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Published on: December 18, 2013
Modulation of Stress and Anabolic Signalling Pathways by Whey Protein Isolate in C2C12 Cells Under Exercise-Mimetic
Simone Mulè1, Rebecca Galla2, Matteo Musu1
1Department for Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, University of Piemonte Orientale Piazza Sant'Eusebio 5, 13100 Vercelli, Italy.
Biomedicines
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Whey protein isolate (WPI) may help muscle cells recover from stress by reducing inflammation and restoring energy. Post-exposure WPI treatment showed greater benefits in this in vitro study.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology and biochemistry
- Muscle physiology and adaptation
- Nutritional science and supplementation
Background:
- Skeletal muscle adapts to metabolic stress via coordinated inflammatory, bioenergetic, and anabolic signaling.
- Understanding modulators of cellular stress response is crucial for muscle health and recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whey protein isolate (WPI) as a modulator of cellular responses to exercise-mimetic stress.
- To assess WPI's effects on inflammatory, bioenergetic, and anabolic pathways in vitro.
Main Methods:
- Murine C2C12 cells exposed to an Exercise-Mimetic Mix (ExM) to simulate muscle stress.
- Cells treated with WPI using pre- and post-exposure protocols.
- Assessed cell viability, ROS, cytokines, signaling pathways (MAPK, AMPK, mTOR), bioenergetics (ATP, glycogen), protein synthesis, and ion fluxes.
Main Results:
- ExM induced oxidative stress, inflammation, impaired bioenergetics, and reduced anabolic signaling.
- WPI mitigated ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines, restored ATP/glycogen, and modulated ERK/mTOR signaling.
- Post-exposure WPI treatment showed greater effects, normalizing ion fluxes; findings are associative.
Conclusions:
- WPI associated with modulating key pathways in cellular adaptation to metabolic stress.
- WPI supports recovery of bioenergetic balance and anabolic signaling in C2C12 cells.
- Further studies needed to confirm translational relevance of WPI's effects on muscle cells.
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