Title:Effect of Epicatechin on Skeletal Muscle
Volume: 29
Issue: 6
Author(s): Hermann Zbinden-Foncea *, Mauricio Castro-Sepulveda , Jocelyn Fuentes and Hernan Speisky
Affiliation:
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Salud Deportiva. Clínica Santa María, Santiago, Chile
- Institute of Neuroscience, UCLouvain, Louvain La Neuve, Wallonia, Belgium
Keywords:
Muscular dystrophy, antioxidants, inflammation, oxidative stress, muscle quality, epicatechin (Epi).
Abstract: Loss of skeletal muscle (SkM) quality is associated with different clinical conditions
such as aging, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and heart failure. Nutritional research has
focused on identifying naturally occurring molecules that mitigate the loss of SkM quality
induced by pathology or syndrome. In this context, although few human studies have
been conducted, epicatechin (Epi) is a prime candidate that may positively affect SkM
quality by its potential ability to mitigate muscle mass loss. This seems to be a consequence
of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and its stimulation of mitochondrial
biogenesis to increase myogenic differentiation, as well as its modulation of
key proteins involved in SkM structure, function, metabolism, and growth. In conclusion,
the Epi could prevent, mitigate, delay, and even treat muscle-related disorders caused by
aging and diseases. However, studies in humans are needed.