The omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), prevents the damaging effects of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha during murine skeletal muscle cell differentiation
2008

EPA Protects Muscle Cells from TNF-Alpha Damage

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Peter Magee, Stephen Pearson, Jeremy Allen

Primary Institution: University of Salford

Hypothesis

EPA may have a protective effect against skeletal muscle damage induced by pro-inflammatory TNF-α.

Conclusion

EPA has a protective action against the damaging effects of TNF-α on C2C12 myogenesis.

Supporting Evidence

  • EPA completely inhibited the deleterious effects of TNF-α on myogenesis.
  • EPA significantly increased myogenic fusion and myotube diameter back to control levels.
  • EPA reduced spontaneous apoptosis and necrosis of differentiating myotubes.

Takeaway

EPA is like a superhero for muscle cells, helping them stay strong and healthy even when a bad guy called TNF-α tries to hurt them.

Methodology

The study used murine C2C12 myoblasts to evaluate the effects of EPA and TNF-α on myogenic differentiation and apoptosis.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1476-511X-7-24

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