The Effects of a Theacrine-based Supplement on mRNAs Related to Various Metabolic Processes and Sirtuin Activity in vitro

Abstract

There is evidence in rodents to suggest theacrine-based supplements modulate tissue sirtuin activity as well as other biological processes associated with aging. Herein, we examined if a theacrine-based supplement (NAD3) altered sirtuin activity in vitro while also affecting markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and the mRNA expression of genes related to various cellular processes in muscle. The murine C2C12 myoblast cell line was used for experimentation. Following 7 days of differentiation, myotubes were treated with 0.45 mg/mL of NAD3 (containing ~ 2 mM theacrine) for 3 and 24 hours (n=6 treatment wells per time point). Control treatments consisted of cellulose-only treatments at the same time points. Relative to CTL-treated cells, NAD3 treatments increased (p<0.05) Sirt1 mRNA levels at 3 hours, as well as global sirtuin activity at 3 and 24 hours. While NAD3 treatments decreased mRNA levels of Nfe2l2 at 3 hours and increased levels at 24 hours relative to CTL-treated cells (a gene involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, p<0.05), citrate synthase activity levels (a surrogate of mitochondrial density) remained unaltered between treatments. NAD3 treatments for 3 and 24 hours decreased Nlrp3 mRNA levels relative to CTL-treated cells (an inflammatory marker, p<0.05). Additionally, NAD3 treatments decreased Map1lc3b mRNA levels (an autophagy marker) after 24-hour treatments (p<0.05). Although these data are limited to select biomarkers in vitro, these preliminary findings suggest a theacrine-based supplement can modulate various skeletal muscle biomarkers related to sirtuin activity, inflammation, and autophagy. Muscle biopsy studies in humans are needed to confirm these current findings.

Theacrine enhances autophagy and inhibits inflammation via regulating SIRT3/FOXO3a/Parkin pathway

“…Autophagy removes damaged components and helps maintain cellular homeostasis, it is implicated in various skin disorders, including psoriasis. A supplement based on theacrine has the potential to influence a range of skeletal muscle biomarkers associated with sirtuin activity, inflammation, and autophagy 16 . In this work, the upregulation of autophagy‐related markers in the stratum corneum cells of psoriasis‐like mice following theacrine administration suggests that theacrine contributes to the clearance of dysfunctional cellular components.…”