• Aki Kawamura, Wataru Aoi, Ryo Abe, Yukiko Kobayashi, Sayori Wada, Masashi Kuwahata, and Akane Higashi.
• Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyoto, Japan; Sports Science Research Promotion Center, Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo, Japan.
• Nutrition. 2020 Jan 1; 69: 110561.

ObjectiveThe antioxidant factors, astaxanthin, β-carotene, and resveratrol, have a potential effect on protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and a combined intake may have a greater cumulative effect than individual intake. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects on skeletal muscle mass and protein metabolic signaling during the hypertrophic process from atrophy in mice.MethodsMale ICR mice were divided into five dietary groups consisting of seven animals each: normal, astaxanthin, β-carotene, resveratrol, and all three antioxidants. Equal concentrations (0.06% [w/w]) of the respective antioxidants were included in the diet of each group. In the mixed group, three antioxidants were added in equal proportion. One leg of each mouse was casted for 3 wk to induce muscle atrophy. After removal of the cast, the mice were fed each diet for 2 wk. The muscle tissues were collected, weighed, and examined for protein metabolism signaling and oxidative damage.ResultsThe weight of the soleus muscle was increased in the astaxanthin, β-carotene, and resveratrol groups to a greater extent than in the normal group; this was accelerated by intake of the mixed antioxidants (P = 0.007). Phosphorylation levels of mammalian target of rapamycin and p70 S6 K in the muscle were higher in the mixed antioxidant group than in the normal group (P = 0.025; P = 0.020). The carbonylated protein concentration was lower in the mixed antioxidant group than in the normal group (P = 0.021).ConclusionsThese results suggested that a combination of astaxanthin, β-carotene, and resveratrol, even in small amounts, promoted protein synthesis during the muscle hypertrophic process following atrophy.Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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