Background
Cordyceps sinensis, a parasitic fungus known for inducing immune responses, has unknown effects on stem cell recruitment and expansion in human skeletal muscle post-exercise.
Methods
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, 14 young adults (age 24 ± 0.8) received either Cordyceps (1 g) or placebo before high-intensity interval exercise. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis were analyzed before and after exercise.
Results
Cordyceps reduced exercise-induced necrotic cell infiltration and accelerated CD34+ cell recruitment to 3 hours post-exercise (+51%, P = 0.002), leading to a four-fold increase in Pax7+ cells (P = 0.01).
Conclusions
Cordyceps supplementation speeds up muscle regeneration by enhancing stem cell recruitment post-exercise.
Source: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2024/FO/D3FO03770C
