Time course of myogenic and metabolic gene expression in response to acute exercise in human skeletal muscle

Myocellular basis for tapering in competitive distance runners

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 3-wk taper on the physiology of competitive distance runners. We studied seven collegiate distance runners (20 ± 1 yr, 66 ± 1 kg) before and after a 3-wk taper. The primary measures included 8-km cross-country race performance, gastrocnemius single muscle fiber size and function (peak force, shortening velocity, and power), baseline and exercise-induced gene expression 4 h after a standardized 8-km run, citrate synthase activity, and maximal and submaximal cardiovascular physiology (oxygen consumption, ventilation, heart rate, and respiratory exchange ratio). Race performance improved by 3% following taper ( P < 0.05). Myosin heavy chain (MHC) IIa fiber diameter (+7%, P < 0.05), peak force (+11%, P = 0.06), and absolute power (+9%, P < 0.05) increased following taper. In addition to the MHC IIa adaptations, taper elicited a distinct postexercise gene response. Specifically, the induction of MuRF-1 was attenuated following taper, whereas MRF4, HSP 72, and MT-2A displayed an exaggerated response ( P < 0.05). No changes were observed in MHC I size or function, baseline gene expression, citrate synthase activity, or cardiovascular function. Our findings show that tapered training in competitive runners promoted MHC IIa fiber remodeling and an altered transcriptional response following the same exercise perturbation, with no adverse affects on aerobic fitness. Together, these results provide a myocellular basis for distance runners to taper in preparation for peak performance.

Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway in the liver of mice is related to plasma glucose levels after acute exercise

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

We aimed to identify, in the liver of mice, signal transduction pathways that show a pronounced regulation by acute exercise. We also aimed to elucidate the role of metabolic stress in this response.

METHODS

C57Bl6 mice performed a 60 min run on a treadmill under non-exhaustive conditions. Hepatic RNA and protein lysates were prepared immediately after running and used for whole-genome-expression analysis, quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting. A subset of mice recovered for 3 h after the treadmill run. A further group of mice performed the treadmill run after having received a vitamin C- and vitamin E-enriched diet over 4 weeks.

RESULTS

The highest number of genes differentially regulated by exercise in the liver was found in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway, with a pronounced and transient upregulation of the transcription factors encoded by c-Fos (also known as Fos), c-Jun (also known as Jun), FosB (also known as Fosb) and JunB (also known as Junb) and phosphorylation of hepatic MAPK. Acute exercise also activated the p53 signalling pathway. A major role for oxidative stress is unlikely since the antioxidant-enriched diet did not prevent the activation of the MAPK pathway. In contrast, lower plasma glucose levels after running were related to enhanced levels of MAPK signalling proteins, similar to the upregulation of Igfbp1 and Pgc-1alpha (also known as Ppargc1a). In the working muscle the activation of the MAPK pathway was weak and not related to plasma glucose concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Metabolic stress evidenced as low plasma glucose levels appears to be an important determinant for the activation of the MAPK signalling pathway and the transcriptional response of the liver to acute exercise.

Protective role of alpha-actinin-3 in the response to an acute eccentric exercise bout

The ACTN3 gene encodes for the alpha-actinin-3 protein, which has an important structural function in the Z line of the sarcomere in fast muscle fibers. A premature stop codon (R577X) polymorphism in the ACTN3 gene causes a complete loss of the protein in XX homozygotes. This study investigates a possible role for the alpha-actinin-3 protein in protecting the fast fiber from eccentric damage and studies repair mechanisms after a single eccentric exercise bout. Nineteen healthy young men (10 XX, 9 RR) performed 4 series of 20 maximal eccentric knee extensions with both legs. Blood (creatine kinase; CK) and muscle biopsy samples were taken to study differential expression of several anabolic (MyoD1, myogenin, MRF4, Myf5, IGF-1), catabolic (myostatin, MAFbx, and MURF-1), and contraction-induced muscle damage marker genes [cysteine- and glycine-rich protein 3 (CSRP3), CARP, HSP70, and IL-6] as well as a calcineurin signaling pathway marker (RCAN1). Baseline mRNA content of CSRP3 and MyoD1 was 49 + or - 12 and 67 + or - 25% higher in the XX compared with the RR group (P = 0.01-0.045). However, satellite cell number was not different between XX and RR individuals. After eccentric exercise, XX individuals tended to have higher serum CK activity (P = 0.10) and had higher pain scores than RR individuals. However, CSRP3 (P = 0.058) and MyoD1 (P = 0.08) mRNA expression tended to be higher after training in RR individuals compared with XX alpha-actinin-3-deficient subjects. This study suggests a protective role of alpha-actinin-3 protein in muscle damage after eccentric training and an improved stress-sensor signaling, although effects are small.

Effects of different intensities of resistance exercise on regulators of myogenesis

A single bout of high-intensity resistance exercise is capable of activating the expression of various genes in skeletal muscle involved in hypertrophy such as myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms, myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), and growth factors. However, the specific role exercise intensity plays on the expression of these genes is not well defined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise intensity on MHC (type I, IIA, IIX), MRF (Myo-D, myogenin, MRF-4, myf5), and growth factor (insulin-like growth factor [IGF]-1, IGF-1 receptor [IGF-R1], mechano-growth factor [MGF]) mRNA expression. Thirteen male participants (21.5 +/- 2.9 years, 86.1 +/- 19.5 kg, 69.7 +/- 2.7 in.) completed bouts of resistance exercise involving 4 sets of 18-20 repetitions with 60-65% 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and 4 sets of 8-10 repetitions with 80-85% 1RM. Vastus lateralis biopsies were obtained immediately before exercise, and at 30 minutes, 2 hours, and 6 hours after each bout. The levels of mRNA expression were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed using 2 x 4 multivariate analysis of variance (p Collapse

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Affiliation(s)

Colin D Wilborn Department of Exercise Sport Science, University of Mary Hardin Baylor, Belton, Texas, USA
Lemuel W Taylor
Michael Greenwood
Richard B Kreider
Darryn S Willoughby

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Resistance exercise, skeletal muscle FOXO3A, and 85-year-old women

This investigation examined Akt-FOXO3A signaling in young women (YW) and old women (OW) before and after 12 weeks of high-intensity resistance training. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis before and immediately after resistance exercise (RE) in the untrained and trained states. In response to RE in YW and OW, phospho Akt Thr308 increased in untrained and trained states, with no change on Ser473 site. FOXO3A-Ser253 site was dephosphorylated in untrained state among YW and OW, and nuclear phospho-FOXO3A increased mainly in YW in trained state. In the basal state, OW displayed lower cytosolic phospho-FOXO3A before training, higher total nuclear FOXO3A, and a trend for higher nuclear-to-cytosolic FOXO3A ratio versus YW after 12 weeks. Basal level MuRF-1 and myostatin mRNA decreased in YW, while OW increased myostatin mRNA after 12-weeks. These data suggest that FOXO3A signaling and FOXO3A-related target gene expression are altered in OW and may partially explain the attenuated training adaptations previously reported in these octogenarian women.

Effect of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor on postexercise muscle protein synthesis in humans

Nonselective blockade of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes in skeletal muscle eliminates the normal increase in muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise. The current study tested the hypothesis that this COX-mediated increase in postexercise muscle protein synthesis is regulated specifically by the COX-2 isoform. Sixteen males (23 +/- 1 yr) were randomly assigned to one of two groups that received three doses of either a selective COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib; 200 mg/dose, 600 mg total) or a placebo in double-blind fashion during the 24 h following a single bout of knee extensor resistance exercise. At rest and 24 h postexercise, skeletal muscle protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR) was measured using a primed constant infusion of [(2)H(5)]phenylalanine coupled with muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis, and measurements were made of mRNA and protein expression of COX-1 and COX-2. Mixed muscle protein FSR in response to exercise (P < 0.05) was not suppressed by the COX-2 inhibitor (0.056 +/- 0.004 to 0.108 +/- 0.014%/h) compared with placebo (0.074 +/- 0.004 to 0.091 +/- 0.005%/h), nor was there any difference (P > 0.05) between the placebo and COX-2 inhibitor postexercise when controlling for resting FSR. The COX-2 inhibitor did not influence COX-1 mRNA, COX-1 protein, or COX-2 protein levels, whereas it did increase (P < 0.05) COX-2 mRNA (3.0 +/- 0.9-fold) compared with placebo (1.3 +/- 0.3-fold). It appears that the elimination of the postexercise muscle protein synthesis response by nonselective COX inhibitors is not solely due to COX-2 isoform blockade. Furthermore, the current data suggest that the COX-1 enzyme is likely the main isoform responsible for the COX-mediated increase in muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise in humans.

Intramuscular adaptations to eccentric exercise and antioxidant supplementation

Prophylactic supplementation of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was studied for physiological and cellular changes in skeletal muscle after eccentric muscle contractions. Thirty healthy, active males (20.0 +/- 1.8 years, 160 +/- 7.1 cm, 76.1 +/- 17.0 kg) ingested for 14 days either 1,800 mg of NAC, 1,800 mg of EGCG, or 1,000 mg of fiber (glucomannan) placebo (PLC) in a double blind, prophylactic fashion. Subjects completed one eccentric exercise bout (100 repetitions at 30 degrees /s) using the dominant knee extensors. Strength and soreness were assessed, and blood and muscle samples obtained before and 6, 24, 48, and 72 h with no muscle sample being collected at 72 h. Separate mixed factorial repeated measures ANOVA (P < 0.05) were used for all statistical analysis. All groups experienced significantly reduced peak torque production after 6 and 24 h, increased soreness at all time points from baseline [with even greater soreness levels 24 h after exercise in PLC when compared to EGCG and NAC (P < 0.05)], increased lactate dehydrogenase at 6 h, and increased creatine kinase 6, 24 and 48 h after exercise. No significant group x time interaction effects were found for serum cortisol, neutrophil counts, and the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio; although, all values experienced significant changes 6 h after exercise (P < 0.05), but at no other time points. At 48 h after the exercise bout the Neu:Lym ratio in EGCG was significantly less than NAC (P < 0.05), whereas there was a trend (P = 0.08) for the EGCG values to be less when compared to PLC at this time point. Markers of intramuscular mitochondrial and cytosolic apoptosis were assessed (e.g., bax, bcl-2, cytochrome C, caspase-3 content/enzyme activity, and total DNA content). Significant increases (P < 0.05) in muscle levels of bax and bcl-2 were observed in all groups with no significant differences between groups, whereas no changes (P > 0.05) were reported for cytochrome C, caspase-3 content, caspase-3 enzyme activity, and total DNA. Caspase-3 enzyme activity was significantly greater in all groups 48 h after exercise when compared to baseline (P < 0.05) and 6 h (P < 0.05) after exercise. An eccentric bout of muscle contractions appears to significantly increase muscle damage, markers of mitochondrial apoptosis, apoptotic enzyme activity, and whole-blood cell markers of inflammation with no changes in oxidative stress. While soreness ratings were blunted in the two supplementation groups 24 h after exercise when compared to PLC values, more research is needed to determine the potential impact of EGCG and NAC supplementation on changes related to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and eccentric exercise.

Oestradiol and SERM treatments influence oestrogen receptor coregulator gene expression in human skeletal muscle cells

AIM

Oestrogen receptors (ER) are present in human skeletal muscle (hSkM) cells; however, the function of the receptor is currently unknown. We investigated the influence of oestradiol and selective ER modulators [tamoxifen (TAM), raloxifene (RAL)] on ER coregulator mRNA expression in hSkM.

METHODS

Human skeletal muscle cells were treated with 10 nm oestradiol, 5 microm TAM and 10 microm RAL over a 24-h period. Following the treatment period, mRNA expression was quantified using real-time PCR to detect changes in ER-alpha, ER-beta, steroid receptor coactivator (SRC), silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT), MyoD, GLUT4 and c-fos.

RESULTS

ER-alpha mRNA expression increased with all three drug treatments (P < 0.05) while there was no change in mRNA expression of ER-beta in hSkM cells. mRNA expression of SRC increased and SMRT decreased with oestradiol, TAM and RAL in hSkM cells (P < 0.05). Importantly, mRNA expression of MyoD increased with oestradiol and decreased with TAM and RAL in hSkM cells (P < 0.05). mRNA expression of GLUT4 increased with oestradiol and RAL and decreased with TAM in hSkM cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings are novel in that they provide the first evidence that oestradiol and selective ER modulators influence ER-alpha function in hSkM cells. This demonstrates the importance of the ER and alterations in its coregulators, to potentially prevent sarcopenia and promote muscle growth in postmenopausal women using these forms of hormone replacement therapy.

Effect of consecutive repeated sprint and resistance exercise bouts on acute adaptive responses in human skeletal muscle

We examined acute molecular responses in skeletal muscle to repeated sprint and resistance exercise bouts. Six men [age, 24.7 ± 6.3 yr; body mass, 81.6 ± 7.3 kg; peak oxygen uptake, 47 ± 9.9 ml·kg−1·min−1; one repetition maximum (1-RM) leg extension 92.2 ± 12.5 kg; means ± SD] were randomly assigned to trials consisting of either resistance exercise (8 × 5 leg extension, 80% 1-RM) followed by repeated sprints (10 × 6 s, 0.75 N·m torque·kg−1) or vice-versa. Muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis were obtained at rest, 15 min after each exercise bout, and following 3-h recovery to determine early signaling and mRNA responses. There was divergent exercise order-dependent phosphorylation of p70 S6K (S6K). Specifically, initial resistance exercise increased S6K phosphorylation (∼75% P < 0.05), but there was no effect when resistance exercise was undertaken after sprints. Exercise decreased IGF-I mRNA following 3-h recovery (∼50%, P = 0.06) independent of order, while muscle RING finger mRNA was elevated with a moderate exercise order effect ( P < 0.01). When resistance exercise was followed by repeated sprints PGC-1α mRNA was increased (REX1-SPR2; P = 0.02) with a modest distinction between exercise orders. Repeated sprints may promote acute interference on resistance exercise responses by attenuating translation initiation signaling and exacerbating ubiquitin ligase expression. Indeed, repeated sprints appear to generate the overriding acute exercise-induced response when undertaking concurrent repeated sprint and resistance exercise. Accordingly, we suggest that sprint-activities are isolated from resistance training and that adequate recovery time is considered within periodized training plans that incorporate these divergent exercise modes.

Alterations in oxidative gene expression in equine skeletal muscle following exercise and training

Intense selection for elite racing performance in the Thoroughbred horse (Equus caballus) has resulted in a number of adaptive physiological phenotypes relevant to exercise; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for these characteristics are not well understood. Adaptive changes in mRNA expression in equine skeletal muscle were investigated by real-time qRT-PCR for a panel of candidate exercise-response genes following a standardized incremental-step treadmill exercise test in eight untrained Thoroughbred horses. Biopsy samples were obtained from the gluteus medius before, immediately after, and 4 h after exercise. Significant (P < 0.05) differences in gene expression were detected for six genes (CKM, COX4I1, COX4I2, PDK4, PPARGC1A, and SLC2A4) 4 h after exercise. Investigation of relationships between mRNA and velocity at maximum heart rate (VHR(max)) and peak postexercise plasma lactate concentration ([La]T(1)) revealed significant (P < 0.05) associations with postexercise COX4I1 and PPARCG1A expression and between [La]T(1) and basal COX4I1 expression. Gene expression changes were investigated in a second cohort of horses after a 10 mo period of training. In resting samples, COX4I1 gene expression had significantly increased following training, and, after exercise, significant differences were identified for COX4I2, PDK4, and PPARGC1A. Significant relationships with VHR(max) and [La]T(1) were detected for PPARGC1A and COX4I1. These data highlight the roles of genes responsible for the regulation of oxygen-dependent metabolism, glucose metabolism, and fatty acid utilization in equine skeletal muscle adaptation to exercise.

The impact of sarcopenia and exercise training on skeletal muscle satellite cells

It has been well-established that the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, or sarcopenia, impairs skeletal muscle function and reduces functional performance at a more advanced age. Skeletal muscle satellite cells (SC), as precursors of new myonuclei, have been suggested to be involved in the development of sarcopenia. In accordance with the type II muscle fiber atrophy observed in the elderly, recent studies report a concomitant fiber type specific reduction in SC content. Resistance type exercise interventions have proven effective to augment skeletal muscle mass and improve muscle function in the elderly. In accordance, recent work shows that resistance type exercise training can augment type II muscle fiber size and reverse the age-related decline in SC content. The latter is supported by an increase in SC activation and proliferation factors that generally appear following exercise training. Present findings strongly suggest that the skeletal muscle SC control myogenesis and have an important, but yet unresolved, function in the loss of muscle mass with aging. This review discusses the contribution of skeletal muscle SC in the age-related loss of muscle mass and the efficacy of exercise training as a means to attenuate and/or reverse this process.

Influence of hormone replacement therapy on eccentric exercise induced myogenic gene expression in postmenopausal women

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used in postmenopausal women to relieve symptoms of menopause and prevent osteoporosis. We sought to evaluate changes in mRNA expression of key myogenic factors in postmenopausal women taking and not taking HRT following a high-intensity eccentric resistance exercise. Fourteen postmenopausal women were studied and included 6 control women not using HRT (59 +/- 4 years, 63 +/- 17 kg) and 8 women using traditional HRT (59 +/- 4 yr, 89 +/- 24 kg). Both groups performed 10 sets of 10 maximal eccentric repetitions of single-leg extension on a Cybex dynamometer at 60 degrees /s. Muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis were obtained from the exercised leg at baseline and 4 h after the exercise bout. Gene expression was determined using RT-PCR for follistatin, forkhead box 3A (FOXO3A), muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx), muscle ring finger-1 (MuRF-1), myogenic differentiation factor (MyoD), myogenin, myostatin, myogenic factor 5 (Myf5), and muscle regulatory factor 4 (MRF4). At rest, the HRT group expressed higher levels of MyoD, myogenin, Myf5, MRF4, and follistatin (P < 0.05). In response to eccentric exercise, follistatin, MyoD, myogenin, Myf5, and MRF4 were significantly increased (P <or= 0.05) and FOXO3A, MAFbx, MuRF-1, and myostatin were significantly decreased in the control and HRT groups (P <or= 0.05). Significantly greater changes in mRNA expression of follistatin, FOXO3A, MAFbx, MuRF-1, MyoD, myogenin, myostatin, Myf5, and MRF4 (p<or=0.05) occurred in the HRT group than in the control group after exercise. These data suggest that postmenopausal women using HRT express higher myogenic regulatory factor gene expression, which may reflect an attempt to preserve muscle mass. Furthermore, postmenopausal women using HRT experienced a greater myogenic response to maximal eccentric exercise.

Resistance exercise-induced changes of inflammatory gene expression within human skeletal muscle

Aberrant local inflammatory signaling within skeletal muscle is now considered a contributing factor to the development of sarcopenia. Recent evidence indicates that chronic resistance training contributes to the control of locally derived inflammation via adaptations to repeated, acute increases in pro-inflammatory mRNA within muscle. However, only a limited number of gene transcripts related to the inflammatory process have been examined in the literature. The present study utilized an acute bout to examine the effects of resistance exercise on several inflammatory-related genes in 24 physically active, post-menopausal women not currently undergoing hormone replacement therapy. Following a standard warm-up, participants completed a lower-body resistance exercise bout consisting of 3 sets of 10 repetitions on machine squat, leg press, and leg extension exercises (80% intensity). Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis of the dominant leg at baseline and 3 h following exercise. Significant (p < 0.05) up-regulation in mRNA content was observed for TNFalpha, IL1beta, IL6, IL8, SOCS2, COX2, SAA1, SAA2, IKKB, cfos, and junB. Muscle mRNA content was not significantly altered at the 0.05 level for IL2, IL5, IL10, or IL12 (p35). Venous blood samples were also obtained at baseline as well as at 3, 24, and 48 h post-exercise. Serum was analyzed for circulating TNFalpha, IL1beta, IL6, IL8, COX2, and SAA with no significant changes observed. These results indicate that resistance exercise is capable of up-regulating transcription of numerous inflammatory mediators within skeletal muscle, and these appear to be worthy of future examination in chronic studies.

Effects of 28 days of resistance exercise and consuming a commercially available pre-workout supplement, NO-Shotgun(R), on body composition, muscle strength and mass, markers of satellite cell activation, and clinical safety markers in males

Purpose

This study determined the effects of 28 days of heavy resistance exercise combined with the nutritional supplement, NO-Shotgun^®, on body composition, muscle strength and mass, markers of satellite cell activation, and clinical safety markers.

Methods

Eighteen non-resistance-trained males participated in a resistance training program (3 × 10-RM) 4 times/wk for 28 days while also ingesting 27 g/day of placebo (PL) or NO-Shotgun^® (NO) 30 min prior to exercise. Data were analyzed with separate 2 × 2 ANOVA and t-tests (p < 0.05).

Results

Total body mass was increased in both groups (p = 0.001), but without any significant increases in total body water (p = 0.77). No significant changes occurred with fat mass (p = 0.62); however fat-free mass did increase with training (p = 0.001), and NO was significantly greater than PL (p = 0.001). Bench press strength for NO was significantly greater than PL (p = 0.003). Myofibrillar protein increased with training (p = 0.001), with NO being significantly greater than PL (p = 0.019). Serum IGF-1 (p = 0.046) and HGF (p = 0.06) were significantly increased with training and for NO HGF was greater than PL (p = 0.002). Muscle phosphorylated c-met was increased with training for both groups (p = 0.019). Total DNA was increased in both groups (p = 0.006), while NO was significantly greater than PL (p = 0.038). For DNA/protein, PL was decreased and NO was not changed (p = 0.014). All of the myogenic regulatory factors were increased with training; however, NO was shown to be significantly greater than PL for Myo-D (p = 0.008) and MRF-4 (p = 0.022). No significant differences were located for any of the whole blood and serum clinical chemistry markers (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

When combined with heavy resistance training for 28 days, NO-Shotgun^® is not associated with any negative side effects, nor does it abnormally impact any of the clinical chemistry markers. Rather, NO-Shotgun^® effectively increases muscle strength and mass, myofibrillar protein content, and increases the content of markers indicative of satellite cell activation.

Tuning of mitochondrial pathways by muscle work: from triggers to sensors and expression signatures

Performance of striated muscle relies on the nerve-driven activation of the sarcomeric motor and coupled energy supply lines. This biological engine is unique; its mechanical and metabolic characteristics are not fixed, but are tailored by functional demand with exercise. This remodelling is specific for the imposed muscle stimulus. This is illustrated by the increase in local oxidative capacity with highly repetitive endurance training vs. the preferential initiation of sarcomerogenesis with strength training regimes, where high-loading increments are imposed. The application of molecular biology has provided unprecedented insight into the pathways that govern muscle plasticity. Time-course analysis indicates that the adjustments to muscle work involve a broad regulation of transcript expression during the recovery phase from a single bout of exercise. Highly resolving microarray analysis demonstrates that the specificity of an endurance-exercise stimulus is reflected by the signature of the transcriptome response after muscle work. A quantitative match in mitochondrial transcript adjustments and mitochondrial volume density after endurance training suggests that the gradual accumulation of expressional microadaptations underlies the promotion of fatigue resistance with training. This regulation is distinguished from control of muscle growth via the load-dependent activation of sarcomerogenesis. Discrete biochemical signalling systems have evolved that sense metabolic perturbations during exercise and trigger a specific expression program, which instructs the remodelling of muscle makeup. A drop in muscle oxygen tension and metabolite perturbations with exercise are recognized as important signals in the genome-mediated remodelling of the metabolic muscle phenotype in humans.

Exercise ameliorates chronic kidney disease-induced defects in muscle protein metabolism and progenitor cell function

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) impairs muscle protein metabolism leading to muscle atrophy, and exercise can counteract this muscle wasting. Here we evaluated how resistance exercise (muscle overload) and endurance training (treadmill running) affect CKD-induced abnormalities in muscle protein metabolism and progenitor cell function using mouse plantaris muscle. Both exercise models blunted the increase in disease-induced muscle proteolysis and improved phosphorylation of Akt and the forkhead transcription factor FoxO1. Muscle overloading, but not treadmill running, corrected protein synthesis and levels of mediators of protein synthesis such as phosphorylated mTOR and p70S6K in the muscles of mice with CKD. In these mice, muscle overload, but not treadmill, running, increased muscle progenitor cell number and activity as measured by the amounts of MyoD, myogenin, and eMyHC mRNAs. Muscle overload not only increased plantaris weight and reduced muscle proteolysis but also corrected intracellular signals regulating protein and progenitor cell function in mice with CKD. Treadmill running corrects muscle proteolysis but not protein synthesis or progenitor cell function. Our results provide a basis for evaluating different types of exercise on muscle atrophy in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Hormone therapy attenuates exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage in postmenopausal women

Hormone therapy (HT) is a potential treatment to relieve symptoms of menopause and prevent the onset of disease such as osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. We evaluated changes in markers of exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage and inflammation [serum creatine kinase (CK), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and skeletal muscle mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, and TNF-alpha] in postmenopausal women after a high-intensity resistance exercise bout. Fourteen postmenopausal women were divided into two groups: women not using HT (control; n = 6, 59 +/- 4 yr, 63 +/- 17 kg) and women using traditional HT (HT; n = 8, 59 +/- 4 yr, 89 +/- 24 kg). Both groups performed 10 sets of 10 maximal eccentric repetitions of single-leg extension on the Cybex dynamometer at 60 degrees /s with 20-s rest periods between sets. Muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis were obtained from the exercised leg at baseline and 4 h after the exercise bout. Gene expression was determined by RT-PCR for IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, and TNF-alpha. Blood draws were performed at baseline and 3 days after exercise to measure CK and LDH. Independent t-tests were performed to test group differences (control vs. HT). A probability level of P <or= 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. We observed significantly greater changes in mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, and TNF-alpha (P <or= 0.01) in the control group compared with the HT group after the exercise bout. CK and LDH levels were significantly greater after exercise (P <or= 0.01) in the control group. Postmenopausal women not using HT experienced greater muscle damage after maximal eccentric exercise, indicating a possible protective effect of HT against exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage.

Human muscle protein synthesis and breakdown during and after exercise

Skeletal muscle demonstrates extraordinary mutability in its responses to exercise of different modes, intensity, and duration, which must involve alterations of muscle protein turnover, both acutely and chronically. Here, we bring together information on the alterations in the rates of synthesis and degradation of human muscle protein by different types of exercise and the influences of nutrition, age, and sexual dimorphism. Where possible, we summarize the likely changes in activity of signaling proteins associated with control of protein turnover. Exercise of both the resistance and nonresistance types appears to depress muscle protein synthesis (MPS), whereas muscle protein breakdown (MPB) probably remains unchanged during exercise. However, both MPS and MPB are elevated after exercise in the fasted state, when net muscle protein balance remains negative. Positive net balance is achieved only when amino acid availability is increased, thereby raising MPS markedly. However, postexercise-increased amino acid availability is less important for inhibiting MPB than insulin, the secretion of which is stimulated most by glucose availability, without itself stimulating MPS. Exercise training appears to increase basal muscle protein turnover, with differential responses of the myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein fractions to acute exercise in the trained state. Aging reduces the responses of myofibrillar protein and anabolic signaling to resistance exercise. There appear to be few, if any, differences in the response of young women and young men to acute exercise, although there are indications that, in older women, the responses may be blunted more than in older men.

Molecular responses to strength and endurance training: Are they incompatible?This paper article is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled 14th International Biochemistry of Exercise Conference – Muscles as Molecular and Metabolic Machines, and has undergone the Journal’s usual peer review process

Simultaneously training for both strength and endurance results in a compromised adaptation, compared with training for either exercise mode alone. This has been variously described as the concurrent training effect or the interference effect. It now appears that the genetic and molecular mechanisms of adaptation induced by resistance- and endurance-based training are distinct, with each mode of exercise activating and (or) repressing specific subsets of genes and cellular signalling pathways. This brief review will summarize our current understanding of the molecular responses to strength and endurance training, and will examine the molecular evidence for an interference effect when concurrent training is undertaken. A better understanding of the activation and interaction of the molecular pathways in response to these different modes of exercise will permit sport scientists to develop improved training programs capable of maximizing both strength and endurance.

Consecutive bouts of diverse contractile activity alter acute responses in human skeletal muscle

We examined acute molecular responses in skeletal muscle to divergent exercise stimuli by combining consecutive bouts of resistance and endurance exercise. Eight men [22.9 ± 6.3 yr, body mass of 73.2 ± 4.5 kg, peak O2 uptake (V̇o2peak) of 54.0 ± 5.7 ml·kg−1·min−1] were randomly assigned to complete trials consisting of either resistance exercise (8 × 5 leg extension, 80% 1 repetition maximum) followed by a bout of endurance exercise (30 min cycling, 70% V̇o2peak) or vice versa. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis at rest, 15 min after each exercise bout, and after 3 h of passive recovery to determine early signaling and mRNA responses. Phosphorylation of Akt and Akt1Ser473 were elevated 15 min after resistance exercise compared with cycling, with the greatest increase observed when resistance exercise followed cycling (∼55%; P < 0.01). TSC2-mTOR-S6 kinase phosphorylation 15 min after each bout of exercise was similar regardless of the exercise mode. The cumulative effect of combined exercise resulted in disparate mRNA responses. IGF-I mRNA content was reduced when cycling preceded resistance exercise (−42%), whereas muscle ring finger mRNA was elevated when cycling was undertaken after resistance exercise (∼52%; P < 0.05). The hexokinase II mRNA level was higher after resistance cycling (∼45%; P < 0.05) than after cycling-resistance exercise, whereas modest increases in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α mRNA did not reveal an order effect. We conclude that acute responses to diverse bouts of contractile activity are modified by the exercise order. Moreover, undertaking divergent exercise in close proximity influences the acute molecular profile and likely exacerbates acute “interference.”

Effects of fatiguing jumping exercise on mRNA expression of titin-complex proteins and calpains

Eccentric exercise induced by electrostimulation increases mRNA expression of titin-complex proteins in rodent skeletal muscle. In this study, mRNA expression of titin, muscle LIM protein (MLP), cardiac ankyrin repeat protein (CARP), ankyrin repeat domain protein 2 (Ankrd2), diabetes-related ankyrin repeat protein (DARP), and calcium-activated proteinases, calpains, were investigated in human skeletal muscle after fatiguing jumping exercise. Fatiguing jumping exercise did not change mRNA expression of titin, DARP, calpain 1, or calpain 3. MLP, Ankrd2 and calpain 2 mRNA levels were increased 2 days postexercise. CARP mRNA level was already elevated 30 min and remained elevated 2 days postexercise. Increased mRNA expression of MLP, CARP, and Ankrd2, observed for the first time in human skeletal muscle, may be part of the signaling activated by physical exercise. The rapid increase in the level of CARP mRNA nominates CARP as one of the first genes to respond to exercise. The increase in the mRNA level of calpain 2 suggests its involvement in myofiber remodeling after strenuous jumping exercise.

Chronic resistance training decreases MuRF-1 and Atrogin-1 gene expression but does not modify Akt, GSK-3beta and p70S6K levels in rats

Long-term adaptation to resistance training is probably due to the cumulative molecular effects of each exercise session. Therefore, we studied in female Wistar rats the molecular effects of a chronic resistance training regimen (3 months) leading to skeletal muscle hypertrophy in the plantaris muscle. Our results demonstrated that muscle proteolytic genes MuRF-1 and Atrogin-1 were significantly decreased in the exercised group measured 24 h after the last resistance exercise session (41.64 and 61.19%, respectively; P < 0.05). Nonetheless, when measured at the same time point, 4EBP-1, GSK-3beta and eIF2Bepsilon mRNA levels and Akt, GSK-3beta and p70S6K protein levels (regulators of translation initiation) were not modified. Such data suggests that if gene transcription constitutes a control point in the protein synthesis pathway this regulation probably occurs in early adaptation periods or during extreme situations leading to skeletal muscle remodeling. However, proteolytic gene expression is modified even after a prolonged resistance training regimen leading to moderate skeletal muscle hypertrophy.

Protein synthesis and the expression of growth-related genes are altered by running in human vastus lateralis and soleus muscles

Recent evidence suggests aerobic exercise may help preserve soleus muscle mass during unloading. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the muscle-specific metabolic response to running as it relates to muscle growth. Mixed-muscle protein synthesis [fractional synthetic rate (FSR)] and gene expression (GE) were examined in the vastus lateralis (VL) and soleus (SOL) muscles from eight men (26 +/- 2 yr; Vo(2max) 63 +/- 2 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) before and after a 45-min level-grade treadmill run at 77 +/- 1% intensity. Muscle glycogen utilization was similar between muscles. Resting FSR was similar between the VL (0.080 +/- 0.007 %/h) and SOL (0.086 +/- 0.008 %/h) and was higher (P < 0.05) 24 h postexercise compared with rest for both muscles. The absolute change in FSR was not different between muscles (0.030 +/- 0.007 vs. 0.037 +/- 0.012 %/h for VL and SOL). At baseline, myostatin GE was approximately twofold higher (P < 0.05) in SOL compared with VL, while no other muscle-specific differences in GE were present. After running, myostatin GE was suppressed (P < 0.05) in both muscles at 4 h and was higher (P < 0.05) than baseline at 24 h for VL only. Muscle regulatory factor 4 mRNA was elevated (P < 0.05) at 4 h in both SOL and VL; MyoD and peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) were higher (P < 0.05) at 4 h, and forkhead box [FOXO]3A was higher at 24 h in SOL only, while muscle-RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF-1) was higher (P < 0.05) at 4 h in VL only. Myogenin and atrogin-1 GE were unaltered. The similar increases between muscles in FSR support running as part of the exercise countermeasure to preserve soleus mass during unloading. The subtle differences in GE suggest a potential mechanism for muscle-specific adaptations to chronic run training.

Effect of acute resistance exercise and sex on human patellar tendon structural and regulatory mRNA expression

Tendon is mainly composed of collagen and an aqueous matrix of proteoglycans that are regulated by enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Although it is known that resistance exercise (RE) and sex influence tendon metabolism and mechanical properties, it is uncertain what structural and regulatory components contribute to these responses. We measured the mRNA expression of tendon's main fibrillar collagens (type I and type III) and the main proteoglycans (decorin, biglycan, fibromodulin, and versican) and the regulatory enzymes MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-3, and TIMP-1 at rest and after RE. Patellar tendon biopsy samples were taken from six individuals (3 men and 3 women) before and 4 h after a bout of RE and from a another six individuals (3 men and 3 women) before and 24 h after RE. Resting mRNA expression was used for sex comparisons (6 men and 6 women). Collagen type I, collagen type III, and MMP-2 were downregulated (P < 0.05) 4 h after RE but were unchanged (P > 0.05) 24 h after RE. All other genes remained unchanged (P > 0.05) after RE. Women had higher resting mRNA expression (P < 0.05) of collagen type III and a trend (P = 0.08) toward lower resting expression of MMP-3 than men. All other genes were not influenced (P > 0.05) by sex. Acute RE appears to stimulate a change in collagen type I, collagen type III, and MMP-2 gene regulation in the human patellar tendon. Sex influences the structural and regulatory mRNA expression of tendon.

Acute regulation of metabolic genes and insulin receptor substrates in the liver of mice by one single bout of treadmill exercise

Acute exercise performance represents a major metabolic challenge for the skeletal muscle, but also for the liver as the most important source of energy. However the molecular adaptation of the liver to one single bout of exercise is largely unknown. C57BL/6 mice performed a 60 min treadmill run at high aerobic intensity. Liver, soleus and white gastrocnemius muscle were removed immediately after exercise. The single bout of exercise resulted in a very rapid and pronounced induction of hepatic metabolic enzymes and regulators of metabolism or transcription: glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase; 3-fold), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 (PDK4; 4.8-fold), angiopoietin-like 4 (2.1-fold), insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2 (5.1-fold), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha; 3-fold). In soleus and white gastrocnemius muscle the up-regulation of IRS-2 and PDK4 was less pronounced compared with the liver and no significant induction of PGC-1alpha could be detected at this early time point. Activation of AMPK was found in both liver and white gastrocnemius muscle as phosphorylation of Thr-172. The induction of endogenous insulin secretion by a glucose load directly after the exercise bout resulted in a significantly higher PKB/Akt phosphorylation in the liver of exercised mice. The markedly enhanced IRS-2 protein amount, and presumably reduced serine/threonine phosphorylation of the IRS proteins induced by the acute exercise could be responsible for this enhanced action of insulin. In conclusion, acute exercise induced a rapid and pronounced transcriptional adaptation in the liver, and regulated hepatic IRS proteins leading to improved cellular insulin signal transduction.

Role of MyoD in denervated, disused, and exercised muscle

The myogenic regulatory factor MyoD plays an important role in embryonic and adult skeletal muscle growth. Even though it is best known as a marker for activated satellite cells, it is also expressed in myonuclei, and its expression can be induced by a variety of different conditions. Several model systems have been used to study the mechanisms behind MyoD regulation, such as exercise, stretch, disuse, and denervation. Since MyoD reacts in a highly muscle-specific manner, and its expression varies over time and between species, universally valid predictions and explanations for changes in MyoD expression are not possible. This review explores the complex role of MyoD in muscle plasticity by evaluating the induction of MyoD expression in the context of muscle composition and electrical and mechanical stimulation.

Rapid exercise-induced changes in PGC-1α mRNA and protein in human skeletal muscle

The mRNA of the nuclear coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) increases during prolonged exercise and is influenced by carbohydrate availability. It is unknown if the increases in mRNA reflect the PGC-1α protein or if glycogen stores are an important regulator. Seven male subjects [23 ± 1.3 yr old, maximum oxygen uptake (V̇o2 max) 48.4 ± 0.8 ml·kg−1·min−1] exercised to exhaustion (∼2 h) at 65% V̇o2 max followed by ingestion of either a high-carbohydrate (HC) or low-carbohydrate (LC) diet (7 or 2.9 g·kg−1·day−1, respectively) for 52 h of recovery. Glycogen remained depressed in LC ( P < 0.05) while returning to resting levels by 24 h in HC. PGC-1α mRNA increased both at exhaustion (3-fold) and 2 h later (6.2-fold) ( P < 0.05) but returned to rest levels by 24 h. PGC-1α protein increased ( P < 0.05) 23% at exhaustion and remained elevated for at least 24 h ( P < 0.05). While there was no direct treatment effect (HC vs. LC) for PGC-1α mRNA or protein, there was a linear relationship between the changes in glycogen and those in PGC-1α protein during exercise and recovery ( r = −0.68, P < 0.05). In contrast, PGC-1β did not increase with exercise but rather decreased ( P < 0.05) below rest level at 24 and 52 h, and the decrease was greater ( P < 0.05) in LC. PGC-1α protein content increased in prolonged exercise and remained upregulated for 24 h, but this could not have been predicted by the changes in mRNA. The β-isoform declined rather than increasing, and this was greater when glycogen was not resynthesized to rest levels.

Co-expression of IGF-1 family members with myogenic regulatory factors following acute damaging muscle-lengthening contractions in humans

Muscle regeneration following injury is dependent on the ability of muscle satellite cells to activate, proliferate and fuse with damaged fibres. This process is controlled by the myogenic regulatory factors (MRF). Little is known about the temporal relation of the MRF with the expression of known myogenic growth factors (i.e. IGF-1) in humans following muscle damage. Eight subjects (20.6 +/- 2.1 years; 81.4 +/- 9.8 kg) performed 300 lengthening contractions (180 deg s(-1)) of their knee extensors in one leg on a dynamometer. Blood and muscle samples were collected before and at 4 (T4), 24 (T24), 72 (T72) and 120 h (T120) post-exercise. Mechano growth factor (MGF), IGF-1Ea and IGF-1Eb mRNA were quantified. Serum IGF-1 did not change over the post-exercise time course. IGF-1Ea and IGF-1Eb mRNA increased approximately 4- to 6-fold by T72 (P < 0.01) and MGF mRNA expression peaked at T24 (P = 0.005). MyoD mRNA expression increased approximately 2-fold at T4 (P < 0.05). Myf5 expression peaked at T24 (P < 0.05), while MRF4 and myogenin mRNA expression peaked at T72 (P < 0.05). Myf5 expression strongly correlated with the increase in MGF mRNA (r(2) = 0.83; P = 0.03), while MRF4 was correlated with both IGF-1Ea and -Eb (r(2) = 0.90; r(2) = 0.81, respectively; P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence analysis showed IGF-1 protein expression localized to satellite cells at T24, and to satellite cells and the myofibre at T72 and T120; IGF-1 was not detected at T0 or T4. These results suggest that the temporal response of MGF is probably related to the activation/proliferation phase of the myogenic programme as marked by an increase in both Myf5 and MyoD, while IGF-1Ea and -Eb may be temporally related to differentiation as marked by an increase in MRF4 and myogenin expression following acute muscle damage.

Expression of growth-related genes in young and older human skeletal muscle following an acute stimulation of protein synthesis

Muscle growth is associated with an activation of the mTOR signaling pathway and satellite cell regulators. The purpose of this study was to determine whether 17 selected genes associated with mTOR/muscle protein synthesis and the satellite cells/myogenic program are differentially expressed in young and older human skeletal muscle at rest and in response to a potent anabolic stimulus [resistance exercise + essential amino acid ingestion (RE+EAA)]. Twelve male subjects (6 young, 6 old) completed a bout of heavy resistance exercise. Muscle biopsies were obtained before and at 3 and 6 h post RE+EAA. Subjects ingested leucine-enriched essential amino acids at 1 h postexercise. mRNA expression was determined using qRT-PCR. At rest, hVps34 mRNA was elevated in the older subjects (P < 0.05) while there was a tendency for levels of myoD, myogenin, and TSC2 mRNA to be higher than young. The anabolic stimulus (RE+EAA) altered mRNAs associated with mTOR regulation. Notably, REDD2 decreased in both age groups (P < 0.05) but the expression of Rheb mRNA increased only in the young. Finally, cMyc mRNA was elevated (P < 0.05) in both young and old at 6 h post RE+EAA. Furthermore, RE+EAA also increased expression of several mRNAs associated with satellite function in the young (P < 0.05), while expression of these mRNAs did not change in the old. We conclude that several anabolic genes in muscle are more responsive in young men post RE+EAA. Our data provide new insights into the regulation of genes important for transcription and translation in young and old human skeletal muscle post RE+EAA.

Pharmacological activation of PPARbeta promotes rapid and calcineurin-dependent fiber remodeling and angiogenesis in mouse skeletal muscle

Recent studies have shown that administration of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-beta (PPARbeta) agonists enhances fatty acid oxidation in rodent and human skeletal muscle and that muscle-restricted PPARbeta overexpression affects muscle metabolic profile by increasing oxidative myofiber number, which raises the possibility that PPARbeta agonists alter muscle morphology in adult animals. This possibility was examined in this study in which adult mice were treated with a PPARbeta agonist, and the resulting changes in myofiber metabolic phenotype and angiogenesis were quantified in tibialis anterior muscles. The findings indicate a muscle remodeling that is completed within 2 days and is characterized by a 1.63-fold increase in oxidative fiber number and by a 1.55-fold increase in capillary number. These changes were associated with a quick and transient upregulation of myogenic and angiogenic markers. Both myogenic and angiogenic responses were dependent on the calcineurin pathway, as they were blunted by cyclosporine A administration. In conclusion, the data indicate that PPARbeta activation is associated with a calcineurin-dependent effect on muscle morphology that enhances the oxidative phenotype.

Technique for quantitative RT-PCR analysis directly from single muscle fibers

The use of single-cell quantitative RT-PCR has greatly aided the study of gene expression in fields such as muscle physiology. For this study, we hypothesized that single muscle fibers from a biopsy can be placed directly into the reverse transcription buffer and that gene expression data can be obtained without having to first extract the RNA. To test this hypothesis, biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis of five male subjects. Single muscle fibers were isolated and underwent RNA isolation (technique 1) or placed directly into reverse transcription buffer (technique 2). After cDNA conversion, individual fiber cDNA was pooled and quantitative PCR was performed using primer-probes for beta(2)-microglobulin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, insulin-like growth factor I receptor, and glucose transporter subtype 4. The no RNA extraction method provided similar quantitative PCR data as that of the RNA extraction method. A third technique was also tested in which we used one-quarter of an individual fiber's cDNA for PCR (not pooled) and the average coefficient of variation between fibers was <8% (cycle threshold value) for all genes studied. The no RNA extraction technique was tested on isolated muscle fibers using a gene known to increase after exercise (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4). We observed a 13.9-fold change in expression after resistance exercise, which is consistent with what has been previously observed. These results demonstrate a successful method for gene expression analysis directly from single muscle fibers.

Human muscle gene expression following resistance exercise and blood flow restriction

INTRODUCTION

Blood flow restriction in combination with low-intensity resistance exercise (REFR) increases skeletal muscle size to a similar extent as compared with traditional high-intensity resistance exercise training. However, there are limited data describing the molecular adaptations that occur after REFR.

PURPOSE

To determine whether hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) and REDD1 mRNA are expressed differently in REFR compared with low-intensity resistance exercise with no blood flow restriction (CONTROL). Secondly, to determine whether low-intensity resistance exercise is able to induce changes in mRNA expression of several anabolic and catabolic genes as typically seen with high-intensity resistance exercise.

METHODS

Six subjects were studied at baseline and 3 h after a bout of leg resistance exercise (20% 1RM) in REFR and CONTROL subjects. Each subject participated in both groups, with 3 wk separating each visit. Muscle biopsy samples were analyzed for mRNA expression, using qRT-PCR.

RESULT

Our primary finding was that there were no differences between CONTROL and REFR for any of the selected genes at 3 h after exercise (P > 0.05). However, low-intensity resistance exercise increased HIF-1alpha, p21, MyoD, and muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1) mRNA expression and decreased REDD1 and myostatin mRNA expression in both groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Low-intensity resistance exercise can alter skeletal muscle mRNA expression of several genes associated with muscle growth and remodeling, such as REDD1, HIF-1alpha, MyoD, MuRF1, and myostatin. Further, the results from REFR and CONTROL were similar, indicating that the changes in early postexercise gene expression were attributable to the low-intensity resistance exercise bout, and not blood flow restriction.

Proteolytic gene expression differs at rest and after resistance exercise between young and old women

BACKGROUND

Skeletal muscle atrophy in rodents is associated with increased gene expression of proteolytic markers muscle-RING-finger protein 1 (MuRF-1) and atrogin-1. In humans with age-related muscle atrophy, known as sarcopenia, little is known about these key proteolytic biomarkers. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was 2-fold: (i) measure messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of proteolytic genes MuRF-1, atrogin-1, forkhead box (FOXO)3A, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in young and old women at rest, and (ii) measure these proteolytic genes in response to an acute resistance exercise (RE) bout, a known hypertrophic stimulus.

METHODS

A group of old women (OW: n =6, 85+/-1 years, thigh muscle =89+/-4 cm(2)) and young women (YW: n=8, 23+/-2 years, thigh muscle = 122+/-6 cm(2)) performed three sets of 10 knee extensions at 70% of one-repetition maximum. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis before and 4 hours after RE. Using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), mRNA was amplified and normalized to GAPDH.

RESULTS

At rest, OW expressed higher mRNA levels of MuRF-1 (p=.04) and FOXO3A (p=.001) compared to YW. In response to RE, there was an age effect (p=.01) in the induction of atrogin-1 (OW: 2.5-fold). Both YW and OW had an induction (p=.001) in MuRF-1 (YW: 3.6-fold; OW: 2.6-fold) with RE.

CONCLUSIONS

These data show that the regulation of ubiquitin proteasome-related genes involved with muscle atrophy are altered in very old women (>80 years). This finding is manifested both at rest and in response to RE, which may contribute to the large degree of muscle loss with age.

Cyclooxygenase mRNA expression in human patellar tendon at rest and after exercise

Exercise has been shown to acutely elevate several metabolic processes in tendon tissue, including collagen turnover and blood flow, and chronically induce changes in tendon properties. Many of these acute metabolic responses to exercise are regulated by the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. We measured the expression levels of COX-1 [variants 1 and 2 (COX-1v1 and COX-1v2)], COX-2, and the recently discovered intron 1-retaining COX-1 variants (COX-1b1, COX-1b2, and COX-1b3) at rest and after resistance exercise (RE). Patellar tendon biopsy samples were taken from six individuals (3 men and 3 women) before and 4 h after a bout of RE (3 sets of 10 repetitions at ∼70% of 1 repetition maximum) and from a separate group of six individuals (3 men and 3 women) before and 24 h after RE and analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. The COX-1 variants were the most abundant COX mRNAs before exercise and remained unchanged ( P > 0.05) after exercise. COX-2 was also expressed in tendon tissue at rest and was unchanged ( P > 0.05) after exercise. The intron 1-retaining COX-1 variants were not detectable in tendon tissue before or after exercise. COX-1 and COX-2 were expressed at much higher levels by the patellar tendon than by quadriceps skeletal muscle, although the overall COX mRNA expression patterns were similar in skeletal muscle and tendon (COX-1v2 > COX-1v1, P < 0.05; ratio of COX-1 to COX-2 ≅ 4:1). These results suggest that COX-1 and COX-2 are constitutively expressed at relatively high levels in human patellar tendon and are likely targets of COX-inhibiting drugs at rest and after physical activity.

Repeated resistance exercise training induces different changes in mRNA expression of MAFbx and MuRF-1 in human skeletal muscle

The gain in muscle mass as a result of resistance training is dependent on changes in both anabolic and catabolic reactions. A frequency of two to three exercise sessions per week is considered optimal for muscle gain in untrained individuals. Our hypothesis was that a second exercise session would enlarge the anabolic response and/or decrease the catabolic response. Eight male subjects performed resistance exercise on two occasions separated by 2 days. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis before and 15 min, 1 h, and 2 h after exercise. Exercise led to severalfold increases in phosphorylation of mTOR at Ser2448, p70 S6 kinase (p70S6k) at Ser424/Thr421 and Thr389, and ribosomal protein S6, which persisted for up to 2 h of recovery on both occasions. There was a tendency toward a larger effect of the second exercise on p70S6k and S6, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The mRNA expression of MuRF-1, which increased after exercise, was 30% lower after the second exercise session than after the first one. MAFbx expression was not altered after exercise but downregulated 30% 48 h later, whereas myostatin expression was reduced by 45% after the first exercise and remained low until after the second exercise session. The results indicate that 1) changes in expression of genes involved in protein degradation are attenuated as a response to repetitive resistance training with minor additional increases in enzymes regulating protein synthesis and 2) the two ubiquitin ligases, MuRF-1 and MAFbx, are differently affected by the exercise as well as by repeated exercise.

The molecular bases of training adaptation

Skeletal muscle is a malleable tissue capable of altering the type and amount of protein in response to disruptions to cellular homeostasis. The process of exercise-induced adaptation in skeletal muscle involves a multitude of signalling mechanisms initiating replication of specific DNA genetic sequences, enabling subsequent translation of the genetic message and ultimately generating a series of amino acids that form new proteins. The functional consequences of these adaptations are determined by training volume, intensity and frequency, and the half-life of the protein. Moreover, many features of the training adaptation are specific to the type of stimulus, such as the mode of exercise. Prolonged endurance training elicits a variety of metabolic and morphological changes, including mitochondrial biogenesis, fast-to-slow fibre-type transformation and substrate metabolism. In contrast, heavy resistance exercise stimulates synthesis of contractile proteins responsible for muscle hypertrophy and increases in maximal contractile force output. Concomitant with the vastly different functional outcomes induced by these diverse exercise modes, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of adaptation are distinct. With recent advances in technology, it is now possible to study the effects of various training interventions on a variety of signalling proteins and early-response genes in skeletal muscle. Although it cannot presently be claimed that such scientific endeavours have influenced the training practices of elite athletes, these new and exciting technologies have provided insight into how current training techniques result in specific muscular adaptations, and may ultimately provide clues for future and novel training methodologies. Greater knowledge of the mechanisms and interaction of exercise-induced adaptive pathways in skeletal muscle is important for our understanding of the aetiology of disease, maintenance of metabolic and functional capacity with aging, and training for athletic performance. This article highlights the effects of exercise on molecular and genetic mechanisms of training adaptation in skeletal muscle.

Effects of resistance exercise with and without creatine supplementation on gene expression and cell signaling in human skeletal muscle

To test the hypothesis that creatine supplementation would enhance the anabolic responses of muscle cell signaling and gene expression to exercise, we studied nine subjects who received either creatine or a placebo (maltodextrin) for 5 days in a double-blind fashion before undergoing muscle biopsies: at rest, immediately after exercise (10 x 10 repetitions of one-leg extension at 80% 1 repetition maximum), and 24 and 72 h later (all in the morning after fasting overnight). Creatine supplementation decreased the phosphorylation state of protein kinase B (PKB) on Thr308 at rest by 60% (P < 0.05) and that of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein on Thr37/46 (4E-BP1) by 30% 24 h postexercise (P < 0.05). Creatine increased mRNA for collagen 1 (alpha(1)), glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4), and myosin heavy chain I at rest by 250%, 45%, and 80%, respectively, and myosin heavy chain IIA (MHCIIA) mRNA immediately after exercise by 70% (all P < 0.05). Immediately after exercise, and independent of creatine, mRNA for muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx), MHCIIA, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha, and interleukin-6 were upregulated (60-350%; P < 0.05); the phosphorylation state of p38 both in the sarcoplasm and nucleus were increased (12- and 25-fold, respectively; both P < 0.05). Concurrently, the phosphorylation states of PKB (Thr308) and 4E-BP1 (Thr37/46) were decreased by 50% and 75%, respectively (P < 0.05). Twenty-four hours postexercise, MAFbx, myostatin, and GLUT-4 mRNA expression decreased below preexercise values (-35 to -50%; P < 0.05); calpain 1 mRNA increased 70% 72 h postexercise (P < 0.05) and at no other time. In conclusion, 5 days of creatine supplementation do not enhance anabolic signaling but increase the expression of certain targeted genes.

Time course of proteolytic, cytokine, and myostatin gene expression after acute exercise in human skeletal muscle

The aim of this study was to examine the time course induction of select proteolytic [muscle ring finger-1 (MuRF-1), atrogin-1, forkhead box 3A (FOXO3A), calpain-1, calpain-2], myostatin, and cytokine (IL -6, -8, -15, and TNF-α) mRNA after an acute bout of resistance (RE) or run (RUN) exercise. Six experienced RE (25 ± 4 yr, 74 ± 14 kg, 1.71 ± 0.11 m) and RUN (25 ± 4 yr, 72 ± 5 kg, 1.81 ± 0.07 m) subjects had muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis (RE) or gastrocnemius (RUN) before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h postexercise. RE increased ( P < 0.05) mRNA expression of MuRF-1 early (3.5-fold, 1–4 h), followed by a decrease in atrogin-1 (3.3-fold) and FOXO3A (1.7-fold) 8–12 h postexercise. Myostatin mRNA decreased (6.3-fold; P < 0.05) from 1 to 24 h postexercise, whereas IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α mRNA were elevated 2–12 h. RUN increased ( P < 0.05) MuRF-1 (3.6-fold), atrogin-1 (1.6-fold), and FOXO3A (1.9-fold) 1–4 h postexercise. Myostatin was suppressed (3.6-fold; P < 0.05) 8–12 h post-RUN. The cytokines exhibited a biphasic response, with immediate elevation ( P < 0.05) of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, followed by a second elevation ( P < 0.05) 2–24 h postexercise. In general, the timing of the gene induction indicated early elevation of proteolytic genes, followed by prolonged elevation of cytokines and suppression of myostatin. These data provide basic information for the timing of human muscle biopsy samples for gene expression studies involving exercise. Furthermore, this information suggests a greater induction of proteolytic genes following RUN compared with RE.

The molecular bases of training adaptation

Skeletal muscle is a malleable tissue capable of altering the type and amount of protein in response to disruptions to cellular homeostasis. The process of exercise-induced adaptation in skeletal muscle involves a multitude of signalling mechanisms initiating replication of specific DNA genetic sequences, enabling subsequent translation of the genetic message and ultimately generating a series of amino acids that form new proteins. The functional consequences of these adaptations are determined by training volume, intensity and frequency, and the half-life of the protein. Moreover, many features of the training adaptation are specific to the type of stimulus, such as the mode of exercise. Prolonged endurance training elicits a variety of metabolic and morphological changes, including mitochondrial biogenesis, fast-to-slow fibre-type transformation and substrate metabolism. In contrast, heavy resistance exercise stimulates synthesis of contractile proteins responsible for muscle hypertrophy and increases in maximal contractile force output. Concomitant with the vastly different functional outcomes induced by these diverse exercise modes, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of adaptation are distinct. With recent advances in technology, it is now possible to study the effects of various training interventions on a variety of signalling proteins and early-response genes in skeletal muscle. Although it cannot presently be claimed that such scientific endeavours have influenced the training practices of elite athletes, these new and exciting technologies have provided insight into how current training techniques result in specific muscular adaptations, and may ultimately provide clues for future and novel training methodologies. Greater knowledge of the mechanisms and interaction of exercise-induced adaptive pathways in skeletal muscle is important for our understanding of the aetiology of disease, maintenance of metabolic and functional capacity with aging, and training for athletic performance. This article highlights the effects of exercise on molecular and genetic mechanisms of training adaptation in skeletal muscle.

Muscle transcriptome adaptations with mild eccentric ergometer exercise

The muscle has a wide range of possibilities to adapt its phenotype. Repetitive submaximal concentric exercise (i.e., shortening contractions) mainly leads to adaptations of muscle oxidative metabolism and endurance while eccentric exercise (i.e., lengthening contractions) results in muscle growth and gain of muscle strength. Modified gene expression is believed to mediate these exercise-specific muscle adjustments. In the present study, early alterations of the gene expression signature were monitored by a muscle-specific microarray. Transcript profiling was performed on muscle biopsies of vastus lateralis obtained from six male subjects before and in a 24-h time course after a single bout of mild eccentric ergometer exercise. The eccentric exercise consisted of 15 min of eccentric cycling at 50% of the individual maximal concentric power output leading to muscle soreness (5.9 on a 0-10 visual analogue scale) and limited muscle damage (1.7-fold elevated creatine kinase activity). Muscle impairment was highlighted by a transient reduction in jumping height after the eccentric exercise. On the gene expression level, we observed a general early downregulation of detected transcripts, followed by a slow recovery close to the control values within the first 24 h post exercise. Only very few regulatory factors were increased. This expression signature is different from the signature of a previously published metabolic response after an intensive endurance-type concentric exercise as well as after maximal eccentric exercise. This is the first description of the time course of changes in gene expression as a consequence of a mild eccentric stimulus.

Load-mediated downregulation of myostatin mRNA is not sufficient to promote myofiber hypertrophy in humans: a cluster analysis

Myostatin is a potent inhibitor of myogenesis; thus differential expression might be expected across individuals varying in responsiveness to myogenic stimuli. We hypothesized that myostatin would be differentially regulated across humans with markedly different hypertrophic responses to resistance training (RT; 16 wk). Targets were assessed in muscle biopsies at baseline (T1) and 24 h after the first (T2) and last (T3) loading bouts in previously untrained subjects statistically clustered based on mean myofiber hypertrophy as extreme (Xtr; n = 17, 2,475 microm(2)), modest (n = 32, 1,111 microm(2)), and nonresponders (n = 17, -16 microm(2)). We assessed protein levels of latent full-length myostatin protein complex and its propeptide; mRNA levels of myostatin, cyclin D1, p21(cip1), p27(kip1), and activin receptor IIB; and serum myostatin protein concentration. Total RNA concentration increased by T3 in nonresponders (37%) and modest responders (40%), while it increased acutely (T2) only in Xtr (26%), remaining elevated at T3 (40%). Myostatin mRNA decreased at T2 (-44%) and remained suppressed at T3 (-52%), but not differentially across clusters. Cyclin D1 mRNA increased robustly by T2 (38%) and T3 (74%). The increase at T2 was driven by Xtr (62%, P < 0.005), and Xtr had the largest elevation at T3 (82%, P < 0.001). No effects were found for other target transcripts. Myostatin protein complex increased 44% by T3 (P < 0.001), but not differentially by cluster. Myostatin protein complex propeptide and circulating myostatin were not influenced by RT or cluster. Overall, we found no compelling evidence that myostatin is differentially regulated in humans demonstrating robust RT-mediated myofiber hypertrophy vs. those more resistant to growth.

Skeletal muscle nNOSμ protein content is increased by exercise training in humans

The major isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in skeletal muscle is the splice variant of neuronal NOS, termed nNOSμ. Exercise training increases nNOSμ protein levels in rat skeletal muscle, but data in humans are conflicting. We performed two studies to determine 1) whether resting nNOSμ protein expression is greater in skeletal muscle of 10 endurance-trained athletes compared with 11 sedentary individuals ( study 1) and 2) whether intense short-term (10 days) exercise training increases resting nNOSμ protein (within whole muscle and also within types I, IIa, and IIx fibers) in eight sedentary individuals ( study 2). In study 1, nNOSμ protein was ∼60% higher ( P < 0.05) in endurance-trained athletes compared with the sedentary participants. In study 2, nNOSμ protein expression was similar in types I, IIa, and IIx fibers before training. Ten days of intense exercise training significantly ( P < 0.05) increased nNOSμ protein levels in types I, IIa, and IIx fibers, a finding that was validated by using whole muscle samples. Endothelial NOS and inducible NOS protein were barely detectable in the skeletal muscle samples. In conclusion, nNOSμ protein expression is greater in endurance-trained individuals when compared with sedentary individuals. Ten days of intense exercise is also sufficient to increase nNOSμ expression in untrained individuals, due to uniform increases of nNOSμ within types I, IIa, and IIx fibers.