(–)-Epicatechin Supplementation Inhibits Aerobic Adaptations to Cycling Exercise in Humans

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine if cycling exercise combined with (–)-epicatechin supplementation was more effective at increasing training adaptations than cycling combined with a placebo. Blood and muscle samples were obtained at rest before and after training to determine the effects of (–)-epicatechin supplementation on total serum antioxidant capacity, skeletal muscle mitochondrial protein content, and skeletal muscle myostatin gene expression. Participants (n = 20) completed two testing sessions separated by 4 weeks of cycle training, with supplementation of 100 mg (200 mg total daily) of (–)-epicatechin or a placebo, twice daily. Data were analyzed using a two-way mixed model ANOVA for each variable and the alpha level was set at p ≤ 0.05. A significant increase was observed for time for relative peak anaerobic power (p < 0.01), relative anaerobic capacity (p < 0.01), and fatigue index (p < 0.01). A significant increase was observed for time for absolute peak VO2 (p < 0.01) and peak power output obtained during the peak VO2 test (p < 0.01). A significant interaction between group and time for relative peak VO2 was observed (p = 0.04). Relative peak VO2 significantly increased over time in the placebo group (p < 0.01), but not in the (–)-epicatechin group (p = 0.21). A significant increase was observed for time for total serum antioxidant capacity (p = 0.01). No interaction or main effect of time was observed for myostatin (p > 0.05). Likewise, no interaction or main effect of time was observed for cytochrome C or citrate synthase (p > 0.05). A significant interaction effect was observed for succinate dehydrogenase (SDH; p = 0.02). SDH content increased significantly for the placebo group (p = 0.03, partial η2 = 0.59), but not for the (–)-epicatechin group (p = 0.81). Further, whereas no difference existed between the groups for SDH at baseline (p = 0.23), SDH content was significantly greater in the placebo group at the post time point (p = 0.01). Results indicate that (–)-epicatechin supplementation does not affect myostatin gene expression or anaerobic training adaptations but inhibits aerobic and mitochondrial SDH adaptations to cycle exercise training.

Evaluation of an Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Cocktail Against Human Hypoactivity-Induced Skeletal Muscle Deconditioning

“…Previous cited studies showing signaling pathways disturbance using antioxidants were done with direct RONS scavengers (Vitamin C and E) with relative high doses. Similar results have been recently obtained during aerobic adaptations to cycling training in humans with epicatechin, a flavonol which can modulate superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and activate antioxidant gene such as PGC-1α (Schwarz et al, 2018).…”

Effects of Dietary Supplements on Adaptations to Endurance Training

“…Supplementation with (-)-epicatechin, a component of cocoa known to activate the SIRT1 pathway [156], impaired training adaptations during four weeks of cycling training; increases in VO2peak (+22.6%) and succinate dehydrogenase activity (+59.1%) were seen in the placebo but not the supplement group, although no differences in peak power or CS activity were observed between groups [157] (Table 4). In contrast, mice undergoing treadmill training had greater increases in time to exhaustion, CS levels, and protein levels of PGC-1β and TFAM with (−)−epicatechin supplementation compared with exercise-only [158].…”

Isolation of Catechins from Roscoea purpurea

“…12-14 Epigallocatechin and Epicatechin also plays crucial role in treatment of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus and carcinoma (hepatocellular). 15 Epicatechin is radio protective, especially used in patients undergoing radiotherapy. 15,16 Therefore the isolated compounds from root extract of Roscoea purpurea plant possess considerable beneficial therapeutic potential.…”