Activation of Nrf2 suppresses exercise-induced muscle fatigue and muscle damage via suppression of oxidative stress

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19974
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59020:Sports sciences-related
• Research Institution: Teikyo Heisei University (2020-2021); University of Tsukuba (2019)
• Principal Investigator: KOMINE Shoichi 帝京平成大学, ヒューマンケア学部, 助教 (10839088)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 筋痛 / 筋損傷 / 運動負荷 / サプリメント / 酸化ストレス / スルフォラファン / Nrf2 / DOMS

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Oxidative stress occurs in skeletal muscle during exercise. Sulforaphane (SFN) increases the antioxidant stress capacity of the skeletal muscle. However, the effects of SFN ingestion on post-exercise muscle pain and damage in humans are unclear.
SFN intake significantly suppressed muscle soreness on palpation and decreased joint range of motion. In addition, a trend toward suppression of elevated serum CK, a marker of muscle damage, was also observed. Serum TBARS, a marker of oxidative stress, was significantly lower 2 days after exercise.
These results suggest that SFN supplementation suppresses exercise-induced muscle pain and muscle damage.

Free Research Field

スポーツ科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

この成果は，ヒトにおいて初めてスルフォラファン摂取が筋痛・筋損傷に与える影響を示したものとなった．アスリートにおけるパフォーマンス維持・向上に寄与するだけでなく，一般健常者の運動志向を高め，健康状態やQOLの向上をもたらす可能性があるだろう．
また，本研究で用いたサプリメントの濃度は，十分に食事から摂取することが可能な濃度であり，生活に取り入れやすい．今後は食事由来の成分で解析することで，さらなる発展が期待される．