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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
Tibial Nerve Transection - A Standardized Model for Denervation-induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Mice
Published on: November 3, 2013
The influence of isoflavone for denervation-induced muscle atrophy
Shinpei Tabata1, Miki Aizawa1, Masakazu Kinoshita1
1Research Center for Physical Fitness, Sports and Health, Toyohashi University of Technology, 1-1 Hibarigaoka, Tenpaku-cho, Toyohashi, 441-8580, Japan.
Purpose:
Decrease in activity stress induces skeletal muscle atrophy. A previous study showed that treatment with a high level (20%) of isoflavone inhibits muscle atrophy after short-term denervation (at 4 days) in mice. The present study was designed to elucidate whether the dietary isoflavone aglycone (AglyMax) at a 0.6% prevents denervation-mediated muscle atrophy, based on the modulation of atrogin-1- or apoptosis-dependent signaling.
Methods:
Mice were fed either a normal diet or 0.6% AglyMax diet. One week later, the right sciatic nerve was cut. The wet weight, mean fiber area, amount of atrogin-1 and cleaved caspase-3 proteins, and the percentages of apoptotic nuclei were examined in the gastrocnemius muscle at 14 days after denervation.
Results:
The 0.6% AglyMax diet significantly attenuated denervation-induced decreases in fiber atrophy but not the muscle wet weight. In addition, dietary isoflavone suppressed the denervation-induced apoptosis in spite of there being no significant changes in the amount of cleaved caspase-3 protein. In contrast, the 0.6% AglyMax diet did not significantly modulate the protein expression of atrogin-1 in the denervated muscle of mice.
Conclusions:
The isoflavone aglycone (AglyMax) at a 0.6% significantly would modulate muscle atrophy after denervation in mice, probably due to the decrease in apoptosis-dependent signaling.
Insights
Dietary isoflavone aglycone (AglyMax) at 0.6% attenuated denervation-induced muscle atrophy in mice by reducing apoptosis. This suggests a potential therapeutic role for isoflavones in preventing muscle wasting diseases.
Area of Science:
- Muscle physiology
- Cellular signaling
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Skeletal muscle atrophy results from decreased activity.
- Previous research indicated high-dose isoflavones inhibit short-term denervation-induced atrophy.
- Isoflavones are plant-derived compounds with potential health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if a 0.6% dietary dose of isoflavone aglycone (AglyMax) prevents muscle atrophy after denervation in mice.
- To determine if AglyMax modulates atrogin-1 or apoptosis-dependent signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Mice were fed a normal or 0.6% AglyMax diet for one week.
- Sciatic nerve denervation was performed.
- Gastrocnemius muscle was analyzed for wet weight, fiber area, atrogin-1, cleaved caspase-3, and apoptotic nuclei at 14 days post-denervation.
Main Results:
- The 0.6% AglyMax diet significantly reduced denervation-induced fiber atrophy but not muscle wet weight.
- Dietary isoflavone suppressed apoptosis, despite no significant change in cleaved caspase-3 protein.
- AglyMax did not significantly alter atrogin-1 protein expression in denervated muscle.
Conclusions:
- A 0.6% AglyMax diet significantly mitigates muscle atrophy following denervation in mice.
- This protective effect is likely mediated by a reduction in apoptosis-dependent signaling.
- Isoflavone aglycone shows potential for managing denervation-induced muscle atrophy.
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