Oral Administration of a Hot Water Extract of the Softshell Turtle (Trionyx sinensis) Improves Exercise Performance

• Published in: Preventive nutrition and food science 2015, 20(2), , pp.133-136
• Main Authors: Harwanto, D., Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea, Lee, G.H., Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea, Park, S.M., Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea, Choi, J.S., Silla University, Busan, Republic of Korea, Kim, M.R., Silla University, Busan, Republic of Korea, Hong, Y.K., Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anti-fatigue,force strength grip,softshell turtle; Research Note; TRIONYX SINENSIS; 식품과학
• ISSN: 2287-1098; 2287-8602
• DOI: 10.3746/pnf.2015.20.2.133

Freshwater softshell turtle (Trionyx sinensis) extract has been used traditionally as a tonic soup, and to recover from physical fatigue. To support these claims, the forelimb grip strength of mice was measured after feeding a softshell turtle extract for 7 days. The T. sinensis extract significantly increased the grip strength to 1.25 +- 0.07 N (P£¼0.01), which is 16.8% higher than the force on day 0. After exercising, the blood glucose levels in extract-fed mice were 202% higher and urea levels were 73% lower, which were both significantly different than the levels observed after control treatment. Lactate dehydrogenase was significantly higher by 314%, and glutathione peroxidase increased by 165%. In addition, the obesity markers, serum triglyceride and cholesterol, decreased to 62% and 49%, respectively, after mice were fed the extract. These data show that the T. sinensis extract provided more energy for forelimb exercise, prevented protein catabolism and muscle fatigue, and decreased the oxidative stress caused by an exhaustive workout.