Compound in blueberries may help muscle cells burn excess fat

Excess fat stored in skeletal muscle cells can disrupt normal function and raise the risk of metabolic diseases. Researchers at Shinshu University in Japan have identified a compound called pterostilbene, found in blueberries, that may help prevent this issue. Pterostilbene is a polyphenol that stabilizes a protein called PPARδ and influences fat metabolism in muscle cells.

Previous research suggested pterostilbene had positive effects on metabolism in the liver and fat tissue, but its impact on skeletal muscle was less clear. The Japanese team tested pterostilbene and other food-derived compounds on cultured mouse muscle cells, finding that pterostilbene was highly effective at reducing lipid accumulation in muscle cells without affecting normal muscle growth.

The treated cells showed increased breakdown of stored fat and greater activity of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation. Importantly, pterostilbene did not work by blocking fatty acid entry but rather by increasing PPARδ levels inside the cells. The researchers discovered that pterostilbene increased PPARδ levels by preventing its breakdown through the cellular degradation pathway.

This stabilization of PPARδ boosted the transcription of genes linked to lipid metabolism. While the findings show pterostilbene's potential as a natural treatment for muscle fat metabolism, further studies are needed to confirm its effects in live animals and humans. The results provide a foundation for developing dietary interventions that could help combat metabolic diseases.