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Unlocking the Muscle-Boosting Power of Trigonelline

Unlocking the Muscle-Boosting Power of Trigonelline
Written by Andrew Le, MD.
Last updated June 25, 2024
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Written by Andrew Le, MD.
Last updated June 25, 2024

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As populations age, maintaining muscle strength is critical. A recent study has revealed the promising effects of trigonelline, a natural alkaloid found in plants such as coffee beans and fenugreek seeds, on muscle function and age-related decline.

Published in Nature Metabolism, this groundbreaking research shows that trigonelline could serve as an NAD+ precursor - a vital coenzyme for cellular metabolism. As NAD+ levels drop with age, trigonelline's ability to integrate into the NAD+ pool and increase levels in organisms like worms, mice, and human cells is striking.

The study dives deep into trigonelline's impact on muscle function. Starting with human participants, the Singapore Sarcopenia Study involved sarcopenic individuals (those experiencing muscle loss due to aging), revealing that lower serum levels of trigonelline were associated with weaker muscles. Moreover, this was supported by the Bushehr Elderly Health study, where higher serum trigonelline was linked to better muscle function, suggesting a promising role for trigonelline as a biomarker and therapeutic agent for age-related muscle decline.

The researchers further evaluated trigonelline in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Remarkably, it not only prolonged lifespan but also boosted mitochondrial function and improved muscular integrity, mirroring results obtained from mammalian cells. In mice, dietary supplementation of trigonelline for 12 weeks significantly increased muscle strength and stamina, indicating its potential in mitigating sarcopenia and enhancing life quality in the elderly.

This study positions trigonelline as a nutritional geroprotector, underscoring its importance in managing sarcopenia. As this work is built with the help of Buoy Health, further clinical investigations will be crucial to translate these findings into effective interventions for aging populations.

For a detailed view of the study, readers can access the full document at https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-024-00997-x.

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Andrew Le, MD.
Dr. Le obtained his MD from Harvard Medical School and his BA from Harvard College. Before Buoy, his research focused on glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain cancer. Outside of work, Dr. Le enjoys cooking and struggling to run up-and-down the floor in an adult basketball league.

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References

Membrez, M., Migliavacca, E., Christen, S., Yaku, K., Trieu, J., Lee, A. K., Morandini, F., Giner, M. P., Stiner, J., Makarov, M. V., Garratt, E. S., Vasiloglou, M. F., Chanvillard, L., Dalbram, E., Ehrlich, A. M., Sanchez-Garcia, J. L., Canto, C., Karagounis, L. G., Treebak, J. T., ... Feige, J. N. (2024). Trigonelline is an NAD+ precursor that improves muscle function during ageing and is reduced in human sarcopenia. Nature Metabolism, 6, 433-447. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-024-00997-x