Stigmasterol Protects Against Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy by Modulating the FoxO3-MuRF1/MAFbx Signaling Pathway in C2C12 Myotubes and Mouse Skeletal Muscle.

ABSTRACT: Glucocorticoid therapy, using agents like dexamethasone (Dexa), often leads to muscle atrophy by increasing protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome system while suppressing protein synthesis. Stigmasterol, a phytosterol with known bioactivities, has an unexplored role in muscle atrophy. This study investigated stigmasterol's protective effects against Dexa-induced muscle atrophy and its impact on the FoxO3 and mTORC1 signaling pathways. Differentiated C2C12 myotubes were treated with Dexa (50 µM) ± stigmasterol (10 µM), and the morphology, viability, and protein levels in the FoxO3/MuRF1/MAFbx catabolic and mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 anabolic signaling pathways were assessed. C57BL/6 mice received Dexa (20 mg/kg/day i.p.) ± stigmasterol (3 mg/kg/day oral) for 21 days, and the body/muscle

SUBMITTER: Hah YS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12650398 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature