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Diet-Derived Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) Induce Muscle Wasting In Vitro, and a Standardized Vaccinium macrocarpon Extract Restrains AGE Formation and AGE-Dependent C2C12 Myotube Atrophy

Summary

This research shows that processed foods high in sugar and fat create harmful compounds called AGEs that can cause muscle loss and weakness. Cranberry extract, which contains natural antioxidants, was found to be particularly effective at blocking AGE formation and preventing muscle cell damage. The study suggests that eating foods containing cranberry extract might help prevent age-related muscle loss and the negative effects of unhealthy Western diets on muscle health.

Background

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) from high-sugar/fat and ultra-processed Western diet foods contribute to various diseases through oxidative stress and inflammation via RAGE receptor activation. Elevated endogenous AGEs are associated with muscle wasting, but the direct impact of diet-derived AGEs on muscle atrophy has not been thoroughly investigated.

Objective

To investigate whether common diet-derived AGEs and their precursor methylglyoxal induce muscle cell atrophy in vitro, and to identify natural compounds capable of inhibiting AGE formation and preventing AGE-induced myotube atrophy.

Results

Both diet-derived AGEs and endogenous AGE-BSA induced myotube atrophy through partially overlapping mechanisms involving ROS production, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ubiquitin-proteasome activation. Among tested compounds, Vaccinium macrocarpon extract demonstrated superior anti-AGE formation capacity and effectively prevented AGE-induced myotube atrophy without cytotoxicity, containing multiple bioactive compounds including anthocyanins, phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols, and flavonols.

Conclusion

Western diet-derived AGE consumption may predispose to muscle wasting through multiple mechanisms. A standardized Vaccinium macrocarpon extract with anti-glycative metabolites shows promise as a natural food supplement to prevent AGE-induced muscle atrophy and may help counteract deleterious effects of the Western dietary pattern.
  • Published in:Antioxidants (Basel),
  • Study Type:In Vitro Experimental Study,
  • Source: 40867799
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