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Improvement in muscular performance and decrease in tumor necrosis factor level in old age after antioxidant

Klaus Hauer1, Wulf Hildebrandt, Yvonne Sehl

  • 1Bethanien Krankenhaus, Geriatrisches Zentrum der Universität Heidelberg, Rohrbacher Strasse 149, 69126, Heidelberg, Germany.

Journal of Molecular Medicine (Berlin, Germany)
|February 26, 2003
PubMed
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N-acetylcysteine supplementation improved muscle strength and function in frail elderly individuals, suggesting cysteine is vital for combating age-related muscle decline and enhancing exercise response.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology and Exercise Physiology
  • Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

  • Aging is associated with muscle function decline, increasing mortality and fall risk.
  • Changes in oxidant/antioxidant balance, including decreased cysteine, accompany aging.
  • Low plasma arginine levels correlate with poor exercise performance in the elderly.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine on the functional capacity of frail geriatric patients.
  • To assess the impact of N-acetylcysteine on exercise response in the elderly.
  • To explore the role of cysteine and arginine in age-related muscle function loss.

Main Methods:

  • Double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving frail geriatric patients.
  • Administration of N-acetylcysteine or placebo.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Assessment of functional capacity, muscle strength (knee extensor), and plasma biomarkers (cysteine, arginine, TNF-alpha, growth hormone, IGF-1).

    • Main Results:

    • N-acetylcysteine significantly enhanced knee extensor strength and overall strength parameters.
    • Placebo group showed weak or decreased functional parameters; 31% declined.
    • N-acetylcysteine reduced plasma TNF-alpha but did not affect growth hormone or IGF-1.
    • Low baseline arginine correlated with poorer exercise performance.

    Conclusions:

    • Cysteine supplementation, via N-acetylcysteine, can improve muscle strength and function in frail elderly individuals.
    • Age-related muscle function loss may stem from limitations in cysteine and other amino acids impacting protein synthesis.
    • Findings support N-acetylcysteine as a potential therapeutic intervention for sarcopenia and functional decline.