title: Epicatechin elicits MyoD-dependent myoblast differentiation and myogenic conversion of fibroblasts.
abstract: Prevention of age-associated reduction in muscle mass and function is required to manage a healthy life. Supplemental (-)-Epicatechin (EC) appears to act as a potential regulator for muscle growth and strength. However, its cellular and molecular mechanisms as a potential muscle growth agent have not been studied well. In the current study, we investigated a role of EC in differentiation of muscle progenitors to gain the molecular insight into how EC regulates muscle growth. EC enhanced myogenic differentiation in a dose-dependent manner through stimulation of promyogenic signaling pathways, p38MAPK and Akt. EC treatment elevated MyoD activity by enhancing its heterodimerization with E protein. Consistently, EC also positively regulated myogenic conversion and differentiation of fibroblasts. In conclusion, EC has a potential as a therapeutic or nutraceutical remedy to treat degenerative muscle diseases or age-related muscle weakness.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Single Cell Network Research Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Eun
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Leem
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ga-Yeon
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Go
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Younhee
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yoo Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Insol
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Do Yoon
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Kee
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Wan
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Single Cell Network Research Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Sun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Gyu-Un
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Bae
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002392:Catechin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D051379:Mice; D017570:MyoD Protein / Q000502:physiology*; D032446:Myoblasts / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D017570:MyoD Protein; D002392:Catechin