Myotube/Adipocyte Powder-Enriched Alginate-Zein Hydrogels Support Myotube Alignment for 3D Myoblast Culture
Kamel J., Lee JY., Yadav CJ., Afrin S., Yadav U., Han SS.
Laboratory Study, published in Foods (2026) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.
Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.
- Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
- Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
- Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
- Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
- Emerging · Emerging topic under active research
This page is generated from the PubMed record. The Thai description is an automated summary of bibliographic fields and the abstract, not a full translation, and is not medical advice.
- Study type
- Laboratory Study
- Journal
- Foods (2026)
- Reported sample size
- —
- Source database
- Europe PMC
- PMID
- 41683109
- PMCID
- PMC12897132
- DOI
- 10.3390/foods15030522
- Citations
- 1
Abstract (original English)
Recent advances in cultured-meat research emphasize the development of edible scaffolds that promote myogenic differentiation. Nonetheless, many materials provide only structural support and do not replicate native muscle or serve as alternatives to muscle-adipocyte co-culture, highlighting the need for cytocompatible, tissue-specific scaffolds. This study aimed to develop a composite alginate-zein (Algi/zein) hydrogel enriched with myotube (MP) and adipocyte (AP) powders to provide a structural, biochemical, and potentially cultured-meat hydrogel. Algi/zein hydrogels enriched with myotube (MP) and adipocyte (AP) powders were fabricated and evaluated for structural, cellular, and biochemical properties using C2C12 myoblasts cultured in 2D and 3D environments. Metabolite profiling was performed to evaluate the biochemical features. MP/AP incorporation generated extra cellular matrix (ECM)-like microstructures and significantly enhanced myotube alignment in Algi/zein scaffolds compared with MP/AP-free controls, increasing the proportion of axially aligned fibers by up to ~6-fold at a 1:1 AP:MP ratio. Organized myosin expression was observed, while metabolomic profiling indicated partial biochemical similarity to beef. Incorporating MP and AP into Algi/zein hydrogels enhanced myotube alignment and showed partial structural and biochemical similarity to native muscle tissue.
What this study does not prove
- • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.
- • This is preclinical work; animal or laboratory results cannot be applied to humans.
Evidence level
Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.
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