The chronic effect of quercetin and epigallocatechin gallate based supplementation on exercise performance in mice

Abstract

This study attempted to determine the optimal dose and combination of quercetin (Q) and epigallocatechin gallate enriched green tea extract (EGCG) required to optimize performance during consecutive days of exercise in mice. C57BL/6J mice (n=176) were randomly assigned to one of five groups: control, 6.25 mg Q/kg and 1.25 mg EGCG/kg (Q/EGCG low), 12.5 mg Q/kg and 2.5 mg EGCG/kg (Q/EGCG mid), 25 mg Q/kg and 5 mg EGCG/kg (Q/EGCG high), and 25 mg Q/kg (Q). Mice were supplemented for 3, 7, and 14 days (n=12 animals per group). For the last three days of the dosing cycle mice were run on a treadmill at 14m/min for up to 2.5 hours. Total run time over the three‐day period of exercise only differed between groups after 14 day supplementation (F=2.48, P=0.043), with significant differences between the control group and Q/EGCG low and mid. In conclusion, 14 day chronic ingestion of quercetin in combination with EGCG at mid and low relative concentrations was required to improve performance time in exercising mice.