Identifying Codium fragile extract components and their effects on muscle weight and exercise endurance

Codium fragile (CF) is a type of green algae consumed as kimchi in Asia. UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis showed that CF contain lysophosphatidyl choline, canthaxanthin, retinoic acid, alpha-tocopherol, and unsaturated fatty acids, which reportedly improve skeletal muscle health. However, the effect of CF on skeletal muscle mass and function remains to be elucidated. In mice fed with CF extracts, exercise endurance and muscle weight increased. CF extracts enhanced protein synthesis and myogenic differentiation through the mTORC1 pathway. CF extracts also promoted oxidative muscle fiber formation and mitochondrial biogenesis through the PGC-1 alpha-related signaling pathway. Upregulation of PGC-1 alpha by CF extracts was abolished by EX527 SIRT1 inhibitor treatment. Changed signaling molecules in the CF extracts were partially regulated by canthaxanthin, a new compound in CF extracts, suggesting that canthaxanthin contribute synergistically to the effect of CF extracts. Therefore, CF is a potential food source for sport nutrition or prevention of sarcopenia.

Automated summary

Codium fragile (CF) is a type of green algae consumed as kimchi in Asia, containing beneficial compounds for skeletal muscle health. Extracts from CF enhance protein synthesis, myogenic differentiation, oxidative muscle fiber formation, and mitochondrial biogenesis through specific signaling pathways, making it a potential food source for sport nutrition or sarcopenia prevention. Canthaxanthin, a new compound in CF extracts, contributes synergistically to the effects of CF.