The Claim

Ractopamine increases mRNA expression of sestrin-2 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (Cdkn1a) in pig skeletal muscle.

Source: The Beta-adrenergic agonist, Ractopamine, increases skeletal muscle expression of Asparagine Synthetase as part of an integrated stress response gene program

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
19score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

How it works
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Ractopamine raises the levels of sestrin-2 and Cdkn1a messenger RNA in pig skeletal muscle.

See the scientific wording

Ractopamine increases mRNA expression of sestrin-2 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (Cdkn1a) in pig skeletal muscle, which are negative regulators of cellular growth, suggesting a counter-regulatory stress response to anabolic stimulation.

Why this might work

Ractopamine activates receptors on muscle cells that trigger a stress response inside the cell, leading to the production of a protein called ATF5. This protein turns on genes that stop cell growth, including sestrin-2 and CDKN1A, which block key pathways that drive protein synthesis and cell division.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: The Beta-adrenergic agonist, Ractopamine, increases skeletal muscle expression of Asparagine Synthetase as part of an integrated stress response gene program

    Even though ractopamine helps pigs grow more muscle, the study found it also turns on two genes that act like brakes to slow down cell growth — probably to keep things from getting out of control.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

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