Noriyasu Ota

Effects of exercise and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) supplementation on body composition, physical function, and hematological parameters in community-dwelling frail Japanese women: a randomized double blind, placebo-controlled, follow-up trial.

Objective To investigate the combined and separate effects of exercise and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) supplementation on frailty, physical function, physical activity level, and hematological parameters in community-dwelling elderly Japanese women. Methods A total of 131 frail, elderly women over 75 years were randomly assigned to one of four groups: exercise and MFGM supplementation (Ex+MFGM), exercise and placebo (Ex+Plac), MFGM supplementation, or the placebo group. The exercise group attended a 60-minute training program twice a week for three months, and the MFGM group ingested 1g of the MFGM supplement in pill form, daily for 3 months. The primary outcome measure was change in frailty status based on Fried’s frailty phenotype. Secondary outcome measures included body composition, physical function and hematological parameters, and interview survey components assessing lifestyle factors. Participants were followed for 4 months post-intervention. Results Significant group×time interactions were observed for usual walking speed (P = 0.005), timed up & go (P<0.001), and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 / insulin-like growth factor 1 ratio (P = 0.013). The frailty components revealed that weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, and slow walking speed were reversed, but low muscle strength did not significantly changed. Frailty reversal rate was significantly higher in the Ex+MFGM (57.6%) than in the MFGM (28.1%) or placebo (30.3%) groups at post-intervention (χ2 = 8.827, P = 0.032), and at the follow-up was also significantly greater in the Ex+MFGM (45.5%) and Ex+Plac (39.4%) groups compared with the placebo (15.2%) group (χ2 = 8.607, P = 0.035). The exercise+MFGM group had the highest odds ratio (OR) for frailty reversal at post-intervention and follow-up (OR = 3.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13–8.60; and OR = 4.67, 95% CI = 1.45–15.08, respectively). Conclusion This study suggests that interventions including exercise and nutrition can improve frailty status. Statistically significant additive effects of MFGM with exercise could not be confirmed in this population, and further investigation in larger samples is necessary. Trial Registration The Japan Medical Association Clinical Trial Registry (JMACCT)JMA-IIA00069

Tea catechin ingestion combined with habitual exercise suppresses the aging-associated decline in physical performance in senescence-accelerated mice

Catechins, which are abundant in green tea, possess a variety of biologic actions, and their clinical application has been extensively investigated. In this study, we examined the effects of tea catechins and regular exercise on the aging-associated decline in physical performance in senescence-accelerated prone mice (SAMP1) and age-matched senescence-accelerated resistant mice (SAMR1). The endurance capacity of SAMR1 mice, measured as the running time to exhaustion, tended to increase over the 8-wk experimental period, whereas that of SAMP1 mice decreased by 17%. On the other hand, the endurance capacity of SAMP1 mice fed 0.35% (wt/wt) catechins remained at the initial level and was significantly higher than that of SAMP1 mice not fed catechins. In SAMP1 mice fed catechins and given exercise, oxygen consumption was significantly increased, and there was an increase in skeletal muscle fatty acid beta-oxidation. The mRNA levels of mitochondria-related molecules, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1, cytochrome c oxidase-II, III, and IV in skeletal muscle were also higher in SAMP1 mice given both catechins and exercise. Moreover, oxidative stress measured as thiobarbituric reactive substances was lower in SAMP1 groups fed catechins than in the SAMP1 control group. These results suggest that long-term intake of catechins, together with habitual exercise, is beneficial for suppressing the aging-related decline in physical performance and energy metabolism and that these effects are due, at least in part, to improved mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle.

Different contribution of muscle and liver lipid metabolism to endurance capacity and obesity susceptibility of mice

We investigated strain differences in whole body energy metabolism, peripheral lipid metabolism, and energy metabolism-related gene expression and protein levels in BALB/c, C57BL/6J, and A/J mice to evaluate the relationship between endurance capacity, susceptibility to diet-induced obesity, and differences in lipid metabolism in muscle and liver. A high-fat diet significantly increased body weight and fat weight in C57BL/6J mice, but not in BALB/c and A/J mice. The endurance capacity of BALB/c mice was 52% greater than that of C57BL/6J mice and 217% greater than that of A/J mice. The respiratory exchange ratio was lowest in BALB/c mice, higher in C57BL/6J mice, and highest in A/J mice, which inversely correlated with the endurance capacity and fatty acid beta-oxidation activity in the muscle. Plasma lactate levels measured immediately after exercise were lowest in BALB/c mice and highest in A/J mice, although there was no difference under resting conditions, suggesting that carbohydrate breakdown is suppressed by enhanced fat utilization during exercise in BALB/c mice. On the other hand, the body weight increase induced by high-fat feeding was related to a reduced whole body energy expenditure, higher respiratory quotient, and lower fatty acid beta-oxidation activity in the liver. In addition, beta-oxidation activity in the muscle and liver roughly paralleled the mRNA and protein levels of lipid metabolism-related molecules, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, in each tissue. These findings indicate that genetically determined basal muscle and liver lipid metabolism and responsiveness to exercise influence physical performance and obesity susceptibility.

Catechins attenuate eccentric exercise-induced inflammation and loss of force production in muscle in senescence-accelerated mice

Catechins have a great variety of biological actions. We evaluated the potential benefits of catechin ingestion on muscle contractile properties, oxidative stress, and inflammation following downhill running, which is a typical eccentric exercise, in senescence-accelerated prone mice (SAMP). Downhill running (13 m/min for 60 min; 16° decline) induced a greater decrease in the contractile force of soleus muscle and in Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in SAMP1 compared with the senescence-resistant mice (SAMR1). Moreover, compared with SAMR1, SAMP1 showed greater downhill running-induced increases in plasma CPK and LDH activity, malondialdehyde, and carbonylated protein as markers of oxidative stress; and in protein and mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in muscle. SAMP1 exhibited aging-associated vulnerability to oxidative stress and inflammation in muscle induced by downhill running. Long-term (8 wk) catechin ingestion significantly attenuated the downhill running-induced decrease in muscle force and the increased inflammatory mediators in both plasma and gastrocnemius muscle. Furthermore, catechins significantly inhibited the increase in oxidative stress markers immediately after downhill running, accompanied by an increase in glutathione reductase activity. These findings suggest that long-term catechin ingestion attenuates the aging-associated loss of force production, oxidative stress, and inflammation in muscle after exercise.

Tea catechins prevent contractile dysfunction in unloaded murine soleus muscle: A pilot study

OBJECTIVE Extended periods of muscle disuse, physical inactivity, immobilization, and bedrest result in a loss of muscle mass and a decrease in muscle force, which are accompanied by an increase in oxidative stress. We investigated the effects of the intake of green tea catechins on unloading-induced muscle dysfunction in tail-suspended mice. METHODS Ten-week-old male BALB/c mice were fed a purified control diet or a diet containing 0.5% tea catechins for 14 d. Thereafter, the mice were subjected to continuous tail suspension for 10 d. On the final day, muscle mass, contractile force production, antioxidant potential, and carbonylated protein levels were evaluated. RESULTS Hind limb unloading caused a loss of soleus muscle weight and muscle force. Intake of tea catechins significantly inhibited the unloading-induced decrease in force in isolated soleus muscle by 19% compared with the control group, although tea catechins did not affect muscle weight. In addition, intake of tea catechins suppressed the decrease in antioxidant potential and the increase in carbonyl myofibrillar protein. CONCLUSION Ingestion of tea catechins minimized contractile dysfunction in skeletal muscle and muscle atrophy in unloaded muscle. This effect might be partly due to the lower oxidative modification of myofibrillar protein through the antioxidant activity of tea catechins.

Stimulation of Postprandial Fat Utilization in Healthy Humans by Daily Consumption of Chlorogenic Acids

Long-term ingestion of coffee polyphenols (chlorogenic acids, CGAs) reduces body fat in humans and rodents. While CGA supplementation has been shown to increase fat utilization in rodents, evidence in humans is still limited. The present study clarifies the effect of daily CGA consumption on energy metabolism in humans. Eighteen healthy male subjects (36.1 ± 7.4 y of age) participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover, intervention study with two different test beverages. The subjects consumed 185 mL of a test beverage with or without CGAs (329 mg) daily for 4 wk. The energy metabolism was evaluated by using indirect calorimetry before and after the test period during fasting and up to 180 min postprandially. Indirect calorimetry showed that a 4-wk ingestion of the CGA beverage led to a significantly higher postprandial energy expenditure than that of the control beverage. The subjects ingesting the CGA beverage exhibited higher postprandial fat utilization than those consuming the control beverage. The daily CGA consumption therefore increased postprandial fat utilization in healthy humans.

Aging-Associated Changes in Physical Performance and Energy Metabolism in the Senescence-Accelerated Mouse

The aim of the study was to clarify the aging-associated changes in physical performance and energy metabolism in senescence-accelerated prone mouse (SAMP1). The endurance of aged SAMP1 was significantly lower by 28% than the age-matched senescence-resistant mouse (SAMR1). Oxygen consumption and fat oxidation in aged SAMP1 were lower by 19% and 22%, respectively. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1β and medium-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase messenger RNA expression was significantly lower in aged SAMP1. Aged SAMP1 exhibited higher plasma glucose, insulin, leptin, and lower adiponectin concentrations. Aged SAMP1 also had higher malondialdehyde levels in plasma and tissues and lower peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ messenger RNA and protein levels in adipose tissue. These results indicate that physical performance and energy expenditure decrease earlier with aging in SAMP1, accompanied by decreased fatty acid catabolism in muscle and liver and increased inflammation and oxidative stress in adipose tissue. SAMP1 could thus be a useful accelerated functional depression model for studying physical performance and energy metabolism.

Dietary milk fat globule membrane improves endurance capacity in mice

Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) comprises carbohydrates, membrane-specific proteins, glycoproteins, phospholipids, and sphingolipids. We evaluated the effects of MFGM consumption over a 12-wk period on endurance capacity and energy metabolism in BALB/c mice. Long-term MFGM intake combined with regular exercise improved endurance capacity, as evidenced by swimming time until fatigue, in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of dietary MFGM plus exercise was accompanied by higher oxygen consumption and lower respiratory quotient, as determined by indirect calorimetry. MFGM intake combined with exercise increased plasma levels of free fatty acids after swimming. After chronic intake of MFGM combined with exercise, the triglyceride content in the gastrocnemius muscle increased significantly. Mice given MFGM combined with exercise had higher mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (Pgc1α) and CPT-1b in the soleus muscle at rest, suggesting that increased lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle contributes, in part, to improved endurance capacity. MFGM treatment with cyclic equibiaxial stretch consisting of 10% elongation at 0.5 Hz with 1 h on and 5 h off increased the Pgc1α mRNA expression of differentiating C2C12 myoblasts in a dose-dependent manner. Supplementation with sphingomyelin increased endurance capacity in mice and Pgc1α mRNA expression in the soleus muscle in vivo and in differentiating myoblasts in vitro. These results indicate that dietary MFGM combined with exercise improves endurance performance via increased lipid metabolism and that sphingomyelin may be one of the components responsible for the beneficial effects of dietary MFGM.

Catechins suppress muscle inflammation and hasten performance recovery after exercise.

INTRODUCTION Catechins, abundant in green tea, exhibit many biological actions for potential clinical applications. Our purpose was to explore the potential benefits of catechin ingestion on recovery of physical performance after downhill running. METHODS Institute of Cancer Research mice were used to examine the effects of prior catechin ingestion (0.5% w/w in diet for 3 wk) on 1) wheel-running activity, 2) running endurance, 3) muscle force, and 4) muscle oxidative stress and inflammation after downhill running (16 m·min for 5 min, 18 m·min for 5 min, 20 m·min for 10 min, and 22 m·min for 130 min). RESULTS Voluntary wheel-running activity and the contractile force of the isolated soleus muscle decreased (P < 0.05) after downhill running. Notably, catechin ingestion significantly alleviated the running-induced decrease in voluntary wheel-running activity by 35%; the catechin-treated mice maintained endurance running capacity (214 ± 9 vs 189 ± 10 min, P < 0.05). Furthermore, catechins alleviated (P < 0.05) the decrease in tetanic force evident in the soleus muscle after downhill running. Catechins suppressed the running-induced increases in plasma creatine phosphokinase levels by 52%; this was also true of the carbonylated protein content of the soleus muscle by 17% (P < 0.05), malondialdehyde levels by 32% in the gastrocnemius muscle, and myeloperoxidase activity of the gastrocnemius by 22% (P < 0.05). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the gastrocnemius muscle were significantly lower (P < 0.05) by 33%, 29%, and 35%, respectively, in treated mice; the expression levels of mRNAs encoding these fell in parallel. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that long-term intake of catechins, perhaps through their antioxidant properties, attenuates downhill running-induced muscle damage by suppressing muscle oxidative stress and inflammation, hastening recovery of physical performance in mice.

Effects of Nutritional Supplementation with Milk Fat Globule Membrane on Physical and Muscle Function in Healthy Adults Aged 60 and Over with Semiweekly Light Exercise : A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial

This study aimed to demonstrate the beneficial effects of nutritional supplementation with dietary milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) on physical performance and skeletal muscle function in healthy adults aged 60 and over with semiweekly light exercise. The study was designed as a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Twenty-two Japanese participants (10 men, 12 women) aged 60-73 y were assigned to one of two groups (11 [5 men, 6 women] in each). One group received MFGM tablets (1 g MFGM/d), and the other received placebo tablets daily for 10 wk. Both groups participated in a twice-weekly light exercise program. Physical function tests and surface electromyography (EMG) were conducted at the baseline and after 5 and 10 wk. Chair stand time significantly shortened in both groups after 10 wk compared with that at the baseline. The average time shortened more considerably in the MFGM group than in the placebo group, although the change was not statistically significant. Both knee extension strength and the cross-sectional area of the quadriceps muscles significantly increased from baseline in the MFGM group but not in the placebo group. Surface EMG showed that muscle fiber conduction velocity increased significantly after 10 wk from the baseline only in the MFGM group. The increase from the baseline was significantly greater in the MFGM group than in the placebo group. Daily supplementation with MFGM increased motor unit action potential conduction and improved muscle strength and physical performance in healthy Japanese adults aged 60 y and over paired with semiweekly light exercise.