Reduced dietary intake of micronutrients with antioxidant properties negatively impacts muscle health in aged mice

Abstract

BackgroundInadequate intake of micronutrients with antioxidant properties is common among older adults and has been associated with higher risk of frailty, adverse functional outcome, and impaired muscle health. However, a causal relationship is less well known. The aim was to determine in old mice the impact of reduced dietary intake of vitamins A/E/B6/B12/folate, selenium, and zinc on muscle mass, oxidative capacity, strength, and physical activity (PA) over time.MethodsTwenty‐one‐month‐old male mice were fed either AIN‐93‐M (control) or a diet low in micronutrients with antioxidant properties (=LOWOX‐B: 50% of mouse recommended daily intake of vitamins A, E, B6, and B12, folate, selenium, and zinc) for 4 months. Muscle mass, grip strength, physical activity (PA), and general oxidative status were assessed. Moreover, muscle fatigue was measured of m. extensor digitorum longus (EDL) during an ex vivo moderate exercise protocol. Effects on oxidative capacity [succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity], muscle fibre type, number, and fibre cross‐sectional area (fCSA) were assessed on m. plantaris (PL) using histochemistry.ResultsAfter 2 months on the diet, bodyweight of LOWOX‐B mice was lower compared with control (P < 0.0001), mainly due to lower fat mass (P < 0.0001), without significant differences in food intake. After 4 months, oxidative status of LOWOX‐B mice was lower, demonstrated by decreased vitamin E plasma levels (P < 0.05) and increased liver malondialdehyde levels (P = 0.018). PA was lower in LOWOX‐B mice (P < 0.001 vs. control). Muscle mass was not affected, although PL‐fCSA was decreased (~16%; P = 0.028 vs. control). SDH activity and muscle fibre type distribution remained unaffected. In LOWOX‐B mice, EDL force production was decreased by 49.7% at lower stimulation frequencies (P = 0.038), and fatigue resistance was diminished (P = 0.023) compared with control.ConclusionsReduced dietary intake of vitamins A, E, B6, and B12, folate, selenium, and zinc resulted in a lower oxidative capacity and has major impact on muscle health as shown by decreased force production and PA, without effects on muscle mass. The reduced fCSA in combination with similar SDH activity per fibre might explain the reduced oxidative capacity resulting in the increased fatigue after exercise in LOWOX‐B mice.

Additional Effects of Nutritional Antioxidant Supplementation on Peripheral Muscle during Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Antioxidants also physiologically prevent muscle dysfunction and atrophy by buffering ROS [7], lowering systemic inflammation [9], and modulating cell functions [10]. Alpha-tocopherol, zinc, and selenium can protect the muscle against oxidative stress and inflammation in vitro and in vivo [11, 12] and are critical to muscle homeostasis [13]. The combination of antioxidant deficiencies impairs the muscle redox state [13] and has been implicated in aging sarcopenia [14] and inflammatory diseases [15, 16].…”

“…Alpha-tocopherol, zinc, and selenium can protect the muscle against oxidative stress and inflammation in vitro and in vivo [11, 12] and are critical to muscle homeostasis [13]. The combination of antioxidant deficiencies impairs the muscle redox state [13] and has been implicated in aging sarcopenia [14] and inflammatory diseases [15, 16]. Conversely, increasing the antioxidant content through dietary vitamin/trace element supplements [14–17] or regular moderate-intensity training [18] alone or in combination [19] has improved both systemic oxidative stress or inflammation and muscle function.…”

The Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors May Increase Symptoms of Muscle Function Loss in Patients with Chronic Illnesses

“…The adverse effects of long term PPI use can possibly impact the development of muscle mass and function loss [44] and influence the risk of developing cachexia in the presence or absence of obesity [20,45]. The aim of this paper is to elaborate on the possible effects of PPI use on muscle function and mass in individuals prone to loss of muscle mass and function, such as chronically ill patients.…”

“…Vitamin D plays a crucial role in many physiological functions, including bone and muscle metabolism [70]. Associations between low vitamin D levels and muscle metabolism disorders have been reported during aging and disease, leading to loss of muscle mass and function [44]. This effect is potentially mediated by the role of vitamin D in inflammation.…”

Cross-Sectional Associations Between Dietary Antioxidant Vitamins C, E and Carotenoid Intakes and Sarcopenic Indices in Women Aged 18–79 Years

“…There is clear mechanistic relevance of the antioxidant vitamins on skeletal muscle health during aging which also supports our observational findings. Supplementation of lycopene, β-carotene or mixed antioxidant vitamins in animal experiments either had positive effects on muscle force or physical activity or attenuated oxidative stress or loss of skeletal muscle [41]. Vitamin E also had protective effects on exercise-induced oxidative damage in both young and older adults [7], and vitamin C had protective effects on oxidative biomarkers, inflammatory cytokines and CRP [42].…”