Functional food mixture extricates D-galactose-induced skeletal muscle impairment in rats.

Abstract

Ageing-related muscle atrophy/sarcopenia is the most common type of muscle impairment that affects the quality of life. In the current study, we examined the effect of a functional food mixture of amla, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, and ginger on D-galactose-induced muscle alterations in rats. Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Control (C), D-galactose (G), and D-galactose + functional food mixture intervention (G+I). Rats in group-G and -G+I were injected with D-galactose (300 mg/Kg/day) for 90 days. After three months of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed to collect gastrocnemius muscle. Group-G rats showed elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and NF-kB), atrogenes (Atrogin-1 and MuRF1), decreased insulin/IGF1 signaling (decreased AKT phosphorylation), altered mitochondrial dynamics (increased fission and decreased fusion proteins), increased apoptotic mediators (Bax/Bcl2, and caspase-3) and decreased muscle cell cross-sectional area when compared with group-C (p<0.05). Interestingly, supplementation with the functional food mixture prevented galactose-induced alterations in the muscle. The observed anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing, mitochondria-protective, and antiapoptotic effects of the functional food could be the underlying mechanisms in displaying positive effects against galactose-induced muscle atrophy and, hence, may be useful for the prevention of age-related muscle disorders.