title: Perturbations in skeletal muscle sarcomere structure in patients with heart failure and type 2 diabetes: restorative effects of (-)-epicatechin-rich cocoa.
abstract: HF (heart failure) and T2D (Type 2 diabetes) associate with detrimental alterations in SkM (skeletal muscle) structure/function. We have demonstrated recently that (-)-ERC (epicatechin-rich cocoa) improves SkM mitochondrial structure [Taub, Ramirez-Sanchez, Ciaraldi, Perkins, Murphy, Naviaux, Hogan, Ceballos, Maisel, Henry et al. (2012) Clin. Trans. Sci. 5, 43-47]. We hypothesized that an improved mitochondrial structure may facilitate the reversal of detrimental alterations in sarcomeric microstructure. In a pilot study, five patients with HF and T2D consumed ERC for 3 months; treadmill testing [VO2max (maximum oxygen consumption)] and SkM biopsies were performed. Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy were used. We report severe perturbations in components of the DAPC (dystrophin-associated protein complex) as well as sarcomeric microstructure at baseline. ERC induced recovery/enhancement of DAPC protein levels, sarcomeric microstructure and, in a co-ordinated fashion, alterations in markers of SkM growth/differentiation consistent with myofibre regeneration. VO2max increased (~24%) but did not reach statistical significance. These initial results warrant further rigorous investigation, since the use of ERC (or pure epicatechin) may represent a safe and novel means of improving muscle function.
authors: School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
authors: Pam R
authors: PR
authors: Taub
authors: Israel
authors: I
authors: Ramirez-Sanchez
authors: Theodore P
authors: TP
authors: Ciaraldi
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Gonzalez-Basurto
authors: Ramon
authors: R
authors: Coral-Vazquez
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Perkins
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Hogan
authors: Alan S
authors: AS
authors: Maisel
authors: Robert R
authors: RR
authors: Henry
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: Ceballos
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Villarreal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000073939:Dysferlin; D016189:Dystrophin / Q000378:metabolism; D049028:Dystrophin-Associated Protein Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D005080:Exercise Test; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D049031:Sarcoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D012518:Sarcomeres / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D049411:Utrophin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C114839:DYSF protein, human; D000073939:Dysferlin; D016189:Dystrophin; D049028:Dystrophin-Associated Protein Complex; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D049031:Sarcoglycans; D049411:Utrophin; D002392:Catechin