Role and Mechanism of Theaflavins in Regulating Skeletal Muscle Inflammation

Persistent inflammatory infiltration of skeletal muscle
is a principal
trigger for the loss of muscle mass and strength. Theaflavins, the
main functional components of black tea, have effects on muscle health,
but their biological effects on skeletal muscle inflammation are unclear.
We constructed in vitro and in vivo models of muscle inflammation
and found that theaflavins reduced the expression of inflammatory
factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB
signaling pathway to alleviate muscle inflammation. In addition, TF1
can regulate the metabolic function of skeletal muscle under inflammatory
conditions, reduce the content of proinflammatory substances, improve
the mechanical properties (stiffness and roughness) of the surface
of inflammatory myotubes, and promote the recovery of muscle after
an inflammatory injury. In conclusion, theaflavins may serve as a
diet-derived anti-inflammatory factor with potential modulatory effects
on skeletal muscle metabolism and mechanical properties in an inflammatory
environment.