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The unsuspected muscle-enhancing effect of plums
Plums contain substances that have an anabolic effect on and in bone tissue. Strange but true. According to an American in vitro study that appeared in 2019, these same substances may also have an anabolic effect in muscle cells.
Studie
Chemists from the College of Agriculture in Petersburg exposed young muscle cells to an extract of plums. The extract contained relatively high concentrations of polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid, quercetin, rutin, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins.
Click on the table below for more precise data on the composition of the extract.
The researchers then measured the anabolic effects of the extract on the muscle cells over a period of 48 hours.
Results
The muscle cells grew larger and also formed more muscle fibers due to exposure to the extract.
In the muscle cells, protein synthesis increased [Figure] and protein breakdown decreased. [Figure]
Some of these effects are likely due to increased production of the anabolic hormone IGF-1 in the muscle cells by the extract, the researchers discovered. This is shown in the first figure below.
Another possible mechanism is that the extract lowers the universal catabolic signaling molecule NF-kappaB in the muscle cells. This is shown in the second figure.
The researchers also tested their extracts on colon cancer cells. On this cell type, the extracts had the opposite effect - they reduced the vitality of the cancer cells.
Conclusion
"Plum extract may be a useful intervention to be considered for cancer cachexia or other chronic disease-induced cachexia involving inflammation", the researchers summarize.
"These results need to be confirmed in an animal model of cachexia, followed by clinical translation."
A bit problematic
Even though an employee of the R&D department of Abbott Nutrition was a co-author of this paper, we wonder if it 'clinical translation' will happen anytime soon. The concentrations in this in vitro study were high. It may not be possible get them that high in a living organism.
Source:
Nutrients. 2019 May 15;11(5):1077.
More:
Daily intake of 5 dried plums halts bone loss | Trial 04.08.2024
Prunes boost IGF-1 levels in humans 24.05.2012
Animal study: combination of two foods plus supplement restores bone strength 18.02.2012
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