Preventive Effects of Antioxidants on Muscle Atrophy Induced by Ischemic Reperfusion

Antioxidant effect of Phyllanthus amarus after moderate-intensity exercise in sedentary males: a randomized crossover (double-blind) study

[Purpose] We aimed to evaluate the effects of Phyllanthus amarus (PA) on oxidative stress and damage, inflammation, and soreness in muscle after a single session of moderate-intensity exercise. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve men randomly participated in 2, three-day phases with a one-week washout period. On the first day, participants consumed two capsules of PA or placebo control (CTL) before 20 min of cycling. They then consumed four capsules on the same day after exercise and six capsules/day for the next two days. Blood samples were obtained before, immediately after exercise and 24 h and 48 h after exercise. The pain tolerance was measured at both legs. [Results] Plasma vitamin C levels in the PA group were higher than those in the CTL group after exercise. At 48 h after exercise, vitamin C levels were higher in the PA group, but those in the CTL group were lower than the pre-exercise levels. However, plasma levels of creatine kinase were increased in both groups after exercise compared with the pre-exercise levels. The neutrophil count was higher immediately after exercise than the pre-exercise levels in the CTL group. [Conclusion] Acute supplementation with PA improves antioxidant status after a single session of moderate-intensity exercise.

Preventive effects of antioxidants and exercise on muscle atrophy induced by ischemic reperfusion

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine whether muscle atrophy induced by ischemic reperfusion injury in rats can be prevented by the administration of antioxidants and exercise. [Subjects] Rats were randomly divided into five groups: non-treated, ischemic, exercise, ascorbic acid and exercise, and tocopherol and exercise. [Methods] The relative weight ratio of the soleus muscle and the length of the soleus muscle fiber cross-section minor axis were used for the evaluation of muscle atrophy. Pain was assessed as the weight-bearing ratio of the ischemic side. A multiple comparison test and the paired t-test were used for the statistical analyses. [Results] Compared with the non-treated group, the relative weight ratios of the soleus muscle and the lengths of the soleus muscle fiber cross-section minor axis significantly decreased in the other groups. Excluding the non-treated group, the relative weight ratios of the soleus muscle were heaviest in the tocopherol and exercise group. Excluding the non-treated group, the lengths of the soleus muscle fiber cross-section minor axis were longest in the tocopherol and exercise group, followed by the ischemic, exercise, and ascorbic acid and exercise groups. The amount of antioxidant substances did not decrease on the weight-bearing ratio of the ischemic side. [Conclusion] In this study, using an experimental rat model, we confirmed that antioxidants and exercise effect muscle atrophy induced by ischemic reperfusion. The results show that muscle regeneration was facilitated by phagocytosis in the tocopherol and exercise group.