The Combination of Lactoferrin and Creatine Ameliorates Muscle Decay in a Sarcopenia Murine Model.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether creatine, alone or combined with lactoferrin, could mitigate sarcopenia progression by improving muscle mass, function, and related molecular pathways in a mouse model.
Results Summary
Creatine improved muscle mass, function, and myogenic regulator expression in sarcopenic mice, with the most significant effects observed when combined with lactoferrin. RNA-seq analysis suggested mechanisms involving energy metabolism and muscle cell regulation pathways.
Population
Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
8 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
lactoferrin | increase | muscle mass | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | improved | #1 |
lactoferrin | increase | muscle function | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | improved | #2 |
lactoferrin | increase | muscle tissue | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | restored | #3 |
lactoferrin | increase | expression of myogenic regulators | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | increased | #4 |
creatine | increase | muscle mass | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | improved | #5 |
creatine | increase | muscle function | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | improved | #6 |
creatine | increase | muscle tissue | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | restored | #7 |
creatine | increase | expression of myogenic regulators | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | increased | #8 |
lactoferrin and creatine combination | increase | muscle mass | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | improved | #9 |
lactoferrin and creatine combination | increase | muscle function | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | improved | #10 |
lactoferrin and creatine combination | increase | muscle tissue | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | restored | #11 |
lactoferrin and creatine combination | increase | expression of myogenic regulators | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | increased | #12 |
lactoferrin and creatine combination | increase | these indexes | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | demonstrated the most significant improvement | #13 |
lactoferrin and creatine combination | increase | energy metabolism | C57BL/6 mice with D-galactose-induced sarcopenia | - | exert a more significant effect | #14 |
D-galactose injection | decrease | muscle mass (lean mass, GAS index) | C57BL/6 mice | - | decreased | #15 |
D-galactose injection | decrease | muscle function (endurance, hanging time, and grip strength) | C57BL/6 mice | - | decreased | #16 |
D-galactose injection | decrease | size and structure of myofiber | C57BL/6 mice | - | was smaller | #17 |
BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. The occurrence of sarcopenia has a huge impact on physical, psychological, and social health. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia is becoming an important public health issue. METHOD: 35 six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups, one of which served as a control group, while the rest of the groups were constructed as a model of sarcopenia by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose. The intervention with lactoferrin, creatine, and their mixtures, respectively, was carried out through gavage for 8 weeks. Muscle function was assessed based on their endurance, hanging time, and grip strength. The muscle tissues were weighed to assess the changes in mass, and the muscle RNA was extracted for myogenic factor expression and transcriptome sequencing to speculate on the potential mechanism of action by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. RESULT: The muscle mass (lean mass, GAS index), and muscle function (endurance, hanging time, and grip strength) decreased, and the size and structure of myofiber was smaller in the model group compared to the control group. The intervention with lactoferrin and creatine, either alone or combination, improved muscle mass and function, restored muscle tissue, and increased the expression of myogenic regulators. The combined group demonstrated the most significant improvement in these indexes. The RNA-seq results revealed enrichment in the longevity-regulated pathway, MAPK pathway, focal adhesion, and ECM-receptor interaction pathway in the intervention group. The intervention group may influence muscle function by affecting the proliferation, differentiation, senescence of skeletal muscle cell, and contraction of muscle fiber. The combined group also enriched the mTOR-S6K/4E-BPs signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and energy metabolism-related pathways, including Apelin signaling, insulin resistance pathway, and adipocytokine signaling pathway, which affect energy metabolism in muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Lactoferrin and creatine, either alone or in combination, were found to inhibit the progression of sarcopenia by influencing the number and cross-sectional area of muscle fibers and muscle protein synthesis. The combined intervention appears to exert a more significant effect on energy metabolism.