Role and Mechanism of Theaflavins in Regulating Skeletal Muscle Inflammation

Abstract

Persistent inflammatory infiltration of skeletal muscle is a principal trigger for the loss of muscle mass and strength. Theaflavins, the main functional components of black tea, have effects on muscle health, but their biological effects on skeletal muscle inflammation are unclear. We constructed in vitro and in vivo models of muscle inflammation and found that theaflavins reduced the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway to alleviate muscle inflammation. In addition, TF1 can regulate the metabolic function of skeletal muscle under inflammatory conditions, reduce the content of proinflammatory substances, improve the mechanical properties (stiffness and roughness) of the surface of inflammatory myotubes, and promote the recovery of muscle after an inflammatory injury. In conclusion, theaflavins may serve as a diet-derived anti-inflammatory factor with potential modulatory effects on skeletal muscle metabolism and mechanical properties in an inflammatory environment.

Aged oolong tea alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by modulating the gut microbiota and its metabolites

“…In addition, the total theaflavins were significantly higher in the AOT-10 group than those in the other groups. The significant biological effects of the four theaflavin monomers on inflammation and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis in vivo were also demonstrated by Liu et al (Changwei Liu et al, 2022 ). Polysaccharides and flavonoids have been shown to alleviate colitis by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors and modulating the gut microbiota (F. Huang et al, 2016 ).…”

Theaflavin Ameliorates Streptococcus suis-Induced Infection In Vitro and In Vivo

“…Since TF1 inhibited the expression and activity of Sly, it was easy to explain why the adherence activity of TF1-treated SC19 was decreased. TF1 had anti-inflammatory activity in various models, such as cell, muscle, and brain [ 35 , 36 , 37 ]. A previous study revealed that TF1 reduced the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signalling pathway to alleviate muscle inflammation [ 36 ].…”

“…TF1 had anti-inflammatory activity in various models, such as cell, muscle, and brain [ 35 , 36 , 37 ]. A previous study revealed that TF1 reduced the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signalling pathway to alleviate muscle inflammation [ 36 ]. Lun et al demonstrated that Sly triggered TNF-α production in human monocytes and IL-6 production in pig PAM cells and monocytes [ 38 ].…”

Sarcopenia, a condition shared by various diseases: can we alleviate or delay the progression?

“…Recent evidence demonstrates the beneficial effect of theaflavins even in the presence of inflammatory infiltration in muscle. In fact, Liu et al (2022) performed in vitro and in vivo models of muscle inflammation and claim that theaflavins reduce the expression of inflammatory factors like IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α [58]. Aizawa et al (2017) also studied the beneficial effect of theaflavins on body fat and muscle in healthy individuals in a RCT.…”

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