Cinnamtannin A2, (−)-epicatechin tetramer, attenuates skeletal muscle wasting in disuse atrophy model mice induced by hindlimb suspension

The impact of repeated administration of cinntamtannin A2 (A2, 25 μg/kg) on skeletal muscle disuse atrophy model mice induced by hindlimb suspension for 14 days was examined. In soleus, weight loss and a reduction in the average myofibre size with shifting to the smaller side of the peak were observed in the suspension-vehicle group, but A2 reduced these changes. Average myofibre size significantly increased in ground-A2 compared to ground-vehicle. A marked increase in the dephosphorylation of forkhead box O (FoxO) 3a by the suspension was reduced by A2. The phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein (4EBP)-1 were significantly increased by the treatment of A2. In addition, a single dose of A2 increased dramatically in the 24-h excretion of catecholamines in urine. These results suggest that A2 administration results in sympathetic nerve activation and promotes hypertrophy while inhibiting the progress of disuse muscle atrophy.