Open AccessMealworm (Tenebrio Molitor)-Derived Protein Supplementation Attenuates Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Hindlimb Casting Immobilized Rats
Author(s) -
JeongBeom Lee,
Daekeun Kwon,
Yoo-Jeong Jeon,
Young-Ju Song
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chinese journal of physiology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.396
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 2666-0059
pISSN - 0304-4920
DOI - 10.4103/cjp.cjp_40_21
Subject(s) - mealworm , hindlimb , muscle atrophy , medicine , endocrinology , skeletal muscle , casein , sarcopenia , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , botany , larva
This study aimed to investigate the effect of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) derived protein supplementation on skeletal muscle atrophy of hindlimb casted immobilized rats. Twenty-four six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control sedentary group (CD, n = 8), control diet casting group (CDC, n = 8), and the mealworm-derived protein supplemented casting group (MDC, n = 8). CD and CDC group was supplemented AIN-76G diet and mealworm-derived protein supplemented diet for MDC group was substituted as 5% casein protein to 5% mealworm protein for 5 weeks and left hindlimb casting immobilization using casting tape for CDC and MDC group was done 1 week before sacrifice. After 5 weeks of mealworm supplementation, the soleus muscle weight of the MDC group was significantly higher compared to the CDC group. In addition, the level of muscle protein synthesis factors p-Akt/Akt, p-4EBP1/4EBP1, and p-S6K/S6K significantly increased in the MDC group compared to the CDC group. On contrary, the level of muscle protein degradation factors (MuRF1 and atrogin-1) was significantly lower in the MDC group than that of the CDC group. These results suggest that mealworm-derived protein supplementation may have a significant role in the prevention of skeletal muscle atrophy via stimulation of muscle protein synthesis factors and inhibition of muscle protein degradation factors, and therefore a promising intervention in sarcopenia.