C60 fullerene as promising therapeutic agent for correcting and preventing skeletal muscle fatigue

Background: Bioactive soluble carbon nanostructures, such as the C-60 fullerene can bond with up to six electrons, thus serving by a powerful scavenger of reactive oxygen species similarly to many natural antioxidants, widely used to decrease the muscle fatigue effects. The aim of the study is to define action of the pristine C-60 fullerene aqueous colloid solution (C(60)FAS), on the post-fatigue recovering of m. triceps surae in anaesthetized rats. Results: During fatigue development, we observed decrease in the muscle effort level before C(60)FAS administration. After the application of C(60)FAS, a slower effort decrease, followed by the prolonged retention of a certain level, was recorded. An analysis of the metabolic process changes accompanying muscle fatigue showed an increase in the oxidative stress markers H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) and TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) in relation to the intact muscles. After C(60)FAS administration, the TBARS content and H2O2 level were decreased. The endogenous antioxidant system demonstrated a similar effect because the GSH (reduced glutathione) in the muscles and the CAT (catalase) enzyme activity were increased during fatigue. Conclusions: C(60)FAS leads to reduction in the recovery time of the muscle contraction force and to increase in the time of active muscle functioning before appearance of steady fatigue effects. Therefore, it is possible that C(60)FAS affects the prooxidant-antioxidant muscle tissue homeostasis, subsequently increasing muscle endurance.