Effects of Resveratrol on Gastrocnemius Muscle Fiber Cross-Sectional Area and Capillarization in Sarcopenic Mice

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology | Vol. 15, No. 10, October 2026 | pp. 82–90

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/001010

Research Article

Title: Effects of Resveratrol on Gastrocnemius Muscle Fiber Cross-Sectional Area and Capillarization in Sarcopenic Mice

Names of Authors: C. I. Dubois¹, K. L. Meyer²*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹ Laboratory of Muscle Biology and Histology, Sorbonne University, Paris, France.
² Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Abstract:
Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass, structural fiber atrophy, and a reduction in capillary-to-fiber ratios. This study investigated the protective effects of resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, on the microvascular networks and skeletal muscle fiber architecture of senescent mice. Twenty-four 20-month-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to either a Control Sarcopenic group (standard diet) or a Resveratrol group (diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg/day) for 10 weeks. Gastrocnemius muscle samples were harvested, cryosectioned, and stained using myosin heavy chain immunofluorescence and alkaline phosphatase staining to evaluate the capillary beds. The mean cross-sectional area (CSA) of type IIa fast-twitch fibers in the resveratrol-treated mice increased significantly compared to controls (1840 ± 120 μm² vs. 1420 ± 95 μm²; p < 0.01). Resveratrol supplementation significantly enhanced the capillary-to-fiber ratio within the deep mixed region of the muscle (1.65 ± 0.12 vs. 1.22 ± 0.08 in controls; p < 0.05). Furthermore, western blot analysis demonstrated an up-regulation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) expressions in the treated group. These histomorphometric and molecular findings reveal that resveratrol mitigates sarcopenic muscular degeneration by preserving fast-twitch fiber size and promoting capillary angiogenic pathways, offering a viable strategy for age-related functional decline.

Keywords: Sarcopenia, Resveratrol, Gastrocnemius, Muscle fiber cross-sectional area, Angiogenesis.

Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 02, 2026; Revised: August 19, 2026; Accepted: September 10, 2026; Published: October 07, 2026.

Citation: Dubois CI, Meyer KL. Effects of Resveratrol on Gastrocnemius Muscle Fiber Cross-Sectional Area and Capillarization in Sarcopenic Mice. International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology. 2026; 15(10): 82–90. doi:10.46882/2026/IJAP/001010

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