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Study Title:
(-)-Epicatechin induces mitochondrial biogenesis and markers of muscle regeneration in adults with Becker muscular dystrophy
Citation:
McDonald et al., 2021. Muscle & Nerve
What the Study Found: In a single-center, open-label pilot study, seven ambulatory men with Becker muscular dystrophy took (−)-epicatechin 50 mg twice daily for eight weeks. Muscle biopsy analyses showed changes in bioenergetic regulators, mitochondrial cristae abundance, follistatin/myostatin balance, and proteins associated with muscle regeneration. Electron-microscopy measurements of mitochondrial volume did not show a statistically significant overall increase. The study found no statistically significant improvement in six-minute walk distance or standard strength and functional tests, although selected exercise-related measures changed. There was no placebo group.
What this means in real life: These results suggest that purified (−)-epicatechin may influence certain muscle-cell biomarkers in people with Becker muscular dystrophy. However, with only seven participants and no control group, the trial does not demonstrate improved muscle strength, restored function, or slowed disease progression. Larger controlled clinical studies would be necessary before treating this as an effective therapy.
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