Wu Chang-Chin, Fang Yu-Wei, Wang Chikang, Lin Chien-Yu
Department of Orthopedics, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City 237, Taiwan.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2025 Jan 10;18(1):74. doi: 10.3390/ph18010074.
Monoterpenes, a class of organic compounds with the molecular formula CH, have garnered significant attention for their potential medicinal benefits. Emerging evidence suggests they may positively influence skeletal muscle function. However, the impact of monoterpene exposure on muscle strength and mass in humans remains unclear. : To explore this relationship, we analyzed data from 1202 adults (aged ≥ 18 years) who participated in the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), focusing on serum levels of three specific monoterpenes-α-pinene, β-pinene, and limonene-and their association with hand grip strength and lean muscle mass. Our analysis revealed that, except for test 2 of hand 1, all grip strength measures showed a positive correlation with ln-limonene levels. The β coefficient for combined grip strength was 2.409 (S.E. = 0.891, = 0.015). Positive associations were also found between serum limonene levels and lean muscle mass. The β coefficient for the Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (ASMI) was 0.138 (S.E. = 0.041, = 0.004). Furthermore, combined grip strength and ASMI significantly increased across limonene quintiles ( for trend = 0.005 and 0.006, respectively). However, none of the three monoterpene levels showed a significant association with clinically defined low muscle mass or low muscle strength. Our findings suggest a plausible association between exposure to limonene, hand grip strength, and lean muscle mass among adults in the United States. Further investigation is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and medical significance of this association.
单萜类化合物是一类分子式为CH的有机化合物，因其潜在的药用价值而备受关注。新出现的证据表明，它们可能对骨骼肌功能产生积极影响。然而，单萜类化合物暴露对人体肌肉力量和质量的影响仍不清楚。为了探究这种关系，我们分析了1202名成年人（年龄≥18岁）的数据，这些人参与了2013 - 2014年国家健康和营养检查调查（NHANES），重点关注三种特定单萜类化合物——α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯和柠檬烯的血清水平，以及它们与握力和瘦肌肉质量的关联。我们的分析表明，除了右手的测试2外，所有握力测量值均与ln-柠檬烯水平呈正相关。联合握力的β系数为2.409（标准误 = 0.891，P = 0.015）。血清柠檬烯水平与瘦肌肉质量之间也发现了正相关。附属骨骼肌质量指数（ASMI）的β系数为0.138（标准误 = 0.041，P = 0.004）。此外，联合握力和ASMI在柠檬烯五分位数中显著增加（趋势P分别为0.005和0.006）。然而，三种单萜类化合物水平均未显示与临床定义的低肌肉质量或低肌肉力量有显著关联。我们的研究结果表明，在美国成年人中，接触柠檬烯、握力和瘦肌肉质量之间可能存在一种合理的关联。需要进一步研究以充分了解这种关联的潜在机制和医学意义。
