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Estrogen Receptor Alpha (ERα) Is Involved in Resveratrol-Mediated Muscle Preservation During Mechanical Unloading in
David Ayi-Bonte1, Samantha Dworacek1, James Madden1
1Department of Nutrition, University of Rhode Island, 41 Lower College Rd, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
Muscles (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 24, 2026
Summary
Resveratrol (RSV) may protect muscles from deconditioning during spaceflight. This study suggests RSV mitigates muscle loss in simulated lunar gravity, with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) signaling being crucial for its benefits.
Area of Science:
- Space medicine
- Nutritional science
- Muscle physiology
Background:
- Human spaceflight to the Moon poses risks of musculoskeletal deconditioning due to reduced gravity.
- Resveratrol (RSV) is a potential nutritional supplement to counteract muscle disuse.
- The efficacy and mechanism of RSV in simulated lunar gravity are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of Resveratrol (RSV) as a countermeasure against muscle deconditioning in a simulated lunar gravity environment.
- To explore the role of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) signaling in mediating the potential benefits of RSV.
Main Methods:
- Forty male Wistar rats were subjected to 14 days of partial weight-bearing (20% of normal loading) simulating lunar gravity.
- Animals received daily RSV supplementation, with some also receiving an ERα antagonist to assess ERα's role.
- Muscle function was assessed longitudinally, and soleus muscle protein signaling was analyzed via Western blot.
Main Results:
- Partial weight-bearing (PWB20) significantly reduced grip strength by 14.2% and altered muscle electrophysiological properties.
- RSV supplementation improved muscle function in PWB20 animals, but this benefit was abolished when ERα was inhibited.
- RSV supplementation increased the ERα phosphorylation ratio compared to PWB20 alone (3.5 vs. 1.91).
Conclusions:
- Resveratrol (RSV) can effectively mitigate muscle deconditioning in a simulated lunar gravity analog.
- Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) signaling is essential for mediating the protective effects of RSV against muscle disuse.
- These findings support RSV as a potential nutritional countermeasure for astronauts.
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