Potential roles of vitamin E in age-related changes in skeletal muscle health
Journal
Nutrition Research
Journal Volume
49
Pages
23-36
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
Skeletal muscle disorders including sarcopenia are prevalent during the complex biological process of aging. Loss of muscle mass and strength commonly seen in sarcopenia is induced by impaired neuromuscular innervation, transition of skeletal muscle fiber type, and reduced muscle regenerative capacity, all attributable to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Current literature suggests that vitamin E molecules (α-, β-, γ-, δ-tocopherols and the corresponding tocotrienols) with their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities may mitigate age-associated skeletal dysfunction and enhance muscle regeneration, thus attenuating sarcopenia. Preclinical and human experimental studies show that vitamin E benefits myoblast proliferation, differentiation, survival, membrane repair, mitochondrial efficiency, muscle mass, muscle contractile properties, and exercise capacity. Limited number of human cross-sectional observational studies reveal positive associations between serum tocopherol level and muscle strength. Several factors, including difficulties in validating vitamin E intake and deficiency, variations in muscle-protective activity and metabolism of diverse forms of vitamin E, and lack of understanding of the mechanisms of action, preclude randomized clinical trials of vitamin E in people with sarcopenia. Future research should consider long-term clinical trials of with adequate sample size, advanced imaging technology and omics approaches to investigate underlying mechanisms and assess clinically meaningful parameters such as muscle strength, physical performance, and muscle mass in sarcopenia prevention and/or treatment. ? 2017 Elsevier Inc.
SDGs
Other Subjects
alpha tocopherol; alpha tocotrienol; beta tocopherol; delta tocopherol; gamma tocopherol; alpha tocopherol; antioxidant; absorption; antiinflammatory activity; antioxidant activity; cell differentiation; cell proliferation; cell survival; clinical effectiveness; excretion; human; muscle contraction; muscle function; muscle mass; muscle regeneration; muscle strength; myoblast; nonhuman; outcome assessment; oxidative stress; pathogenesis; physical performance; priority journal; Review; sarcopenia; skeletal muscle; vitamin intake; vitamin metabolism; vitamin supplementation; aging; blood; complication; drug effect; exercise tolerance; inflammation; mitochondrion; physiology; sarcopenia; skeletal muscle; Aging; Antioxidants; Exercise Tolerance; Humans; Inflammation; Mitochondria; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal; Oxidative Stress; Physical Functional Performance; Sarcopenia; Vitamin E
Publisher
Elsevier Inc.
Type
review