The Effect of Hot Water Extract of Tilapia on Exercise Capacity in Mice

Hui-Yun Tsai,Yu-Kuo Chen,Hua-Han Chen,Jue-Liang Hsu,Yu-Jie Zhao,Jia-Fang Yang,Yi-Hsien Lin,Fu-Nian You,Chi-I Chang

doi:10.3390/app12052601

Abstract

Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) has become one of the main aquatic products of Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a hot water extract of tilapia (HWET) in relieving fatigue and enhancing exercise performance in mice in a swimming endurance test. Male ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group) and treated with either a vehicle (control group) or different doses of HWET, which were designated as HWET-L (800 mg/kg/day), HWET-M (1600 mg/kg/day), and HWET-H (4000 mg/kg/day). The results of the swimming endurance test showed that HWET treatment significantly improved exercise-induced fatigue as the swimming time of the mice increased (p < 0.05). One hour after the test, blood samples were collected from each mouse and serum biochemical parameters were measured. The serum levels of lactate, creatine kinase (CK), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were lower in mice treated with HWET compared to the control group. Moreover, HWET treatment increased serum glucose levels and glycogen content in the liver. Enhanced glutathione (GSH) content in the liver and muscle was also found in the HWET-M and HWET-H groups. Western blot results showed that the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the liver tissue was downregulated by HWET treatment. Taken together, our results demonstrate that HWET supplementation could enhance exercise performance and alleviate fatigue via biochemical profile improvements. This suggests that HWET has the potential for future development into functional foods or nutritional supplements to relieve fatigue.

Highlights

Oxidative stress activates the inflammatory response via enhanced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factorα (TNF-α) [10] and causes the depletion of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) [11]
We further investigate the effects of a hot water extract of tilapia (HWET)
As there was no significant difference in initial body weight, final body weight, or food intake among the control or HWET treatment groups (p > 0.05), the general condition of all mice was assumed to be normal at the beginning of the experiment

Summary

Introduction

A common term describing a gradual decline in energy and activity, is a highly exhausted feeling that can lead to a variety of physical and emotional discomforts, such as reduced concentration, slowed reflexes and responses, or feeling abnormally sleepy [1,2].Fatigue has become an important global issue since it affects approximately 20% of the population in several developed countries [3]. Forms of physical fatigue can be classified as either central or peripheral [4,5]. The former occurs in the central nervous system, and relates to key components in muscle that increase during exercise, such as hydrogen ions, potassium ions, phosphates, prostaglandins, etc. These components bind to specific fatigue receptors in the muscle, transmit signals to the brain through the sensory nerves [6]. Peripheral fatigue is mainly caused by the depletion of energy stores (e.g., glycogen or phosphocreatine in the liver and muscles) and the accumulation of excess metabolites during physical activity (e.g., lactate in muscle) [8]. Oxidative stress activates the inflammatory response via enhanced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factorα (TNF-α) [10] and causes the depletion of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) [11]

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Conclusion