Effect of curcumin supplementation on physiological fatigue and physical performance in mice.

Wen-Ching Huang,Wan-Chun Chiu,Li Wei,Chi-Chang Huang,Deh-Wei Tang,Zon-Min Lee,Hsiao-Li Chuang,Fu-An Chen

doi:10.3390/nu7020905

Abstract

Curcumin (CCM) is a well-known phytocompound and food component found in the spice turmeric and has multifunctional bioactivities. However, few studies have examined its effects on exercise performance and physical fatigue. We aimed to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of CCM supplementation on fatigue and ergogenic function following physical challenge in mice. Male ICR mice were divided into four groups to receive vehicle or CCM (180 μg/mL) by oral gavage at 0, 12.3, 24.6, or 61.5 mL/kg/day for four weeks. Exercise performance and anti-fatigue function were evaluated after physical challenge by forelimb grip strength, exhaustive swimming time, and levels of physical fatigue-associated biomarkers serum lactate, ammonia, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and glucose and tissue damage markers such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and creatine kinase (CK). CCM supplementation dose-dependently increased grip strength and endurance performance and significantly decreased lactate, ammonia, BUN, AST, ALT, and CK levels after physical challenge. Muscular glycogen content, an important energy source for exercise, was significantly increased. CCM supplementation had few subchronic toxic effects. CCM supplementation may have a wide spectrum of bioactivities for promoting health, improving exercise performance and preventing fatigue.

Highlights

The sensation of fatigue normally results from exertion beyond one’s normal ability
The mouse CCM dose (12.3 mL/kg) we used was converted from a human equivalent dose (HED) based on body surface area by the following formula from the US Food and Drug Administration: assuming a human weight of 60 kg, the HED for 60/60 = 1 × 12.3 = a mouse dose of 12.3 mL/kg; the conversion coefficient 12.3 was used to account for differences in body surface area between mice and humans as we described previously [26]
Grip strength dose-dependently increased with CCM supplementation on trend analysis (p < 0.0001)

Summary

Introduction

The sensation of fatigue normally results from exertion beyond one’s normal ability. Fatigue is defined as an exercise induced inability to perform the expected or desired work output. Fatigue is characterized by three major aspects, according to physiological, psychological and disease theories [1]. Physiological fatigue results from excessive physical loading, inadequate rest, or mental strain/pressure and is further classified as central and peripheral fatigue [2]. Central fatigue could be caused or mediated by altered levels of histamine, 5-HT (serotonin), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), related neurotransmitter pathways, hormones, and exercise-induced cytokines [3,4]. Peripheral fatigue may involve the neuromuscular junction, excitation-contraction coupling process, and activation of the contractile elements involving power generation. Contractile force could decrease with interruption in any of these processes [5]

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