Investigating the Efficacy of Low or High Dose Tart Cherry on Recovery From Exercise Induced Muscle Damage and Establishing Its Molecular Mechanisms of Action
Condition: Muscle Recovery
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      To determine the dose-response effects of 10-day tart cherry product consumption (0, 30 ml,
      and 60 ml) on knee extensor isometric strength 24-h and 48-h after muscle damaging exercise
      and to elucidate the mechanisms of action for TC supplementation.
    

Detailed description: 
      Montmorency cherry supplementation has been shown to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
      effects that can be beneficial for improving recovery from exercise. However, the
      investigator is currently not aware of how tart cherry polyphenol supplementation produces
      these effects. This study aims to determine the dose-response effects of 10-day tart cherry
      product consumption (placebo, 30 ml, and 60 ml Montmorency tart cherry concentrate in a 500
      ml beverage) on knee extensor isometric strength 24-h and 48-h after muscle damaging exercise
      on supplementation Day 8; on enhancing recovery of other measures of muscle function (single
      leg eccentric and concentric force development and single leg jump height) and muscle
      soreness; on reducing markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in plasma, muscle and
      urine; on inducing signaling in muscle via the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2
      (Nrf2) pathway to upregulate endogenous antioxidant enzymes in muscle; on inhibiting muscle
      cyclo-oxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).

      This study also aims to identify and establish the molecular mechanisms of action through
      which tart cherry polyphenols exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Oxidative
      stress and inflammatory signaling in primary human myogenic cells will be assessed by
      incubating primary human myogenic cells (commercial cell line) in sera derived from 6
      participants consuming 8-day placebo vs. 60 ml/day Montmorency tart cherry concentrate
      supplement. Subjects are permitted to participate in both the molecular mechanism of action
      part of the study (Part A, no exercise component) and the damaging exercise muscle recovery
      part of the study (Part B).

      For 60 ml doses in Parts A and B, global proteomics analysis of the muscle tissue will be
      conducted generate more insight into the mechanisms of action. This would identify the
      specific pathways that are influenced by cherry supplementation and allow identification of
      the full range of mechanisms involved, rather than assume antioxidant/anti-inflammatory
      effects alone.
    

Intervention name(s): 500 ml base solution; 500 ml containing 30 ml tart cherry concentrate diluted with water and base solution; 500 ml containing 60 ml tart cherry concentrate diluted with water only
Intervention type(s): Other; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Color, taste, aroma, and calorie matched water base; Montmorency cherry concentrate; Montmorency cherry concentrate
Intervention MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Solutions
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: Repeated measures, double-blind, counter-balanced
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: cherry; tart cherry; Montmorency cherry; beverage; exercise; muscle recovery; muscle soreness; muscle damage; muscle function; muscle strength; muscle biopsy; mechanism; oxidative stress; inflammation; anthocyanin; polyphenol; antioxidant; cyclo-oxygenase; myotube; mygenic culture