Cultured meat technology has rapidly advanced in recent years, offering promising prospects. However, a major challenge in industrializing this process is the procurement and expansion of seed cells, which frequently lose their proliferative potential during in vitro culture. In this study, high-purity bovine muscle stem cells were isolated using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, achieving a pax7 positivity rate of 90%. These cells demonstrated standard proliferation and differentiation capabilities in vitro. However, long-term culture led to decreased proliferation and differentiation capacities, as well as an accumulation of reactive oxygen species. To restore cellular function, we investigated the effects of Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid), a powerful antioxidant. Treatment with 50 μM Trolox effectively reversed the decline in bovine muscle stem cells proliferation, decreased reactive oxygen species levels, and preserved cell stemness during extended culture. These results provide a foundation for muscle seed cells acquisition and preservation, improving their viability and functionality in vitro.
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