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Whole grain cereal attenuates obesity-induced muscle atrophy by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway in obese C57BL/6N mice

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Abstract

Whole grain comprises starchy endosperm, germ, and bran tissues, which contain fibers, minerals, vitamins, and several phytochemicals. Whole grain cereal (WGC)-based food products supply beneficial nutrients (essential for health care) and macronutrients (essential for body maintenance and support). The present study investigated the inhibitory effect of WGC on obesity-induced muscle atrophy in obese C57BL/6N mice. WGC attenuated the body weight gain, fat pad mass, adipocyte size, food efficiency ratio, serum lipid profile, and non-alcoholic fatty liver. Furthermore, WGC increased muscle mass and muscle strength by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway. Accordingly, WGC up-regulated the expression of factors that regulate muscle hypertrophy and myogenesis, whereas it down-regulated the atrophy-related factors. Overall, these results demonstrate that WGC effectively attenuates obesity-induced muscle atrophy as well as overall obesity, suggesting that WGC can be used as a functional food.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (IPET) through High Value-added Food Technology Development Program, funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) (315071-03).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea

    Sein Lee & Jae-Kwan Hwang

  2. Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea

    Mi-Bo Kim, Changhee Kim & Jae-Kwan Hwang

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  1. Sein Lee
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Correspondence to Jae-Kwan Hwang.

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Lee, S., Kim, MB., Kim, C. et al. Whole grain cereal attenuates obesity-induced muscle atrophy by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway in obese C57BL/6N mice. Food Sci Biotechnol 27, 159–168 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-017-0277-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-017-0277-x

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