Effect of ginger extract ingestion on skeletal muscle glycogen contents and endurance exercise in male rats

[Purpose] Skeletal muscle glycogen is a determinant of endurance capacity for some athletes. Ginger is well known to possess nutritional effects, such as anti-diabetic effects. We hypothesized that ginger extract (GE) ingestion increases skeletal muscle glycogen by enhancing fat oxidation. Thus, we investigated the effect of GE ingestion on exercise capacity, skeletal muscle glycogen, and certain blood metabolites in exercised rats. [Methods] First, we evaluated the influence of GE ingestion on body weight and elevation of exercise performance in rats fed with different volumes of GE. Next, we measured the skeletal muscle glycogen content and free fatty acid (FFA) levels in GE-fed rats. Finally, we demonstrated that GE ingestion contributes to endurance capacity during intermittent exercise to exhaustion. [Results] We confirmed that GE ingestion increased exercise performance (p<0.05) and elevated the skeletal muscle glycogen content compared to the non- GE-fed (CE, control exercise) group before exercise (Soleus: p<0.01, Plantaris: p<0.01, Gastrocnemius: p<0.05). Blood FFA levels in the GE group were significantly higher than those in the CE group after exercise (p<0.05). Moreover, we demonstrated that exercise capacity was maintained in the CE group during intermittent exercise (p<0.05). [Conclusion] These findings indicate that GE ingestion increases skeletal muscle glycogen content and exercise performance through the upregulation of fat oxidation.

Indirect Assessment of Skeletal Muscle Glycogen Content in Professional Soccer Players before and after a Match through a Non-Invasive Ultrasound Technology

Skeletal muscle glycogen (SMG) stores in highly glycolytic activities regulate muscle contraction by controlling calcium release and uptake from sarcoplasmic reticulum, which could affect muscle contraction. Historically, the assessment of SMG was performed through invasive and non-practical muscle biopsies. In this study we have utilized a novel methodology to assess SMG through a non-invasive high-frequency ultrasound. Nine MLS professional soccer players (180.4 ± 5.9 cm; 72.4 ± 9.3 kg; 10.4% ± 0.7% body fat) participated. All followed the nutritional protocol 24 h before the official match as well as performing the same practice program the entire week leading to the match. The SMG decreased from 80 ± 8.6 to 63.9 ± 10.2; p = 0.005 on MuscleSound® score (0–100) representing a 20% ± 10.4% decrease in muscle glycogen after match. Inter-individual differences in both starting glycogen content (65–90) and in percentage decrease in glycogen after the match (between 6.2% and 44.5%). Some players may not start the match with adequate SMG while others’ SMG decreased significantly throughout the game. Adequate pre-match SMG should be achieved during half-time and game-play in order to mitigate the decrease in glycogen. Further and more ample studies are needed before the application of this technology.

Glikogen Otot Rangka Ayam Broiler (Gallus gallus) setelah Pemberian Teh Kombucha dalam Air Minum

Kombucha tea beverage obtained by fermenting sweetened green tea for 12 days with Acetobacter xylinum and Saccharomyces which produce various kinds of organic acids, vitamins, and acts as a probiotic. The role of kombucha tea as a growth promoter is to that improve the metabolic process in the digestion of broiler chickens, so that nutrients can and fulfilled optimally for growth and development. The aim of this research was to analyze the sceletal muscle glycogen glycogen (Gallus gallus) after treat with kombucha tea in drinking water. Kombucha tea used is the result of fermentation of green tea for 12 days. This research used DOC chickens (Day Old Chicken) as much as 20 randomly divided into 4 treatments with concentration ie 0%, 10%, 20%, and 40% kombucha tea in drinking water for 32 days. The variables measured were skeletal muscle glycogen levels, body weight, feed consumption and drink consumption. The data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Duncan Test with 95% confidence level using SPSS 17.0 software. The results of this study showed that kombucha tea on skeletal muscle glycogen and feed consumption showed no significant difference, while on body weight and drink consumption showed significantly different results. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that giving kombucha tea in drinking water to a concentration of 40% has not been able to affect the skeletal muscle glycogen in broiler chickens. Key words: Kombucha tea, broiler chicken, glycogen skeletal muscle