Mitochondria-targeted nutraceuticals in sports medicine: a new perspective

ABSTRACT

Since mitochondria have been recognized as the cells’ key organelles involved in the energy utilization during exercise, targeting the organelle with specifically designed compounds (mitochondria-targeted nutraceuticals, MTNs) may have a great promise in the prevention and treatment of heavy exercise-related mitochondrial dysfunction. In vitro studies suggested that MTNs have antioxidant effects at the molecular level, and might boost mitochondrial biogenesis and organelle bioenergetics, with both processes are known to positively affect exercise performance and recovery. However, while there are a number of different MTNs evaluated for a potential benefit as a therapy for mitochondria-related diseases and conditions, only few human studies evaluated the possible impact of novel MTNs in the field of sports medicine. This mini review summarizes recent research findings regarding the efficacy of different mitochondria-targeted nutritional agents, emphasizing their roles in sports medicine.

KEYWORDS:

• Mitochondrial dysfunction
• exercise
• small molecule antioxidants
• resveratrol
• quercetin

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to Aleksanda Vojvodic – Ostojic (University of Belgrade) for her assistance during the preparation of chemical structure illustrations for different mitochondria-targeted nutraceuticals.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Serbian Ministry of Science: [Grant Number 175037), and by the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education (Annual Award for 2015). The funders had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.