Exploring heat induced loss of muscle function
Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves throughout the 21st century. This phenomenon is prompting research into the effects of heat exposure on the human body. Elevated temperatures have been shown to accelerate overall biological ageing, in addition to affecting specific physiological responses.
It is widely recognised that muscle force is significantly influenced by heat, with temperatures above 40° C having been shown to have detrimental effects on human muscle function. With a natural decline in muscle mass and strength occurring after age 30, further acceleration due to heat exposure is a concern to all adults interested in healthy ageing.
A new study has explored the effects of fucoidans on heat stress induced loss of muscle function in mice. The high purity fucoidans utilised in the study were supplied by Marinova.
One cause of the decrease in muscle force at temperatures in excess of 40° C may be an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a type of free radical. Fucoidans have previously been shown to exhibit exceptional antioxidant properties, and their free radical scavenging ability therefore holds potential to reduce ROS.
In this study, mice were orally supplemented with fucoidan (400 mg/kg/day) derived from Undaria pinnatifida or Fucus vesiculosus seaweed, or the vehicle control for seven days. In vitro fast-twitch muscle function was subsequently assessed at either 25°C (control) or 43°C (heat stress), along with a heat stress assay and gene analysis.
The study found that while fucoidans from both species of seaweed significantly reduced ROS production, only Fucus vesiculosus fucoidan attenuated heat induced loss of muscle force and significantly increased the expression of the heat shock protein HSP90. This increase in HSP90 may be important because it can play a role in mitigating the loss of muscle force production induced by high temperatures.
The researchers noted that fucoidan from both seaweed species demonstrated strong antioxidant properties and may provide a novel approach to counteracting damage to muscle tissues and promoting overall health. They went on to conclude that Fucus vesiculosus fucoidan supplementation may be an effective strategy to protect against heat induced loss of muscle strength in fast-twitch muscles.
The full paper, ‘The impact of fucoidan extracts on heat-stress-induced loss of in vitro fast-twitch muscle function in mice’ was published in the journal Muscles.