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Dietary apple polyphenols enhance gastrocnemius function in Wistar rats.
Koichi Nakazato1, Hongsun Song, Toshiaki Waga
1Department of Exercise Physiology, Graduate School of Health and Sport Sciences, Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo, Japan. nakazato@nittai.ac.jp
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|June 5, 2007
Summary
Dietary apple polyphenols (APP) significantly enhanced muscle function and reduced adipose tissue in Wistar rats. This suggests APP may improve lipid metabolism for better muscle performance.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Green tea polyphenols are known to improve muscle function in dystrophic mice.
- Apple polyphenols (APP) share structural similarities with tea polyphenols.
- The effects of APP on normal muscle function were previously unexamined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of dietary apple polyphenols (APP) on gastrocnemius muscle function in Wistar rats.
- To determine if APP intake influences muscle performance and fatigue resistance.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats were fed a diet containing 4.8% APP or a control diet for 3 weeks.
- Ankle torques (tetanic and twitch) were measured before and after the treatment period.
- Muscle weights, adipose tissue weight, and mRNA expression related to lipid metabolism were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The APP group exhibited significantly higher isometric torque and improved fatigue resistance compared to the control group.
- Adipose tissue weight was significantly lower in the APP group.
- Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) alpha and delta, key regulators of lipid oxidation, was significantly elevated in the APP group.
Conclusions:
- Dietary apple polyphenols (APP) enhance normal muscle function in Wistar rats.
- APP may improve muscle performance through alterations in lipid metabolism.
- Increased expression of PPARs suggests a role for enhanced lipid oxidation.