Int J Sports Med 2017; 38(11): 809-818
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-115738
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comprehensive Analytics of Actovegin® and Its Effect on Muscle Cells

Franz-Xaver Reichl
1   Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
,
Lesca Miriam Holdt
2   Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen, Munchen, Germany
,
Daniel Teupser
2   Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen, Munchen, Germany
,
Gregor Schütze
2   Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen, Munchen, Germany
,
Alan J. Metcalfe
3   Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, Deutsche Sporthochschule Koln, Koln, Germany
,
Reinhard Hickel
1   Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
,
Christof Högg
1   Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
,
Wilhelm Bloch
3   Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, Deutsche Sporthochschule Koln, Koln, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 21 June 2017

Publication Date:
11 September 2017 (online)

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Abstract

The ingredients of Actovegin® were analyzed and its effects on the muscle cell proliferation were investigated. C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in medium. Actovegin® was added in five different concentrations (1, 5, 25, 125, and 250 µg) to the differentiation medium. The formations of proliferation factor Ki67 and myosin heavy chains were measured by immunofluorescence. The first primary antibody was anti-Ki67 and anti-Mf20. Cells were washed and treated with the second fluorochrome. Thirty-one Actovegin® ingredients were found to contain significantly higher concentrations and twenty-nine ingredients were found to contain significantly lower concentrations, compared to the mean ranges as described in the literature for the normal physiological concentrations in human adult serum/plasma. A significant increase in the formation of Ki67 was observed in Actovegin® groups, compared to controls. The mean area of myotubes was significantly increased in Actovegin® groups. A significant decrease in the number of myotubes was observed. An increased myotube size (fusion) was observed. The intensity of Mf20 was significantly increased in Actovegin® groups. It could be demonstrated that Actovegin® contains many physiological substances in significantly higher and some in lower concentrations compared to human adult serum. Furthermore, it could be shown that Actovegin® improves muscle cell proliferation.