Positive Correlation Between Serum Limonene Levels and Muscle Health in a Representative Adult Population in the United States
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Monoterpenes, a class of organic compounds with the molecular formula C<sub>10</sub>H<sub>16</sub>, have garnered significant attention for their potential medicinal benefits. Emerging evidence suggests they may positively influence s...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Pharmaceuticals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/1/74 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832587691217125376 |
|---|---|
| author | Chang-Chin Wu Yu-Wei Fang Chikang Wang Chien-Yu Lin |
| author_facet | Chang-Chin Wu Yu-Wei Fang Chikang Wang Chien-Yu Lin |
| author_sort | Chang-Chin Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Monoterpenes, a class of organic compounds with the molecular formula C<sub>10</sub>H<sub>16</sub>, 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. <b>Methods</b>: 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. <b>Results:</b> 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, <i>p</i> = 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, <i>p</i> = 0.004). Furthermore, combined grip strength and ASMI significantly increased across limonene quintiles (<i>p</i> 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. <b>Conclusions:</b> 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-126f610f6ba745bbb0bbcdc32adcc7b2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1424-8247 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmaceuticals |
| spelling | doaj-art-126f610f6ba745bbb0bbcdc32adcc7b22025-01-24T13:45:17ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-01-011817410.3390/ph18010074Positive Correlation Between Serum Limonene Levels and Muscle Health in a Representative Adult Population in the United StatesChang-Chin Wu0Yu-Wei Fang1Chikang Wang2Chien-Yu Lin3Department of Orthopedics, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City 237, TaiwanDivision of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 111, TaiwanDepartment of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 300, TaiwanSchool of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Monoterpenes, a class of organic compounds with the molecular formula C<sub>10</sub>H<sub>16</sub>, 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. <b>Methods</b>: 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. <b>Results:</b> 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, <i>p</i> = 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, <i>p</i> = 0.004). Furthermore, combined grip strength and ASMI significantly increased across limonene quintiles (<i>p</i> 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. <b>Conclusions:</b> 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.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/1/74monoterpeneshand grip strengthlean muscle masslimoneneNational Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) |
| spellingShingle | Chang-Chin Wu Yu-Wei Fang Chikang Wang Chien-Yu Lin Positive Correlation Between Serum Limonene Levels and Muscle Health in a Representative Adult Population in the United States Pharmaceuticals monoterpenes hand grip strength lean muscle mass limonene National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) |
| title | Positive Correlation Between Serum Limonene Levels and Muscle Health in a Representative Adult Population in the United States |
| title_full | Positive Correlation Between Serum Limonene Levels and Muscle Health in a Representative Adult Population in the United States |
| title_fullStr | Positive Correlation Between Serum Limonene Levels and Muscle Health in a Representative Adult Population in the United States |
| title_full_unstemmed | Positive Correlation Between Serum Limonene Levels and Muscle Health in a Representative Adult Population in the United States |
| title_short | Positive Correlation Between Serum Limonene Levels and Muscle Health in a Representative Adult Population in the United States |
| title_sort | positive correlation between serum limonene levels and muscle health in a representative adult population in the united states |
| topic | monoterpenes hand grip strength lean muscle mass limonene National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/1/74 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT changchinwu positivecorrelationbetweenserumlimonenelevelsandmusclehealthinarepresentativeadultpopulationintheunitedstates AT yuweifang positivecorrelationbetweenserumlimonenelevelsandmusclehealthinarepresentativeadultpopulationintheunitedstates AT chikangwang positivecorrelationbetweenserumlimonenelevelsandmusclehealthinarepresentativeadultpopulationintheunitedstates AT chienyulin positivecorrelationbetweenserumlimonenelevelsandmusclehealthinarepresentativeadultpopulationintheunitedstates |