 at 9:11 AM
My understanding is that increases in blood reactive species or ox. stress markers cannot, predominantly, originate from ox. stress in tissues, since neither reactive species nor ox. stress products generated in cells have been shown to exit tissues & contribute to blood levels.
A fresh perspective on hydrogen peroxide metabolism during exercise.
In vivo (normoxic), muscle contractions typically cause only minimal increases in H₂O₂ (<10%), whereas in vitro (hyperoxic) assays often show far greater increases (~150–340%).
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
In vivo (normoxic), muscle contractions typically cause only minimal increases in H₂O₂ (<10%), whereas in vitro (hyperoxic) assays often show far greater increases (~150–340%).
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
State of the art in vivo reactive oxygen species measurements in skeletal muscle using fluorescent proteins
Evaluation of the effects of muscle contractions on reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations and their intracellular and intraorganelle dynamics i…
sciencedirect.com
July 10, 2025 at 6:01 AM
A fresh perspective on hydrogen peroxide metabolism during exercise.
In vivo (normoxic), muscle contractions typically cause only minimal increases in H₂O₂ (<10%), whereas in vitro (hyperoxic) assays often show far greater increases (~150–340%).
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
In vivo (normoxic), muscle contractions typically cause only minimal increases in H₂O₂ (<10%), whereas in vitro (hyperoxic) assays often show far greater increases (~150–340%).
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Erythrocyte glutathione synthesis peaks at ~1.0 g protein/kg/day in young & old individuals, even though glutathione concentrations remain unchanged. Additional protein offers no benefit for those with "normal" glutathione levels.
ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S000...
ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S000...
ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S000...
ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S000...
Protein intake affects erythrocyte glutathione synthesis in young healthy adults in a repeated-measures trial
In 2005, the Institute of Medicine advised using methods other than nitrogen balance
(NB) for determining protein requirements. Since then, protein requirements using
indicator amino acid oxidation (I...
ajcn.nutrition.org
July 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Erythrocyte glutathione synthesis peaks at ~1.0 g protein/kg/day in young & old individuals, even though glutathione concentrations remain unchanged. Additional protein offers no benefit for those with "normal" glutathione levels.
ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S000...
ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S000...
ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S000...
ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S000...
Much of the joy of computational papers lies in how they bring scattered insights together. Even if you don’t model, this one helps experimentalists design better studies by clarifying how training stresses drive specific adaptations across energy systems.
arxiv.org/abs/2503.14841
arxiv.org/abs/2503.14841
The three-dimensional impulse-response model: Modeling the training process in accordance with energy system-specific adaptation
Athletic training is characterized by physiological systems responding to repeated exercise-induced stress, resulting in gradual alterations in the functional properties of these systems. The adaptive...
arxiv.org
June 5, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Much of the joy of computational papers lies in how they bring scattered insights together. Even if you don’t model, this one helps experimentalists design better studies by clarifying how training stresses drive specific adaptations across energy systems.
arxiv.org/abs/2503.14841
arxiv.org/abs/2503.14841
Vitamin C+E supplementation blunts molecular adaptations to sprint interval training but not performance gains.
Since performance wasn’t impaired, I wonder whether, and to what extent, the blunted molecular responses can truly be considered detrimental
physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/...
Since performance wasn’t impaired, I wonder whether, and to what extent, the blunted molecular responses can truly be considered detrimental
physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/...
Antioxidant supplementation blunts the proteome response to 3 weeks of sprint interval training preferentially in human type 2 muscle fibres
Abstract figure legend Sprint interval training (SIT) is a popular time-efficient type of endurance training. Healthy young men performed nine SIT sessions (4–6 × 30 s all-out cycling sprints) over 3...
physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
May 29, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Vitamin C+E supplementation blunts molecular adaptations to sprint interval training but not performance gains.
Since performance wasn’t impaired, I wonder whether, and to what extent, the blunted molecular responses can truly be considered detrimental
physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/...
Since performance wasn’t impaired, I wonder whether, and to what extent, the blunted molecular responses can truly be considered detrimental
physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/...
James Imlay turns redox chaos into clockwork: his new paper shows how membrane permeability sets the tempo of oxidative stress, with straight-up back-of-the-envelope math in the appendix. Fundamental, elegant, causal.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Barrier Properties of Biological Membranes Dictate How Cells Experience Oxidative Stress
Molecular oxygen diffuses across membranes with such speed that, despite respiration, the intracellular oxygen concentration does not differ significantly from that outside the cell. In contrast, mem...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
April 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
James Imlay turns redox chaos into clockwork: his new paper shows how membrane permeability sets the tempo of oxidative stress, with straight-up back-of-the-envelope math in the appendix. Fundamental, elegant, causal.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Despite the challenges, this well-conducted study found that chronic Theracurmin—a bioavailable curcumin extract—supplementation neither enhanced nor impaired muscle hypertrophy in mice, but simply modulated some inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.
journals.humankinetics.com/view/journal...
journals.humankinetics.com/view/journal...
journals.humankinetics.com
April 15, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Despite the challenges, this well-conducted study found that chronic Theracurmin—a bioavailable curcumin extract—supplementation neither enhanced nor impaired muscle hypertrophy in mice, but simply modulated some inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.
journals.humankinetics.com/view/journal...
journals.humankinetics.com/view/journal...
Eur J Appl Physiol now welcomes reviews from all thinkers—whether or not they identify as physiologists. A great review is not about labels but about curiosity, depth & synthesis. Young scientists, your fresh takes are especially invited.
More in my editorial:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
More in my editorial:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Review papers that push the boundaries of physiology and EJAP - European Journal of Applied Physiology
European Journal of Applied Physiology -
link.springer.com
April 4, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Eur J Appl Physiol now welcomes reviews from all thinkers—whether or not they identify as physiologists. A great review is not about labels but about curiosity, depth & synthesis. Young scientists, your fresh takes are especially invited.
More in my editorial:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
More in my editorial:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Study shows that chronic antioxidant supplementation (VitC+VitE) blunted molecular adaptations to training, yet, no impact on any measure of exercise performance—considering that "antioxidant" is a vague term and that VitC+VitE may not always act as such.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org
February 12, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Study shows that chronic antioxidant supplementation (VitC+VitE) blunted molecular adaptations to training, yet, no impact on any measure of exercise performance—considering that "antioxidant" is a vague term and that VitC+VitE may not always act as such.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Important study highlighting plausible molecular links between redox metabolism and exercise performance—an area notoriously difficult to dissect. The findings challenge assumptions that G6PD deficiency decreases exercise performance. A human replication study would be invaluable.
G6PD deficiency affects 6% of humankind, predisposing RBCs to hemolysis after oxidant stress. Unexpectedly, humanized G6PD deficient mice do not hemolyze after oxidant stress post exercise, and tolerate exercise better! On the cover of @bloodadvances.bsky.social
ashpublications.org/bloodadvance...
ashpublications.org/bloodadvance...
Increased exercise tolerance in humanized G6PD-deficient mice
Key PointsG6PD-deficient mice maintain higher exercise speeds without increased red blood cell hemolysis, questioning assumed risks.Increased cardiac outpu
ashpublications.org
January 31, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Important study highlighting plausible molecular links between redox metabolism and exercise performance—an area notoriously difficult to dissect. The findings challenge assumptions that G6PD deficiency decreases exercise performance. A human replication study would be invaluable.
Reposted by Michalis Nikolaidis
Our contribution to the Special Issue "Unlocking Athletic Potential: Exploring Exercise Physiology from Mechanisms to Performance" in FRBM, Guest-edited by Prof. Gomez-Cabrera & @c-handschin.bsky.social
#redox #supplements #sports #evidence
#redox #supplements #sports #evidence
“Evidence-based sports supplements: A redox analysis” by @margaritelis.bsky.social, @parikki.bsky.social, @mg-nikolaidis.bsky.social and colleagues.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
10/17
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
10/17
Evidence-based sports supplements: A redox analysis
Despite the overwhelming number of sports supplements on the market, only seven are currently recognized as effective. Biological functions are largel…
www.sciencedirect.com
January 30, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Our contribution to the Special Issue "Unlocking Athletic Potential: Exploring Exercise Physiology from Mechanisms to Performance" in FRBM, Guest-edited by Prof. Gomez-Cabrera & @c-handschin.bsky.social
#redox #supplements #sports #evidence
#redox #supplements #sports #evidence
A special issue on Exercise Physiology and Redox Biology, with bridges built along the way. Thanks for the kind invitation.
“Unlocking Athletic Potential: Exploring Exercise Physiology from Mechanisms to Performance” in FRBM is complete! Reviews on exercise physiology, muscle plasticity, molecular mechanisms and more! All #openaccess!
#myoblue #muscle #exercise
www.sciencedirect.com/special-issu...
A long🧵: 1/17
#myoblue #muscle #exercise
www.sciencedirect.com/special-issu...
A long🧵: 1/17
Free Radical Biology and Medicine | Unlocking Athletic Potential: Exploring Exercise Physiology from Mechanisms to Performance | ScienceDirect.com by ElsevierScienceDirect
Exercise training involves repeated exposure to increases in metabolic, thermal, mechanical, and oxidative stress. This exposure stimulates physiological adaptations that improve tolerance to similar ...
www.sciencedirect.com
January 30, 2025 at 8:30 AM
A special issue on Exercise Physiology and Redox Biology, with bridges built along the way. Thanks for the kind invitation.
If you are measuring total protein content in skeletal muscle and wondering about the origin of the often-cited 'holy number'—that ~20% of muscle is protein—a recent detailed study provides support for it, reporting a value of 17.7%.
journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10....
journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10....
Human adipose and skeletal muscle tissue DNA, RNA, and protein content | Journal of Applied Physiology
The purpose of this project was to provide a profile of DNA, RNA, and protein content in adipose tissue, which is relatively understudied in humans, to gain more insight into the amount of tissue that...
journals.physiology.org
January 6, 2025 at 5:39 PM
If you are measuring total protein content in skeletal muscle and wondering about the origin of the often-cited 'holy number'—that ~20% of muscle is protein—a recent detailed study provides support for it, reporting a value of 17.7%.
journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10....
journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10....
I believe that a great issue stemming from the undeniable ergogenic potential of carbohydrates and creatine is the misconception that increasing any 'good' molecule in our body will automatically enhance exercise performance—and the reverse.
December 16, 2024 at 8:19 AM
I believe that a great issue stemming from the undeniable ergogenic potential of carbohydrates and creatine is the misconception that increasing any 'good' molecule in our body will automatically enhance exercise performance—and the reverse.
Remarkable study in mice provides invaluable insights but occasionally falls into the pitfall of overcomparing its findings to human studies, despite being unfeasible in humans. Plus a nuanced review of exercise metabolism, rich with intricacies for researchers.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Quantification of nutrient fluxes during acute exercise in mice
Despite the known metabolic benefits of exercise, an integrated metabolic understanding of exercise is lacking. Here, we use in vivo steady-state isot…
www.sciencedirect.com
December 10, 2024 at 2:24 PM
Remarkable study in mice provides invaluable insights but occasionally falls into the pitfall of overcomparing its findings to human studies, despite being unfeasible in humans. Plus a nuanced review of exercise metabolism, rich with intricacies for researchers.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Different concentrations of the reactive nitrogen species (RONS) nitrate and nitrite in trained vs untrained and healthy vs diseased groups, pointing to significant physiological implications.
Meta reports plasma [NO3−] (μmol/L) & [NO2−] (nmol/L):
- at cardiometabolic risk 21.2 [95%CI, 13.4–29.0] & 122.8 [95%CI, 75.3–138.9]
- health 33.9 [95%CI, 29.9–37.9] & 159.5 [95%CI, 131.8–187.1]
- trained 43.0 [95%CI, 13.2–72.9] & 199.3 [95%CI, 117.6–281]
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- at cardiometabolic risk 21.2 [95%CI, 13.4–29.0] & 122.8 [95%CI, 75.3–138.9]
- health 33.9 [95%CI, 29.9–37.9] & 159.5 [95%CI, 131.8–187.1]
- trained 43.0 [95%CI, 13.2–72.9] & 199.3 [95%CI, 117.6–281]
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
December 10, 2024 at 11:26 AM
Different concentrations of the reactive nitrogen species (RONS) nitrate and nitrite in trained vs untrained and healthy vs diseased groups, pointing to significant physiological implications.
A list of (exercise) skeletal muscle researchers in Bluesky
I noticed there wasn’t a starter pack for skeletal muscle scientists, so I made one as the muscle community continues to migrate here. Drop a comment if you’d like to be included!
go.bsky.app/3hKK1WX
go.bsky.app/3hKK1WX
November 25, 2024 at 9:30 PM
A list of (exercise) skeletal muscle researchers in Bluesky
Free radicals and antioxidants: appealing to magic
Our short paper argues that molecules cannot be classified as good or evil. Limited evidence supporting the consumption of antioxidants or superfoods and such interventions risk disrupting fundamental redox processes.
www.cell.com/trends/endoc...
Our short paper argues that molecules cannot be classified as good or evil. Limited evidence supporting the consumption of antioxidants or superfoods and such interventions risk disrupting fundamental redox processes.
www.cell.com/trends/endoc...
Free radicals and antioxidants: appealing to magic
In biology, there are no good or evil molecules. There is limited or no evidence to
support the consumption of antioxidants or (super)foods rich in antioxidants, for
the intended purpose of an antioxi...
www.cell.com
November 25, 2024 at 9:43 AM
Free radicals and antioxidants: appealing to magic
Our short paper argues that molecules cannot be classified as good or evil. Limited evidence supporting the consumption of antioxidants or superfoods and such interventions risk disrupting fundamental redox processes.
www.cell.com/trends/endoc...
Our short paper argues that molecules cannot be classified as good or evil. Limited evidence supporting the consumption of antioxidants or superfoods and such interventions risk disrupting fundamental redox processes.
www.cell.com/trends/endoc...
A list of redox biology researchers in Bluesky
I have initiated this #StarterPack with #RedoxBio researchers.
Feel free to suggest other users, or yourself, to be included!
go.bsky.app/UoVRtXp
Feel free to suggest other users, or yourself, to be included!
go.bsky.app/UoVRtXp
November 25, 2024 at 9:22 AM
A list of redox biology researchers in Bluesky
Sabine Hossenfelder and Professor Dave Explains are, in my view, both serious and thoughtful science communicators.
Recently, Sabine shared her perspective on why academia is failing:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKiB...
Recently, Sabine shared her perspective on why academia is failing:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKiB...
My dream died, and now I'm here
YouTube video by Sabine Hossenfelder
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2024 at 2:24 PM
Sabine Hossenfelder and Professor Dave Explains are, in my view, both serious and thoughtful science communicators.
Recently, Sabine shared her perspective on why academia is failing:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKiB...
Recently, Sabine shared her perspective on why academia is failing:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKiB...
Impressive paper by Rob Phillips exploring physical biology through a historical lens:
www.cell.com/current-biol...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Seeing with an extra sense
In this Guest editorial for the special issue, Rob Phillips considers some of the
ways in which viewing the living through a physical lens allows us to see things that
might otherwise remain hidden.
www.cell.com
November 22, 2024 at 10:50 PM
Impressive paper by Rob Phillips exploring physical biology through a historical lens:
www.cell.com/current-biol...
www.cell.com/current-biol...