Abstract
The potent anti-inflammatory activities and tissue-protective effects of freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminea) have been well reported. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of freshwater clam extract (FCE) supplementation on time to exhaustion, muscle damage, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and liver injury in rats after exhaustive exercise. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups: sedentary control (SC); SC group with FCE supplementation (SC+FCE); exhaustive exercise (E); and E group with FCE supplementation (E+FCE). The SC+FCE and E+FCE groups were treated with gavage administration of 20 mg/kg for seven consecutive days. Blood samples were collected for the evaluation of biochemical parameters. The cytokine levels of TNF-α and IL-10 were also examined. Twenty-four hours after exhaustive exercise, the rat livers were removed for H & E staining. The FCE supplementation could extend the time to exhaustion in exercised rats. The levels of CPK, LDH, AST, ALT, lactate, TNF-α and H & E stains of the liver injury were significantly decreased in the E+FCE group, but the blood glucose and IL-10 were significantly higher in comparison with the E group. This study suggests that FCE supplementation may improve endurance performance and reduce exercise-induced muscle damage, inflammatory stress and liver injury.
Highlights
Freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminea) are a widely consumed shellfish in Asia
The initial body weights for the rats in the sedentary control (SC), SC+freshwater clam extract (FCE), E, and E group with FCE supplementation (E+FCE) groups were 281.67 ± 4.01, 287.50 ± 5.74, 284.17 ± 5.07, and 286.67 ± 2.47 grams, respectively
20 mg/kg/day FCE administration, the body weight gains in the SC+FCE and E+FCE groups were significantly increased compared to the control group (p < 0.05, Table 1)
Summary
Freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminea) are a widely consumed shellfish in Asia. A number of in vitro and in vivo studies have found that freshwater clams possess many medical and biological effects, including cholesterol-lowering [1], hepatoprotective [2], and anti-tumorigenic properties [3]. Current evidence demonstrates that freshwater clams have potent anti-inflammatory activities, which was illustrated in a variety of inflammation model systems. A previous study reported that freshwater clam extract (FCE) decreased the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and excessive inflammation in CCl4-induced hepatitis in rats [2]. The administration of 20 mg/kg freshwater clam extract could be used to reduce the plasma TNF-α and decrease the levels of AST, ALT and LDH in conscious rats after hemorrhagic shock [5]
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