Effect of marine lipids on skeletal muscle function

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06221
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 40040:Aquatic life science-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Beppu Fumiaki 北海道大学, 水産科学研究院, 准教授 (10707540)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 水産脂質 / n-3系多価不飽和脂肪酸 / 骨格筋 / 筋委縮予防 / 筋管形成 / 老化 / 酸化ストレス / グリセロリン脂質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We found several lipid extracts from marine organisms that enhance myogenesis and increase myotube size in C2C12 myoblast cells. For example, phospholipids from starfish decreased the expression of FoxO and its target genes of Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 and eventually increased myotube size. In aging model SAMP8 mice, fish oil prevented muscle atrophy, and the possibility that EPA/DHA suppressed oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in muscle cells was suggested. Our results suggest the potential use of marine lipids as bio-active food factors that are beneficial for muscle function.

Free Research Field

脂質機能化学、分子栄養学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、健康維持・増進に重要な骨格筋機能の制御に関わる脂質成分を水産生物資源を中心に探索し、筋形成および代謝調節作用を示す脂質や脂質画分を複数見出した。特に底生生物や深海性魚類に特徴的な脂質成分の筋形成促進作用を新たに示した点は、未利用水産資源の機能性食素材としての応用を考える上で非常に意義深い。今後in vivoでの機能効果検証と作用機構解析へ展開し、これら脂質構造に起因する筋機能制御作用を明らかにすることで、新たな筋疾患予防法の開発へも貢献が期待される。