A Study of the Ameliorative Effect of Gryllus bimaculatus on Sarcopenia

Abstract

Purpose: Currently, aging-related sarcopenia is considered a serious problem. However, few studies have addressed the treatment or prevention of sarcopenia using Gryllus bimaculatus . Therefore the present study was carried out to determine whether Gryllus bimaculatus has an ameliorative effect on sarcopenia and to study its applicability as a food for sarcopenia in the elderly or in patients with this condition.Methods: The contents of moisture, crude ash, crude protein, crude fat, carbohydrate and minerals were analyzed. The amino acid and fatty acid compositions were analyzed using an automatic amino acid analyzer and gas chromatography, respectively. Cell viability was measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Myostatin expression was investigated in C2C12 cells using a luciferase reporter assay after treatment with a Gryllus bimaculatus extract.Results: The Gryllus bimaculatus powder (GBP), protein extract of Gryllus bimaculatus (PEGB), Gryllus bimaculatus egg (GBE), and egg protein extract of Gryllus bimaculatus (EPGB) were high in essential amino acids, especially branched chain amino acids, and unsaturated fatty acids, and low in carbohydrates. Moreover, Gryllus bimaculatus appeared to have ameliorative effects on sarcopenia by suppressing the mRNA expression of myostatin in C2C12 cells.Conclusion: It is expected that Gryllus bimaculatus will be positive for the development of food materials or to prevent sarcopenia in the elderly or in patients with this condition.