scholarly journals Assessing the Potential of Nutraceuticals as Geroprotectors on Muscle Performance and Cognition in Aging Mice

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1415
Author(s):  
Zoltán Singlár ◽  
Péter Szentesi ◽  
János Fodor ◽  
Ágnes Angyal ◽  
László Csernoch ◽  
...  

Aging and frailty are associated with a decline in muscle force generation, which is a direct consequence of reduced muscle quantity and quality. Among the leading contributors to aging is the generation of reactive oxygen species, the byproducts of terminal oxidation. Their negative effects can be moderated via antioxidant supplementation. Krill oil and astaxanthin (AX) are nutraceuticals with a variety of health promoting, geroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-fatigue effects. In this work, we examined the functional effects of these two nutraceutical agents supplemented via pelleted chow in aging mice by examining in vivo and in vitro skeletal muscle function, along with aspects of intracellular and mitochondrial calcium homeostasis, as well as cognition and spatial memory. AX diet regimen limited weight gain compared to the control group; however, this phenomenon was not accompanied by muscle tissue mass decline. On the other hand, both AX and krill oil supplementation increased force production without altering calcium homeostasis during excitation-contraction coupling mechanism or mitochondrial calcium uptake processes. We also provide evidence of improved spatial memory and learning ability in aging mice because of krill oil supplementation. Taken together, our data favors the application of antioxidant nutraceuticals as geroprotectors to improve cognition and healthy aging by virtue of improved skeletal muscle force production.

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sztretye ◽  
Singlár ◽  
Szabó ◽  
Angyal ◽  
Balogh ◽  
...  

Background: Astaxanthin (AX) a marine carotenoid is a powerful natural antioxidant which protects against oxidative stress and improves muscle performance. Retinol and its derivatives were described to affect lipid and energy metabolism. Up to date, the effects of AX and retinol on excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) in skeletal muscle are poorly described. Methods: 18 C57Bl6 mice were divided into two groups: Control and AX supplemented in rodent chow for 4 weeks (AstaReal A1010). In vivo and in vitro force and intracellular calcium homeostasis was studied. In some experiments acute treatment with retinol was employed. Results: The voltage activation of calcium transients (V50) were investigated in single flexor digitorum brevis isolated fibers under patch clamp and no significant changes were found following AX supplementation. Retinol shifted V50 towards more positive values and decreased the peak F/F0 of the calcium transients. The amplitude of tetani in the extensor digitorum longus was significantly higher in AX than in control group. Lastly, the mitochondrial calcium uptake was found to be less prominent in AX. Conclusion: AX supplementation increases in vitro tetanic force without affecting ECC and exerts a protecting effect on the mitochondria. Retinol treatment has an inhibitory effect on ECC in skeletal muscle.


2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (4) ◽  
pp. R891-R896 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Supinski ◽  
D. Nethery ◽  
T. M. Nosek ◽  
L. A. Callahan ◽  
D. Stofan ◽  
...  

Recent work indicates that endotoxemia elicits severe reductions in skeletal muscle force-generating capacity. The subcellular alterations responsible for these decrements have not, however, been fully characterized. One possibility is that the contractile proteins per se are altered in endotoxemia and another is that the mechanism by which these proteins are activated is affected. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of endotoxin administration on the contractile proteins by examining the maximum calcium-activated force (Fmax) and calcium sensitivity of single Triton-skinned fibers of diaphragm, soleus, and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles taken from control and endotoxin-treated (8 mg/kg) rats. Fibers were mounted on a force transducer and sequentially activated by serial immersion in solutions of increasing Ca2+ concentration (i.e., pCa 6.0 to pCa 5.0); force vs. pCa data were fit to the Hill equation. All fibers were typed at the conclusion of studies using gel electrophoresis. Fmax, the calcium concentration required for half-maximal activation (Ca50), and the Hill coefficient were compared as a function of muscle and fiber type for the control and endotoxin-treated animals. Control group Fmax was similar for diaphragm, soleus, and EDL fibers, i.e., 112.34 ± 2.64, 111.55 ± 3.66, and 104.05 ± 4.33 kPa, respectively. Endotoxin administration reduced the average Fmax for fibers from all three muscles to 80.25 ± 2.30, 72.47 ± 2.97, and 78.32 ± 2.43 kPa, respectively ( P < 0.001 for comparison of each to control). All fiber types in diaphragm, soleus, and EDL muscles manifested similar endotoxin-related reductions in Fmax. The Ca50 and the Hill coefficient for all fiber types and all muscles were unaffected by endotoxin administration. We speculate that these alterations in the intrinsic properties of the contractile proteins represent a major mechanism by which endotoxemia reduces muscle force-generating capacity.


2016 ◽  
Vol 48 ◽  
pp. 897
Author(s):  
Jamie Whitfield ◽  
George J. F. Heigenhauser ◽  
Lawrence L. Spriet ◽  
Graham P. Holloway ◽  
A. Russell Tupling

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document