Capsiate Supplementation Reduces Oxidative Cost of Contraction in Exercising Mouse Skeletal Muscle In Vivo

Abstract

Chronic administration of capsiate is known to accelerate whole-body basal energy metabolism, but the consequences in exercising skeletal muscle remain very poorly documented. In order to clarify this issue, the effect of 2-week daily administration of either vehicle (control) or purified capsiate (at 10- or 100-mg/kg body weight) on skeletal muscle function and energetics were investigated throughout a multidisciplinary approach combining in vivo and in vitro measurements in mice. Mechanical performance and energy metabolism were assessed strictly non-invasively in contracting gastrocnemius muscle using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and 31-phosphorus MR spectroscopy (31P-MRS). Regardless of the dose, capsiate treatments markedly disturbed basal bioenergetics in vivo including intracellular pH alkalosis and decreased phosphocreatine content. Besides, capsiate administration did affect neither mitochondrial uncoupling protein-3 gene expression nor both basal and maximal oxygen consumption in isolated saponin-permeabilized fibers, but decreased by about twofold the K m of mitochondrial respiration for ADP. During a standardized in vivo fatiguing protocol (6-min of repeated maximal isometric contractions electrically induced at a frequency of 1.7 Hz), both capsiate treatments reduced oxidative cost of contraction by 30-40%, whereas force-generating capacity and fatigability were not changed. Moreover, the rate of phosphocreatine resynthesis during the post-electrostimulation recovery period remained unaffected by capsiate. Both capsiate treatments further promoted muscle mass gain, and the higher dose also reduced body weight gain and abdominal fat content. These findings demonstrate that, in addition to its anti-obesity effect, capsiate supplementation improves oxidative metabolism in exercising muscle, which strengthen this compound as a natural compound for improving health.

Effects of Capsinoids on Daily Physical Activity, Body Composition and Cold Hypersensitivity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Study

“…Another possible interpretation is that the capsinoids were responsible for the change in energy production. Both one-time ingestion and 2 week continuous ingestion of capsinoids suppressed glucose use by increasing oxidative phosphorylation in muscles and facilitating lipid use [42,43]. Additionally, mice that ingested capsinoids exhibited longer endurance swimming capacity, implying that capsinoids-induced change in energy production increases endurance exercise capacity [44].…”

Capsaicin Supplementation Reduces Physical Fatigue and Improves Exercise Performance in Mice

“…Previous reports showed that the plasma glucose of CAP-treated rats at a dose of 15 mg/kg was significantly higher than the non-CAP-treated control group after immediate exhaustion [37]. The other studies also demonstrated that CAP increased glucose uptake directly by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) [38], improved oxidative metabolism in exercising muscle, and promoted muscular mass gain with chronic administration [39]. Therefore, continuous 4 weeks CAP supplementation could increase energy utilization and improve exercise performance in current results (Figure 4).…”

Capsaicin in Metabolic Syndrome

“…Interference with the function of these organelles is an important factor in developing insulin resistance in skeletal muscle [ 170 ]. Capsiate has shown beneficial responses in skeletal muscle function [ 171 , 172 ]; thus, capsaicin or its analogues can be targeted for improving skeletal muscle function. Similarly, mitochondrial function in liver was improved by a combination of capsaicin and α-tocopherol [ 79 ], further suggesting potential in targeting mitochondrial function with capsaicin.…”