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Biology2026; 15(6); 481; doi: 10.3390/biology15060481

Proteomic Insights into the Mechanism by Which Ferulic Acid Promotes Skeletal Muscle Fiber Type Conversion in Mongolian Horses.

Abstract: Ferulic acid is a bioactive phenolic compound with potential benefits for skeletal muscle health. In this study, Mongolian horses were used as experimental subjects and were orally administered ferulic acid at doses of 5, 10, or 15 g per horse per day for 40 consecutive days. Muscle biopsy samples were analyzed using proteomics to assess fiber type composition and regulatory protein expression. Ferulic acid supplementation increased the proportion of fast-twitch fibers and upregulated key differentiation factors such as MUSTN1, while modulating glycolysis, ECM remodeling, and calcium signaling pathways. Although ferulic acid induced moderate oxidative stress, it did not trigger classical ferroptosis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that ferulic acid promotes fast-twitch fiber transformation in horses through coordinated metabolic and signaling mechanisms, highlighting its potential as a nutritional strategy to enhance skeletal muscle adaptability and athletic performance in horses.
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Publication Date: 2026-03-18 PubMed ID: 41892243PubMed Central: PMC13024172DOI: 10.3390/biology15060481Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This research investigates how ferulic acid, a natural compound, influences skeletal muscle fiber types in Mongolian horses.
  • The study shows that oral ferulic acid supplementation promotes the conversion of muscle fibers towards fast-twitch types, potentially improving muscle performance through specific metabolic and signaling changes.

Introduction to the Research

  • Ferulic acid: A bioactive phenolic compound found in plant cell walls known for antioxidant and health-promoting properties.
  • Skeletal muscle fibers: Composed mainly of two types – fast-twitch fibers (for quick, powerful movements) and slow-twitch fibers (for endurance and sustained activity).
  • Mongolian horses: Chosen as the experimental subjects due to their remarkable athleticism and muscle adaptability, making them a suitable model for studying muscle fiber composition changes.

Experimental Design

  • Subjects: Mongolian horses.
  • Treatment: Oral administration of ferulic acid at doses of 5, 10, or 15 grams per horse per day.
  • Duration: 40 consecutive days of supplementation.
  • Measurement method: Muscle biopsy samples collected and analyzed using proteomics techniques – a method that studies the entire set of proteins expressed in a tissue.
  • Focus of analysis:
    • Muscle fiber type composition (e.g., assessment of proportion of fast vs. slow fibers).
    • Expression of regulatory proteins involved in muscle differentiation and function.

Key Findings

  • Fiber type composition: Ferulic acid supplementation notably increased the proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers.
  • Protein expression changes:
    • Upregulation of MUSTN1, a critical factor for muscle cell differentiation and development.
    • Modulation of pathways involved in:
      • Glycolysis – the process by which glucose is broken down to produce energy rapidly, which is characteristic of fast-twitch fibers.
      • Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling – restructuring of the tissue environment that supports muscle adaptation.
      • Calcium signaling – important for muscle contraction and fiber type regulation.
  • Oxidative stress and ferroptosis:
    • Ferulic acid induced a moderate increase in oxidative stress within muscle tissue.
    • However, this did not lead to ferroptosis, a specific form of regulated cell death associated with iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, indicating controlled oxidative changes rather than damage.

Interpretation of Results

  • The increase in fast-twitch fibers suggests ferulic acid can shift muscle composition toward fibers suited for rapid, forceful movements, likely beneficial for horse athletic performance.
  • MUSTN1 upregulation implies ferulic acid promotes muscle cell differentiation and fiber type remodeling on a molecular level.
  • Alterations in glycolysis and calcium signaling pathways support a metabolic and functional reprogramming of muscle tissue consistent with fast-fiber characteristics.
  • Maintenance of ECM remodeling is crucial in adapting muscle structure to new fiber types and functional demands.
  • Controlled oxidative stress without triggering ferroptosis suggests ferulic acid’s effects are balanced, promoting beneficial adaptations rather than pathological damage.

Significance and Potential Applications

  • This study highlights ferulic acid as a promising nutritional intervention to enhance skeletal muscle adaptability, potentially improving speed, power, and overall athletic performance in horses.
  • Findings may guide future work on dietary supplements for animal athletes and possibly contribute insights relevant to human muscle health and rehabilitation.
  • The use of proteomic analysis provided a comprehensive view of protein-level changes underlying the physiological effects, facilitating deeper understanding of muscle fiber conversion processes.

Cite This Article

APA
Gong W, Ding W, Bou T, Shi L, Lin Y, Shi X, Li Z, Wu H, Dugarjaviin M, Bai D. (2026). Proteomic Insights into the Mechanism by Which Ferulic Acid Promotes Skeletal Muscle Fiber Type Conversion in Mongolian Horses. Biology (Basel), 15(6), 481. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15060481

Publication

Biology
ISSN: 2079-7737
NlmUniqueID: 101587988
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 6
PII: 481

Researcher Affiliations

Gong, Wendian
  • Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Ding, Wenqi
  • Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Bou, Tugeqin
  • Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Shi, Lin
  • Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Lin, Yanan
  • Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Shi, Xiaoyuan
  • Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Li, Zheng
  • Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Wu, Huize
  • Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Dugarjaviin, Manglai
  • Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Bai, Dongyi
  • Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.

Grant Funding

  • U23A20224 / the National Natural Science Region Joint Foundation
  • 2020ZD0004 / Department of Science and Technology of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sub-project of Major Science and Technology Project of Autonomous Region
  • 2021ZD0018 / Department of Science and Technology of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Major science and technology Project of the autonomous region
  • RK2300003651 / Identification of equine germplasm resources
  • BR22-11-03 / University basic research Funds - Seed industry revitalization leading talents
  • BR230405 / Inner Mongolia Agricultural University outstanding youth science fund cultivation project
  • YLXKZX-NND-007 / Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Department of Education first-class scientific research project

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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