Ginsenoside Rg1 enhances stem cell abundance in aging human skeletal muscle after resistance exercise

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Muscle Physiology
• Stem Cell Biology

Background:

• Aging skeletal muscle exhibits reduced regenerative capacity and mitochondrial content.
• Ginsenoside Rg1 is a compound with potential therapeutic benefits for age-related muscle decline.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 on stem cell enrichment and differentiation in skeletal muscle of older women after resistance exercise.
• To assess the impact of Rg1 on mitochondrial content and progenitor cell populations post-exercise.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial was conducted with 11 women aged 60-73 years.
• Participants performed resistance exercise (seated leg press) 1 hour after ingesting either Placebo or 10 mg of Rg1.
• Muscle biopsies were analyzed for activated mesenchymal stem cells (Stro-1+/Tom20high), neural progenitors (Nestin+), and vascular progenitors (CD34+/CD31+) pre- and post-exercise.

Main Results:

• Rg1 supplementation doubled high mitochondrial Stro-1+ cells and total mitochondrial content post-exercise, unlike exercise alone.
• Rg1 attenuated exercise-induced depletion of CD34+ cells and increased Nestin+ neural progenitors twofold.
• Exercise decreased serum estradiol, while Rg1 restored estradiol and increased progesterone levels.

Conclusions:

• Ginsenoside Rg1 supplementation enhances stem cell abundance and mitochondrial content in skeletal muscle following resistance exercise in women over 60.
• Rg1 prevents exercise-induced sex steroid depletion, contributing to improved muscle adaptations.
• These findings suggest Rg1 as a potential adjunct therapy to enhance exercise benefits for muscle health in older adults.