Improve Nutrition and End Childhood Obesity

Research to help people eat healthy


Anti-sarcopenia Effect and Mechanisms of Cocoa Epicatechin in Aging Mice Fed a Standard Diet

A Study of Health Promoting Components in Pigeon Pea and Its Application in Food Models

Anti-sarcopenia Effect and Mechanisms of Cocoa Epicatechin in Aging Mice Fed a Standard Diet
 Dr. Hongwei Si
The number of Americans aged 65 or older is quickly growing. This will place unprecedented burdens on health care costs. Approximately 45% of older adults in the United States are affected by sarcopenia. This a number will continue to increase as the population ages. The economic burden of related healthcare expenditures for sarcopenia in the United States was estimated to be $18.5 billion annually (or $900 per person per year) in 2004 and it continuing to grow. It is estimated that a reduction of sarcopenia of just 10% would save $1.1 billion in healthcare costs. Therefore, developing strategies to promote health and skeletal muscle (SkM) functional independence are very important for helping older Americans to stay healthy, live longer, and incur fewer health-related costs. A search for novel, cost-effective, and health-improving agents for the prevention of multiple organs' dysfunction and prolonging healthy lifespan is of major importance. In our recent study, we observed that dietary intake of epicatechin, a major bioactive compound of cocoa, significantly increased survival rate to 69.7% from 39.4% in control group in aged C57B6 mice fed a standard diet. Notably, we contend that anti-aging effects of epicatechin may be partly due to the improvement of SkM function because epicatechin intake improved physical activities and reversed aging-reduced SkM actin protein expression compared to the control group. These findings suggest that epicatechin may be a novel anti-aging and anti-sarcopenia compound. It is particularly a breakthrough of anti-aging natural compounds research because most potential natural agents including resveratrol, green tea extract and curcumin failed in extending the lifespan of mice at the National Institute on Aging Interventions Testing Program [1]. However, from our current studies, we used only one dosage (0.25% drinking) of epicatechin. Further pathological, biochemical and molecular analysis from collected animal tissues were not done because of lack of funding support. A more comprehensive aging study with different dosages of epicatechin and whole cocoa extracts to select the optimum dosage and define the physiological and transcriptional mechanisms is needed to confirm whether and how dietary epicatechin and cocoa extracts extend the lifespan and protect SkM dysfunction in aging mice fed a standard diet. In the present proposal, we will explore whether epicatechin acts as an anti-aging agent via improving muscle function suing large numbers of mice for long periods. Results of these studies could potentially lead to the development of strategies using cost-effective, naturally available compound to promote health and extend lifespan in humans. In addition, completion of this project will strengthen our capacities in molecular nutrition and chronic diseases research as well as support minority graduate students at Tennessee State University.

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A Study of Health Promoting Components in Pigeon Pea and Its Application in Food Models
 Dr. Ying Wu
Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) has been used as a traditional remedy for various disease treatments including anticancer, anti-inflammation, and anti-diabetes etc. Pigeon pea is becoming an emerging crop in the United States. Currently, research is underway on Pigeon pea production at Tennessee State University, Alabama A & M University, and Virginia State University with funding support from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, very few studies are available on Pigeon pea's health-promoting effects through dietary consumption. It is becoming an urgent calling for food scientists to introduce this emerging crop to public consumers with the evidence that Pigeon pea acts an exceptional source of a healthy ingredient. In this project, the PD will explore the application of Pigeon pea in food models. The hypotheses are: protein and non-starch polysaccharides in Pigeon pea exhibit anti-inflammation, anti-diabetes and intestinal benefit; food containing Pigeon pea will exhibit health benefit, and will meet consumer acceptance by sensory evaluation. The objectives of this project are: i). Characterize chemical, physical, and physiological properties of protein and non-starch polysaccharides; ii). Develop food products incorporated with Pigeon pea flour at various levels, and evaluate their health benefits on anti-inflammation, antidiabetes, and gastrointestinal health; iii). Conduct sensory evaluations on the developed food model for customer acceptance. The successful delivery of this project will help build research capacity and competency for attracting external funding for their future research.  

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