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 [V̇O2max (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. V̇O2max 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.
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October 2013
Rapid Communication|
June 14 2013
Perturbations in skeletal muscle sarcomere structure in patients with heart failure and Type 2 diabetes: restorative effects of (−)-epicatechinrich cocoa
Pam R. Taub;
Pam R. Taub
1
*School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A.
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Israel Ramirez-Sanchez;
Israel Ramirez-Sanchez
1
*School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A.
†Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Seccion de Posgrado, Mexico, DF 11340, Mexico
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Theodore P. Ciaraldi;
Theodore P. Ciaraldi
*School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A.
‡VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A.
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Silvia Gonzalez-Basurto;
Silvia Gonzalez-Basurto
†Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Seccion de Posgrado, Mexico, DF 11340, Mexico
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Ramon Coral-Vazquez;
Ramon Coral-Vazquez
†Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Seccion de Posgrado, Mexico, DF 11340, Mexico
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Guy Perkins;
Guy Perkins
*School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A.
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Michael Hogan;
Michael Hogan
*School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A.
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Alan S. Maisel;
Alan S. Maisel
*School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A.
‡VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A.
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Robert R. Henry;
Robert R. Henry
*School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A.
‡VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A.
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Guillermo Ceballos;
Guillermo Ceballos
†Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Seccion de Posgrado, Mexico, DF 11340, Mexico
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Francisco Villarreal
*School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A.
Correspondence: Dr Francisco Villarreal (email fvillarr@ucsd.edu).
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Clin Sci (Lond) (2013) 125 (8): 383–389.
Article history
Received:
January 11 2013
Revision Received:
April 30 2013
Accepted:
May 03 2013
Accepted Manuscript online:
May 03 2013
Citation
Pam R. Taub, Israel Ramirez-Sanchez, Theodore P. Ciaraldi, Silvia Gonzalez-Basurto, Ramon Coral-Vazquez, Guy Perkins, Michael Hogan, Alan S. Maisel, Robert R. Henry, Guillermo Ceballos, Francisco Villarreal; Perturbations in skeletal muscle sarcomere structure in patients with heart failure and Type 2 diabetes: restorative effects of (−)-epicatechinrich cocoa. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 October 2013; 125 (8): 383–389. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20130023
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