Study Title: (-)-Epicatechin stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis and cell growth in C2C12 myotubes via the G-protein coupled estrogen receptor
Citation: Moreno-Ulloa et al., 2018 · European Journal of Pharmacology
What the Study Found: In cultured C2C12 myotubes, (−)-epicatechin (3 and 10 µM) increased mitochondrial inner and outer membrane markers, NRF-2, TFAM, and citrate synthase activity. It also promoted myotube growth (longer and wider cells). These effects were largely mediated by the G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), as shown by receptor blockade and siRNA knockdown.
What this means in real life: Mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle cells is essential for energy production and tissue growth, but it can slow down with age or stress. This study demonstrates that (−)-epicatechin directly stimulates biogenesis and cell growth through the GPER pathway, mimicking some of estrogen’s protective effects on mitochondria. Supporting mitochondrial health helps keep muscle cells energetically robust and responsive to training or daily demands.
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