Effects of Oral Resveratrol Supplementation on Glycogen Replenishment and Mitochondria Biogenesis in Exercised Human Skeletal Muscle

Oral post-exercise garlic extract supplementation enhances glycogen replenishment but does not up-regulate mitochondria biogenesis mRNA expression in human-exercised skeletal muscle

PURPOSE

Garlic extract (GA) is purported to enhance antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and glucose regulation in humans. The present study investigated the effects of post-exercise GA supplementation on GLUT4 expression, glycogen replenishment, and the transcript factors involved with mitochondrial biosynthesis in exercised human skeletal muscle.

METHODS

The single-blinded crossover counterbalanced study was completed by 12 participants. Participants were randomly divided into either GA (2000 mg of GA) or placebo trials immediately after completing a single bout of cycling exercise at 75% Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) for 60 minutes. Participants consumed either GA (2000 mg) or placebo capsules with a high glycemic index carbohydrate meal (2 g carb/body weight) immediately after exercise. Muscle samples were collected at 0-h and 3-h post-exercise. Muscle samples were used to measure glycogen levels, GLUT4 protein expression, as well as transcription factors for glucose uptake, and mitochondria biogenesis. Plasma glucose, insulin, glycerol, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations, and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were also analyzed during the post-exercise recovery periods.

RESULTS

Skeletal muscle glycogen replenishment was significantly elevated during the 3-h recovery period for GA concurrent with no difference in GLUT4 protein expression between the garlic and placebo trials. PGC1-α gene expression was up-regulated for both GA and placebo after exercise (p < 0.05). Transcript factors corresponding to muscle mitochondrial biosynthesis were significantly enhanced under acute garlic supplementation as demonstrated by TFAM and FIS1. However, the gene expression of SIRT1, ERRα, NFR1, NFR2, MFN1, MFN2, OPA1, Beclin-1, DRP1 were not enhanced, nor were there any improvements in GLUT4 expression, following post-exercise garlic supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Acute post-exercise garlic supplementation may improve the replenishment of muscle glycogen, but this appears to be unrelated to the gene expression for glucose uptake and mitochondrial biosynthesis in exercised human skeletal muscle.

Mitochondrial Adaptation in Skeletal Muscle: Impact of Obesity, Caloric Restriction, and Dietary Compounds

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The global obesity epidemic has become a major public health concern, necessitating comprehensive research into its adverse effects on various tissues within the human body. Among these tissues, skeletal muscle has gained attention due to its susceptibility to obesity-related alterations. Mitochondria are primary source of energy production in the skeletal muscle. Healthy skeletal muscle maintains constant mitochondrial content through continuous cycle of synthesis and degradation. However, obesity has been shown to disrupt this intricate balance. This review summarizes recent findings on the impact of obesity on skeletal muscle mitochondria structure and function. In addition, we summarize the molecular mechanism of mitochondrial quality control systems and how obesity impacts these systems. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent findings show various interventions aimed at mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction in obese model, encompassing strategies including caloric restriction and various dietary compounds. Obesity has deleterious effect on skeletal muscle mitochondria by disrupting mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics. Caloric restriction, omega-3 fatty acids, resveratrol, and other dietary compounds enhance mitochondrial function and present promising therapeutic opportunities.

Resveratrol for the Management of Human Health: How Far Have We Come? A Systematic Review of Resveratrol Clinical Trials to Highlight Gaps and Opportunities

Resveratrol has long been proposed as being beneficial to human health across multiple morbidities, yet there is currently no conclusive clinical evidence to advocate its recommendation in any healthcare setting. A large cohort with high-quality clinical data and clearly defined biomarkers or endpoints are required to draw meaningful conclusions. This systematic review compiles every clinical trial conducted using a defined dose of resveratrol in a purified form across multiple morbidities to highlight the current 'state-of-play' and knowledge gaps, informing future trial designs to facilitate the realisation of resveratrol's potential benefits to human health. Over the last 20 years, there have been almost 200 studies evaluating resveratrol across at least 24 indications, including cancer, menopause symptoms, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. There are currently no consensus treatment regimens for any given condition or endpoint, beyond the fact that resveratrol is generally well-tolerated at a dose of up to 1 g/day. Additionally, resveratrol consistently reduces inflammatory markers and improves aspects of a dysregulated metabolism. In conclusion, over the last 20 years, the increasing weight of clinical evidence suggests resveratrol can benefit human health, but more large, high-quality clinical trials are required to transition this intriguing compound from health food shops to the clinic.

Resveratrol and Gut Microbiota Synergy: Preventive and Therapeutic Effects

The role of an imbalanced high-fat diet in the pathophysiology of common chronic noncommunicable diseases has been known for years. More recently, the concept of 'gut microbiota' and the interaction between their composition and gut metabolites produced from the intake of dietary products have gained the focus of researchers, mostly from the perspective of the prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, which are still the leading cause of death globally. The aim of this work is to highlight the health benefits of the interaction between resveratrol (RSV), red grape polyphenol, and gut microbiota, through aspects of their therapeutic and preventive potentials. Since changed microbiota (mostly as a consequence of antibiotic overuse) contribute to the persistence of post ('long')-COVID-19 symptoms, these aspects will be covered too. Data were obtained from the electronic databases (MedLine/PubMed), according to specific keywords regarding the protective role of resveratrol, the gut microbiota, and their synergy. RSV exerts beneficial properties in the modulation of cardiovascular, metabolic, and post-COVID-19-related disorders. In healthy individuals, it maintains an ergogenic capacity, prevents oxidative stress, and modulates the inflammatory response. Overall, it improves quality of life. The RSV-gut-microbiota interaction is beneficial in terms of maintaining human health. Along with physical activity, it is key for the prevention of chronic noncommunicable diseases.

Resveratrol, a Multitasking Molecule That Improves Skeletal Muscle Health

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol utilized in Chinese traditional medicine and thought to be one of the determinants of the "French Paradox". More recently, some groups evidenced its properties as a calorie-restriction mimetic, suggesting that its action passes through the modulation of skeletal muscle metabolism. Accordingly, the number of studies reporting the beneficial effects of resveratrol on skeletal muscle form and function, in both experimental models and humans, is steadily increasing. Although studies on animal models confer to resveratrol a good potential to ameliorate skeletal muscle structure, function and performance, clinical trials still do not provide clear-cut information. Here, we first summarize the effects of resveratrol on the distinct components of the skeletal muscle, such as myofibers, the neuromuscular junction, tendons, connective sheaths and the capillary bed. Second, we review clinical trials focused on the analysis of skeletal muscle parameters. We suggest that the heterogeneity in the response to resveratrol in humans could depend on sample characteristics, treatment modalities and parameters analyzed; as well, this heterogeneity could possibly reside in the complexity of skeletal muscle physiology. A systematic programming of treatment protocols and analyses could be helpful to obtain consistent results in clinical trials involving resveratrol administration.

Antioxidants and Sports Performance

The role of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant response in training adaptations and sports performance has been a large issue investigated in the last few years. The present review aims to analyze the role of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant response in sports performance. For this aim, the production of reactive oxygen species in physical activities, the effect of reactive oxygen species on sports performance, the relationship between reactive oxygen species and training adaptations, inflammation, and the microbiota, the effect of antioxidants on recovery and sports performance, and strategies to use antioxidants supplementations will be discussed. Finally, practical applications derived from this information are discussed. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during physical activity greatly influences sports performance. This review concludes that ROS play a critical role in the processes of training adaptation induced by resistance training through a reduction in inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress, as well as appropriate molecular signaling. Additionally, it has been established that micronutrients play an important role in counteracting free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species, which cause oxidative stress, and the effects of antioxidants on recovery, sports performance, and strategies for using antioxidant supplements, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol, coenzyme Q10, selenium, and curcumin to enhance physical and mental well-being.

Effects of Resveratrol on Muscle Inflammation, Energy Utilisation, and Exercise Performance in an Eccentric Contraction Exercise Mouse Model

Eccentric contraction can easily cause muscle damage and an inflammatory response, which reduces the efficiency of muscle contraction. Resveratrol causes anti-inflammatory effects in muscles, accelerates muscle repair, and promotes exercise performance after contusion recovery. However, whether resveratrol provides the same benefits for sports injuries caused by eccentric contraction is unknown. Thus, we explored the effects of resveratrol on inflammation and energy metabolism. In this study, mice were divided into four groups: a control group, an exercise group (EX), an exercise with low-dose resveratrol group (EX + RES25), and an exercise with high-dose resveratrol group (EX + RES150). The results of an exhaustion test showed that the time before exhaustion of the EX + RES150 group was greater than that of the EX group. Tumour necrosis factor-α (Tnfα) mRNA expression was lower in the EX + RES150 group than in the EX group. The energy utilisation of the EX + RES150 group was greater than that of the EX + RES25 group in different muscles. High-dose resveratrol intervention decreased Tnfα mRNA expression and enhanced the mRNA expressions of sirtuin 1, glucose transporter 4, AMP-activated protein kinase α1, and AMP-activated protein kinase α2 in muscles. These results revealed that high-dose resveratrol supplementation can reduce inflammation and oxidation and improve energy utilisation during short-duration high-intensity exercise.

Protocol of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effect of probiotics on the gut microbiome of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease treated with rabeprazole

Background

For patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms, the preferred treatment is proton pump inhibitor (PPI) administration for approximately 8 weeks. However, long-term use of PPIs can cause gut microbiome (GM) disturbances. This study is designed to evaluate the effect of probiotics combined with a PPI on the GM and gastrointestinal symptoms of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Method

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 120 eligible patients with GERD will be randomized into the experimental group or the control group. The treatment includes two phases: the initial treatment period lasts 8 weeks (weeks 1–8), and the maintenance treatment period lasts 4 weeks (weeks 9–12). During the initial treatment period, the experimental group will take rabeprazole and LiHuo probiotics, and the control group will take rabeprazole and a probiotic placebo; during the maintenance treatment period, the experimental group will take LiHuo probiotics, and the control group will take a probiotic placebo. The primary measure is the change in the GM. The secondary measures are the Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) score, Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) score, faecal metabolome (FM), body mass index, Los Angeles grade of oesophagitis, adverse event (AE) rate and treatment compliance. Each outcome indicator will be assessed at day 0 (before administration), day 28 and/or 56 (during administration), and day 84 (end of administration) to reveal intragroup differences. AEs will be monitored to assess the safety of LiHuo probiotics.

Discussion

This will be the first trial to use the intestinal flora metagene method to analyse the effects of probiotics on patients with GERD receiving long-term PPI treatment. The goal is to provide evidence for the use of probiotics to reduce intestinal flora disorders and other symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort in patients with GERD who have used PPIs for a long period.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) (NO. ChiCTR2000038409). Registered on November 22, 2020, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=56358.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-022-02320-y.

Natural products: Potential therapeutic agents to prevent skeletal muscle atrophy

The skeletal muscle (SkM) is the largest organ, which plays a vital role in controlling musculature, locomotion, body heat regulation, physical strength, and metabolism of the body. A sedentary lifestyle, aging, cachexia, denervation, immobilization, etc. Can lead to an imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation, which is further responsible for SkM atrophy (SmA). To date, the understanding of the mechanism of SkM mass loss is limited which also restricted the number of drugs to treat SmA. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop novel approaches to regulate muscle homeostasis. Presently, some natural products attained immense attraction to regulate SkM homeostasis. The natural products, i.e., polyphenols (resveratrol, curcumin), terpenoids (ursolic acid, tanshinone IIA, celastrol), flavonoids, alkaloids (tomatidine, magnoflorine), vitamin D, etc. exhibit strong potential against SmA. Some of these natural products have been reported to have equivalent potential to standard treatments to prevent body lean mass loss. Indeed, owing to the large complexity, diversity, and slow absorption rate of bioactive compounds made their usage quite challenging. Moreover, the use of natural products is controversial due to their partially known or elusive mechanism of action. Therefore, the present review summarizes various experimental and clinical evidence of some important bioactive compounds that shall help in the development of novel strategies to counteract SmA elicited by various causes.

Short-Term Oral Quercetin Supplementation Improves Post-exercise Insulin Sensitivity, Antioxidant Capacity and Enhances Subsequent Cycling Time to Exhaustion in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study

Aim

Quercetin has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties on health promotion in human studies. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term oral quercetin supplementation on post-exercise whole-body energy metabolism. This study also aimed to determine the effects of supplementation on oxygen stress, inflammation, muscle damage, and high-intensity cycling exercise performance.

Method

Twelve healthy participants, physically active students, were recruited to perform a randomized, single-blind crossover study. All subjects completed 7-days of quercetin (quercetin:1,000 mg per day for 7-days) and placebo supplementation in a randomized order. Supplement/placebo was combined with exercise consisting of 70% V̇O_2max cycling for 60-min, followed by 3-h of recovery, then a subsequent single bout of cycling exercise with 75% V̇O_2max to exhaustion. Time to exhaustion, indicators of muscle damage, as well as blood and gaseous parameters relating to energy metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, respectively, were determined.

Results

The results showed that 7-day quercetin supplementation significantly attenuated the post-exercise glucose-induced insulin response, increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activities, and mitigated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels during the recovery period (p < 0.05). While subsequent 75% V̇O_2max cycling performance was significantly improved after quercetin treatment and accompanied by lower responses of interleukin 6 and creatine kinase at 24-h. However, it’s noted that there were no significant responses in glucose, respiratory exchange rate, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), myoglobin, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein between quercetin and placebo trials.

Conclusion

Our findings concluded that 7-day oral quercetin supplementation enhances high-intensity cycling time to exhaustion, which may be due in part to the increase in whole-body insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and attenuation of exercise-induced oxygen stress and pro-inflammation. Therefore, quercetin may be considered an effective ergogenic aid for enhancing high-intensity cycling performance among young adults.

Oral Resveratrol supplementation attenuates exercise-induced Interleukin-6 but not Oxidative Stress after a high intensity cycling challenge in adults

Previous studies demonstrated that resveratrol (RES) is able to enhance antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and insulin actions in humans. It is unclear whether RES can be used as ergogenic aids to enhance high-intensity cycling exercise performance and attenuate the high-intensity exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. This study investigated the effect of RES supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation, exercise-induced fatigue, and endurance performance. Eight male athletes participated in this single-blind crossover designed study and randomly instructed to receive four days of either oral RES (480 mg per day, totally 1920mg) or placebo supplementation. The cycling exercise challenge at 80% maximal oxygen consumption with 60 rpm was performed following 4 days of either RES or placebo supplementation. The total cycling performance time was recorded. In addition, blood samples were obtained to analyze the changes in blood glucose, plasma non-esterified fatty acid, serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, uric acid, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6. The exhausting time of cycling exercise challenge was not significantly increased in RES compared to that in placebo. However, IL-6 response was significantly decreased during exercise challenge in RES trial, and there were no differences in blood biomarkers, fatigue factors, and antioxidative response. Oral RES supplementation can attenuate exercise-induced IL-6 response but not fatigue and oxidative stress, inflammation response. However, we infer that 4-day oral RES supplementation has no ergogenic property on enhancing the high-intensity cycling exercise performance.

Astaxanthin-, β-Carotene-, and Resveratrol-Rich Foods Support Resistance Training-Induced Adaptation

Resistance training adaptively increases the muscle strength associated with protein anabolism. Previously, we showed that the combined intake of astaxanthin, β-carotene, and resveratrol can accelerate protein anabolism in the skeletal muscle of mice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of anabolic nutrient-rich foods on muscle adaptation induced by resistance training. Twenty-six healthy men were divided into control and intervention groups. All participants underwent a resistance training program twice a week for 10 weeks. Astaxanthin-, β-carotene-, and resveratrol-rich foods were provided to the intervention group. Body composition, nutrient intake, maximal voluntary contraction of leg extension, oxygen consumption, and serum carbonylated protein level were measured before and after training. The skeletal muscle mass was higher after training than before training in both groups (p < 0.05). Maximal voluntary contraction was increased after training in the intervention group (p < 0.05), but not significantly increased in the control group. Resting oxygen consumption was higher after training in the intervention group only (p < 0.05). As an oxidative stress marker, serum carbonylated protein level tended to be lower immediately after exercise than before exercise in the intervention group only (p = 0.056). Intake of astaxanthin-, β-carotene-, and resveratrol-rich foods supported resistance training-induced strength and metabolic adaptations.