Epicatechin as a Myostatin Inhibitor
Epicatechin does appear to function as a myostatin inhibitor based on current research evidence, which may contribute to its potential benefits for skeletal muscle growth and prevention of muscle atrophy.
Mechanism of Action
- Epicatechin inhibits myostatin expression while simultaneously affecting related pathways that regulate muscle growth and differentiation 1, 2
- It increases follistatin levels, which is an endogenous antagonist of myostatin, thereby enhancing the follistatin/myostatin ratio that favors muscle growth 3, 2
- Epicatechin also inhibits atrogenes (MAFbx, FOXO, MuRF1) that are involved in muscle protein degradation 1
- It stimulates myogenic factors including MyoD, Myf5, and myogenin that are essential for muscle development and regeneration 1, 2
Clinical Evidence
In a randomized controlled trial with sarcopenic older adults, 8 weeks of epicatechin supplementation combined with resistance training significantly:
- Increased plasma follistatin levels
- Decreased myostatin levels
- Improved the follistatin/myostatin ratio
- Enhanced muscle strength compared to placebo 3
A proof-of-concept human trial showed that just 7 days of epicatechin supplementation:
- Increased hand grip strength
- Improved the ratio of plasma follistatin/myostatin 2
Potential Applications
Epicatechin may help prevent or treat sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) by counteracting the age-associated increase in myostatin and decrease in follistatin 4, 2
It shows promise for conditions involving muscle atrophy, including:
The combination of epicatechin with exercise appears to produce synergistic effects on muscle growth factors and strength 3
Limitations and Considerations
- Despite promising results, there is currently no standardized clinical protocol for epicatechin supplementation for muscle-related conditions 1
- Most evidence comes from preclinical studies and limited human trials, indicating the need for larger, well-designed clinical studies 5, 4
- Optimal dosing, duration of treatment, and long-term effects remain to be established 4
- Individual response may vary based on baseline muscle status, age, and concurrent conditions 1, 4
Sources of Epicatechin
- Green tea is an excellent natural source of epicatechin and other catechins 6
- Other sources include dark chocolate and various plant foods, though supplement forms may provide more concentrated amounts 6
While epicatechin shows promise as a myostatin inhibitor with potential benefits for muscle health, more comprehensive clinical research is needed to establish optimal protocols and confirm long-term efficacy and safety for specific clinical applications.