Combined Effects of Exercise and Phytoanabolic Extracts in Castrated Male and Female Mice

Abstract

Dry extracts from the Eurasian plants, Ajuga turkestanica, Eurycoma longifolia, and Urtica dioica have been used as anabolic supplements, despite the limited scientific data on these effects. To assess their actions on early sarcopenia signs, male and female castrated mice were supplemented with lyophilized extracts of the three plants, isolated or in association (named TLU), and submitted to resistance exercise. Ovariectomy (OVX) led to body weight increase and non-high-density cholesterol (HDL) cholesterol elevation, which had been restored by exercise plus U. dioica extract, or by exercise and TLU, respectively. Orchiectomy (ORX) caused skeletal muscle weight loss, accompanied by increased adiposity, being the latter parameter reduced by exercise plus E. longifolia or U. dioica extracts. General physical activity was improved by exercise plus herbal extracts in either OVX or ORX animals. Exercise combined with TLU improved resistance to fatigue in OVX animals, though A. turkestanica enhanced the grip strength in ORX mice. E. longifolia or TLU also reduced the ladder climbing time in ORX mice. Resistance exercise plus herbal extracts partly altered gastrocnemius fiber size frequencies in OVX or ORX mice. We provide novel data that tested ergogenic extracts, when combined with resistance exercise, improved early sarcopenia alterations in castrated male and female mice.

Recent Advances in Nutrition for Disease Prevention and Sports Performance Enhancement

“…Xu et al find an association between the plasma levels of oxylipins (i.e., the oxidation products of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6) on the fecal microbiota composition of young adults [1], which can have important implications for metabolic health [2]. Using a mouse model subjected to castration to accelerate sarcopenia features (e.g., loss of muscle mass and function), Martins et al provide preliminary evidence on the effects that some phytoanabolic extracts obtained from Eurasian plants can have, particularly in combination with resistance training, on different indicators such as body composition, physical function, skeletal muscle/adipose tissue histology, and other biochemical indicators (e.g., cytokines, blood cholesterol) [3]. Moreover, Bellini et al assessed the effect of postprandial walking on glycemic responses in healthy adults, finding that a 30-min postprandial brisk walking session improved the glycemic response after meals with different carbohydrate content and macronutrient composition [4].…”