Combined intake of astaxanthin, β-carotene, and resveratrol elevates protein synthesis during muscle hypertrophy in mice

Abstract Objective The antioxidant factors, astaxanthin, β-carotene, and resveratrol, have a potential effect on protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and a combined intake may have a greater cumulative effect than individual intake. We investigated the combined effects on skeletal muscle mass and protein metabolic signaling during hypertrophic process from atrophy in mice. Research Methods and Procedures Male ICR mice were divided into 5 diet groups consisting of 7 animals: normal, astaxanthin, β-carotene, resveratrol, and all 3 antioxidants. Equal concentrations (0.06% (w/w)) of the respective antioxidants were included in the diet of each group. In the mixed group, 3 antioxidants were added in equal proportion. One leg in all mice was casted for 3 weeks to induce muscle atrophy. After removal of the cast, the mice were fed each diet for 2 weeks. The muscle tissues were collected, weighed, and examined for protein metabolism signaling and oxidative damage. Results The weight of soleus muscle was increased in the astaxanthin, β-carotene, and resveratrol groups to a greater extent in comparison to in the normal group; this was accelerated by intake of the mix antioxidants (p=0.007). Phosphorylation levels of mTOR and p70S6K in the muscle were higher in the mixed antioxidant group than in the normal group (p=0.025, p=0.020). The carbonylated protein concentration was lower in the mixed antioxidant group than in the normal group (p=0.021). Conclusions These results suggest that a combination of astaxanthin, β-carotene, and resveratrol, even in small amounts, promoted protein synthesis during the muscle hypertrophic process following atrophy.