The effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy

Biomed Res Int. 2014:2014:961438. doi: 10.1155/2014/961438. Epub 2014 May 25.

Abstract

Corticosteroids cause muscle atrophy by acting on proteasomal and lysosomal systems and by affecting pathways related to muscular trophysm, such as the IGF-1/PI-3k/Akt/mTOR. Omega-3 fatty acid (n-3) has been used beneficially to attenuate muscle atrophy linked to sepsis and cachexia; however, its effect on dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy has not been evaluated. Objectives. We evaluated whether n-3 supplementation could mitigate the development of dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy. Methods. Two groups of Wistar rats were orally supplemented with n-3 or vehicle solution for 40 days. In the last 10 days, dexamethasone, or saline solution, was administrated establishing four groups: control, dexamethasone, n-3, and dexamethasone + n-3. The cross-sectional areas of muscle fibers, gene expression (MyoD, Myogenin, MuRF-1, and Atrogin-1), and protein expression (Akt, GSK3β, FOXO3a, and mTOR) were assessed. Results. Dexamethasone induced a significant loss in body and muscle weight, atrophy in type 2B fibers, and decreased expression of P-Akt, P-GSK3β, and P-FOXO3a. N-3 supplementation did not attenuate the negative effects of dexamethasone on skeletal muscle; instead, it caused atrophy in type 1, 2A, reduced the expression of Myogenin, and increased the expression of Atrogin-1. Conclusion. Food supplements containing n-3 are usually healthful, but they may potentiate some of the side effects of glucocorticoids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Dexamethasone
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / therapeutic use*
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Male
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism
  • Muscular Atrophy / chemically induced*
  • Muscular Atrophy / drug therapy*
  • Muscular Atrophy / pathology
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Rats, Wistar
  • SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Weight Loss / drug effects

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • FoxO3 protein, mouse
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Dexamethasone
  • Fbxo32 protein, mouse
  • SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Gsk3b protein, mouse
  • Gsk3b protein, rat
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3