Lactobacillus rhamnosus JY02 Ameliorates Sarcopenia by Anti-Atrophic Effects in a Dexamethasone-Induced Cellular and Murine Model.

Sarcopenia is defined as loss of muscle mass and strength due to aging. Recent studies show that sarcopenia may improve via the gut-muscle axis, suggesting that gut health may affect muscle phenotypes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the ability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus JY02 as a probiotic strain isolated from kimchi to alleviate sarcopenia. L. rhamnosus JY02-conditioned medium (CM) reduced dexamethasone (DEX)-induced myotube diameter atrophy and expression of muscle degradation markers (MuRF1 and atrogin-1) in C2C12 cells. The amelioration of sarcopenia was investigated by measuring body composition (lean mass), hand grip strength, myofibril size (using histological analysis), and mRNA and protein expression of muscle-related factors in a DEX-induced mouse model. The results of these analyses showed that L. rhamnosus JY02 supplementation promoted the production of muscle-enhancement markers (MHC Iß, MHC IIα, and Myo-D) and reduced both the production of muscle degradation markers and the symptoms of muscle atrophy (loss of lean mass and muscle strength). We also found decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IFN- γ) and increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) in the serum of DEX+JY02-administered mice compared to those in DEX-treated mice. Overall, these results suggest that L. rhamnosus JY02 is a potent probiotic supplement that prevents sarcopenia by suppressing muscle atrophy.

Antioxidant Properties and Physicochemical Attributes of Meat from Berkshire Finishing Pigs Supplemented with Rubus coreanus By-Product.

A 60-d feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with two concentrations (0% and 0.3%) of black raspberry (Rubus coreanus Miquel) fruit by-product (RCFB) on the physicochemical characteristics, oxidative stability, antioxidant capacity, antioxidant enzyme activity, and fatty acid profile of M. longissimus dorsi (LL) porcine muscle from Berkshire finishing pigs meat. Results revealed that regardless of the sex, diets supplemented with 0.3% RCFB reduced (p<0.05) the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) expressed as malonaldehyde (MDA) content effectively. A higher antioxidant capacity [2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity] was found (p<0.05) in response to feeding supplemented with 0.3% RCBF for male or female pigs. Moreover, 0.3% RCFB dietary feed increased (p<0.05) the glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities (GPX1) in blood plasma for male or female pigs. However, no influences were observed (p>0.05) on meat color, WHC, shear force, and fatty acid contents while fed diet supplemented with 0% or 0.3% RCFB for male or female pigs. Overall, this study suggests that a diet supplemented with 0.3% RCFB may beneficially affect owing to better oxidative stability, higher antioxidant capacity, and antioxidant enzyme activity (blood plasma) in pigs which could be a promising natural antioxidant without affecting meat quality traits.