Downhill Running Excessive Training Inhibits Hypertrophy in Mice Skeletal Muscles with Different Fiber Type Composition

Acute exercise modulates Trim63 and Bmal1 in the skeletal muscle of IL-10 knockout mice

The anti-inflammatory role of physical exercise is mediated by interleukin 10 (IL-10), and their release is possibly upregulated in response to IL-6. Previous studies demonstrated that mice lacking IL-6 (IL-6 KO mice) exhibited diminished exercise tolerance, and reduced strength. Rev-erbα, a transcriptional suppressor involved in circadian rhythm, has been discovered to inhibit the expression of genes linked to bodily functions, encompassing inflammation and metabolism. It also plays a significant role in skeletal muscle and exercise performance capacity. Given the potential association between Rev-erbα and the immune system and the fact that both pathways are modulated following acute aerobic exercise, we examined the physical performance of IL-10 KO mice and analyzed the modulation of the atrophy and Rev-erbα pathways in the muscle of wild type (WT) and IL-10 KO mice following one session of acute exercise. For each phenotype, WT and IL-10 KO were divided into two subgroups (Control and Exercise). The acute exercise session started at 6 m/min, followed by 3 m/min increments every 3 min until animal exhaustion. Two hours after the end of the exercise protocol, the gastrocnemius muscle was removed and prepared for the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-q-PCR) and immunoblotting technique. In summary, compared to WT, the IL-10 KO animals showed lower body weight and grip strength in the baseline. The IL-10 control group presented a lower protein content of BMAL1. After the exercise protocol, the IL-10 KO group had higher mRNA levels of Trim63 (atrophy signaling pathway) and lower mRNA levels of Clock and Bmal1 (Rev-erbα signaling pathway). This is the first study showing the relationship between Rev-erbα and atrophy in IL-10 KO mice. Also, we accessed a public database that analyzed the gastrocnemius of MuRF KO mice submitted to two processes of muscle atrophy, a denervation surgery and dexamethasone (Dexa) injections. Independently of knockout, the denervation demonstrated lower Nr1d1 levels. In conclusion, IL-10 seems to be a determinant in the Rev-erbα pathway and atrophy after acute exercise, with no modulation in the baseline state.

Effects of preconditioning with heat stress on acute exercise-induced intracellular signaling in male rat gastrocnemius muscle

Heat stress (HS) induces Akt/mTOR phosphorylation and FoxO3a signaling; however, whether a prior increase in heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) expression affects intracellular signaling following eccentric exercise remains unclear. We analyzed the effects of HS pretreatment on intramuscular signaling in response to acute exercise in 10-week-old male Wistar rats (n = 24). One leg of each rat was exposed to HS and the other served as an internal control (CT). Post-HS, rats were either rested or subjected to downhill treadmill running. Intramuscular signaling responses in the red and white regions of the gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed before, immediately after, or 1 h after exercise (n = 8/group). HS significantly increased HSP72 levels in both deep red and superficial white regions. Although HS did not affect exercise-induced mTOR signaling (S6K1/ERK) responses in the red region, mTOR phosphorylation in the white region was significantly higher in CT legs than in HS legs after exercise. Thr308 phosphorylation of Akt showed region-specific alteration with a decrease in the red region and an increase in the white region immediately after downhill running. Overall, a prior increase in HSP72 expression elicits fiber type-specific changes in exercise-induced Akt and mTOR phosphorylation in rat gastrocnemius muscle.

Treadmill training does not enhance skeletal muscle recovery following disuse atrophy in older male mice

Introduction: A hallmark of aging is poor muscle recovery following disuse atrophy. Efficacious strategies to enhance muscle recovery following disuse atrophy in aging are non-existent. Prior exercise training could result in favorable muscle morphological and cellular adaptations that may promote muscle recovery in aging. Here, we characterized the impact of exercise training on skeletal muscle inflammatory and metabolic profiles and cellular remodeling and function, together with femoral artery reactivity prior to and following recovery from disuse atrophy in aged male mice. We hypothesized that 12 weeks of treadmill training in aged male mice would improve skeletal muscle cellular remodeling at baseline and during recovery from disuse atrophy, resulting in improved muscle regrowth. Methods: Physical performance, ex vivo muscle and vascular function, tissue and organ mass, hindlimb muscle cellular remodeling (macrophage, satellite cell, capillary, myofiber size, and fibrosis), and proteolytic, inflammatory, and metabolic muscle transcripts were evaluated in aged exercise-trained and sedentary mice. Results: We found that at baseline following exercise training (vs. sedentary mice), exercise capacity and physical function increased, fat mass decreased, and endothelial function improved. However, exercise training did not alter tibialis anterior or gastrocnemius muscle transcriptional profile, macrophage, satellite cell, capillarity or collagen content, or myofiber size and only tended to increase tibialis mass during recovery from disuse atrophy. Conclusion: While exercise training in old male mice improved endothelial function, physical performance, and whole-body tissue composition as anticipated, 12 weeks of treadmill training had limited impact on skeletal muscle remodeling at baseline or in response to recovery following disuse atrophy.

Genetic ablation of Toll-like Receptor 4 seems to activate the apoptosis pathway in the skeletal muscle of mice after acute physical exercise

Many conditions, such as inflammation and physical exercise, can induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) can trigger inflammation and ER stress events. However, there are still no data in the literature regarding the role of TLR4 in ER stress during exercise in skeletal muscle. Therefore, the current investigation aimed to verify the responses of ER stress markers in wild-type (WT) and Tlr4 global knockout (KO) mice after acute and chronic physical exercise protocols. Eight-week-old male WT and KO mice were submitted to acute (moderate or high intensity) and chronic (4-week protocol) treadmill exercises. Under basal conditions, KO mice showed lower performance in the rotarod test. Acute high-intensity exercise increased eIF2α protein in the WT group. After the acute high-intensity exercise, there was an increase in Casp3 and Ddit3 mRNA for the KO mice. Acute moderate exercise increased the cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 in the KO group. In response to chronic exercise, the KO group showed no improvement in any performance evaluation. The 4-week chronic protocol did not generate changes in ATF6, CHOP, p-IRE1α, p-eIF2α/eIF2α, and cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 ratio but reduced BiP protein compared with the KO-Sedentary group. These results demonstrate the global deletion of Tlr4 seems to have the same effects on UPR markers of WT animals after acute and chronic exercise protocols but decreased performance. The cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 ratio may be activated by another pathway other than ER stress in Tlr4 KO animals.

Exercise alters the circadian rhythm of REV-ERB-α and downregulates autophagy-related genes in peripheral and central tissues

The transcriptional repressor REV-ERB-α, encoded by Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1 Group D Member 1 (Nr1d1), has been considered to play an essential role in the skeletal muscle oxidative capacity adaptation and muscle mass control. Also, this molecule regulates autophagy via the repression of autophagy-related genes both in skeletal muscle and brain regions. Classically, training programs based on endurance or strength characteristics enhance skeletal muscle mass content and/or oxidative capacity, leading to autophagy activation in several tissues. Thus, it seems that REV-ERB-α regulates similar responses induced by exercise. However, how this molecule responds to different exercise models/intensities in different tissues is still unclear. Therefore, the main aim was to characterize the responses of REV-ERB-α and autophagy-related genes to different exercise protocols (endurance/interval run/strength) in distinct tissues (gastrocnemius, soleus and hippocampus). Since REV-ERB-α presents a circadian rhythm, the analyses were performed in a time-course manner. The endurance and strength groups attenuated REV-ERB-α transcriptional response during the time course in gastrocnemius and soleus. Conversely, the interval group enhanced the Nr1d1 expression in the hippocampus. All protocols downregulated the REV-ERB-α protein levels in gastrocnemius following the exercise session with concomitant nuclear exclusion. The major autophagy-related genes presented downregulation after the exercise session in all analyzed tissues. Altogether, these results highlight that REV-ERB-α is extremely sensitive to physical exercise stimuli, including different models and intensities in skeletal muscle and the hippocampus.

Combined physical exercise reverses the reduced expression of Bmal1 in the liver of aged mice

Aging can modify the morphology and function of the liver, such as generating a decrease in the mitochondria content, autophagy, and cell senescence. Although exercise training has several beneficial effects on hepatic metabolism, its actions on autophagy processes, mitochondrial function, and cellular senescence need to be more widely explored. The present study verified the effects of aging and exercise on hepatic circadian markers, autophagy, and mitochondria activity in 24-month-old mice with a combined exercise training protocol. In addition, we used public datasets from human livers in several conditions and BMAL1 knockout mice. C57BL/6 mice were distributed into Control (CT, young, 6-month-old mice), sedentary old (Old Sed, sedentary, 24-month-old mice), and exercised old (Old Ex, 24-month-old mice submitted to a combined exercise training protocol). The exercise training protocol consisted of three days of endurance exercise - treadmill running, and two days of resistance exercise - climbing a ladder, for three weeks. At the end of the protocol, the liver was removed and prepared for histological analysis, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunoblotting technique, and oxygen consumption. Heatmaps were built using a human dataset and Bmal1 knockout samples. In summary, the Old Sed had reduced strength, coordination, and balance, as well as a decrease in Bmal1 expression and the presence of degenerated liver cells. Still, this group upregulated the transcription factors related to mitochondrial biogenesis. The Old Ex group had increased strength, coordination, and balance, improved glucose sensitivity, as well as restored Bmal1 expression and the mitochondrial transcription factors. The human datasets indicated that mitochondrial markers and autophagy strongly correlate with specific liver diseases but not aging. We can speculate that mitochondrial and autophagy molecular markers alterations may depend on long-term training.

IL-6 deletion decreased REV-ERBα protein and influenced autophagy and mitochondrial markers in the skeletal muscle after acute exercise

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) acts as a pro and anti-inflammatory cytokine, has an intense correlation with exercise intensity, and activates various pathways such as autophagy and mitochondrial unfolded protein response. Also, IL-6 is interconnected to circadian clock-related inflammation and can be suppressed by the nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group D, member 1 (Nr1d1, protein product REV-ERBα). Since IL-6 is linked to physical exercise-modulated metabolic pathways such as autophagy and mitochondrial metabolism, we investigated the relationship of IL-6 with REV-ERBα in the adaptations of these molecular pathways in response to acute intense physical exercise in skeletal muscle. The present study was divided into three experiments. In the first one, wild-type (WT) and IL-6 knockout (IL-6 KO) mice were divided into three groups: Basal time (Basal; sacrificed before the acute exercise), 1 hour (1hr post-Ex; sacrificed 1 hour after the acute exercise), and 3 hours (3hr post-Ex; sacrificed 3 hours after the acute exercise). In the second experiment, C2C12 cells received IL-6 physiological concentrations or REV-ERBα agonist, SR9009. In the last experiment, WT mice received SR9009 injections. After the protocols, the gastrocnemius muscle or the cells were collected for reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTq-PCR) and immunoblotting techniques. In summary, the downregulation of REV-ERBα, autophagic flux, and most mitochondrial genes was verified in the IL-6 KO mice independent of exercise. The WT and IL-6 KO treated with SR9009 showed an upregulation of autophagic genes. C2C12 cells receiving IL-6 did not modulate the Nr1d1 mRNA levels but upregulated the expression of some mitochondrial genes. However, when treated with SR9009, IL-6 and mitochondrial gene expression were upregulated in C2C12 cells. The autophagic flux in C2C12 suggest the participation of REV-ERBα protein in the IL-6-induced autophagy. In conclusion, the present study verified that the adaptations required through physical exercise (increases in mitochondrial content and improvement of autophagy machinery) might be intermediated by an interaction between IL-6 and REVERBα.

Muscle endoplasmic reticulum stress in exercise

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle responsible for the post-translational folding and modification of proteins. Under stress conditions, such as physical exercise, there is accumulation of misfolded proteins. The increased load of proteins in the ER results in ER stress, which activates the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR is comprised of three parallel pathways, responsible for ensuring the quality of secreted proteins. Scientific studies show that resistance or endurance acute physical exercise can induce ER stress and activate the UPR pathways. On the other hand, regular moderate-intensity exercise can attenuate the responses of genes and proteins related to ER stress. However, these positive adaptations do not occur when exercise intensity and volume increase without adequate rest periods, which is observed in overtraining. The current review discusses the frontier-of-knowledge findings on the effects of different acute and chronic physical exercise protocols on skeletal muscle ER stress and its metabolic consequences.

Effect of eccentric and concentric contraction mode on myogenic regulatory factors expression in human vastus lateralis muscle

Skeletal muscle contractions are caused to release myokines by muscle fiber. This study investigated the myogenic regulatory factors, as MHC I, IIA, IIX, Myo-D, MRF4, Murf, Atrogin-1, Decorin, Myonection, and IL-15 mRNA expression in the response of eccentric vs concentric contraction. Eighteen healthy men were randomly divided into two eccentric and concentric groups, each of 9 persons. Isokinetic contraction protocols included maximal single-leg eccentric or concentric knee extension tasks at 60°/s with the dominant leg. Contractions consisted of a maximum of 12 sets of 10 reps, and the rest time between each set was 30 s. The baseline biopsy was performed 4 weeks before the study, and post-test biopsies were taken immediately after exercise protocols from the vastus lateralis muscle. The gene expression levels were evaluated using Real-Time PCR methods. The eccentric group showed a significantly lower RPE score than the concentric group (P ≤ 0.05). A significant difference in MyoD, MRF4, Myonection, and Decorin mRNA, were observed following eccentric or concentric contractions (P ≤ 0.05). The MHC I, MHC IIA, IL-15 mRNA has been changed significantly compared to the pre-exercise in the concentric group (P ≤ 0.05). While only MHC IIX and Atrogin-1 mRNA changed significantly in the eccentric group (P ≤ 0.05). Additionally, the results showed a significant difference in MyoD, MRF4, IL-15, and Decorin at the follow-up values between eccentric or concentric groups (P ≤ 0.05). Our findings highlight the growing importance of elucidating the different responses of muscle growth factors associated with a myogenic activity such as MHC IIA, Decorin, IL-15, Myonectin, Decorin, MuRF1, and MHC IIX mRNA in following various types of exercise.

TLR4 deletion increases basal energy expenditure and attenuates heart apoptosis and ER stress but mitigates the training-induced cardiac function and performance improvement

Strategies capable of attenuating TLR4 can attenuate metabolic processes such as inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and apoptosis in the body. Physical exercise has been a cornerstone in suppressing inflammation and dysmetabolic outcomes caused by TRL4 activation. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of a chronic physical exercise protocol on the TLR4 expression and its repercussion in the inflammation, ER stress, and apoptosis pathways in mice hearts. Echocardiogram, RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, and histological techniques were used to evaluate the left ventricle of wild-type (WT) and Tlr4 knockout (TLR4 KO) mice submitted to a 4-week physical exercise protocol. Moreover, we performed a bioinformatics analysis to expand the relationship of Tlr4 mRNA in the heart with inflammation, ER stress, and apoptosis-related genes of several isogenic strains of BXD mice. The TLR4 KO mice had higher energy expenditure and heart rate in the control state but lower activation of apoptosis and ER stress pathways. The bioinformatics analysis reinforced these data. In the exercised state, the WT mice improved performance and cardiac function. However, these responses were blunted in the KO group. In conclusion, TLR4 has an essential role in the inhibition of apoptosis and ER stress pathways, as well as in the training-induced beneficial adaptations.

Identification of Potentially Related Genes and Mechanisms Involved in Skeletal Muscle Atrophy Induced by Excessive Exercise in Zebrafish

Long-term imbalance between fatigue and recovery may eventually lead to muscle weakness or even atrophy. We previously reported that excessive exercise induces pathological cardiac hypertrophy. However, the effect of excessive exercise on the skeletal muscles remains unclear. In the present study, we successfully established an excessive-exercise-induced skeletal muscle atrophy zebrafish model, with decreased muscle fiber size, critical swimming speed, and maximal oxygen consumption. High-throughput RNA-seq analysis identified differentially expressed genes in the model system compared with control zebrafish. Gene ontology and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the upregulated genes were enriched in autophagy, homeostasis, circadian rhythm, response to oxidative stress, apoptosis, the p53 signaling pathway, and the FoxO signaling pathway. Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified several hub genes, including keap1b, per3, ulk1b, socs2, esrp1, bcl2l1, hsp70, igf2r, mdm2, rab18a, col1a1a, fn1a, ppih, tpx2, uba5, nhlrc2, mcm4, tac1, b3gat3, and ddost, that correlate with the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle atrophy induced by excessive exercise. The underlying regulatory pathways and muscle-pressure-response-related genes identified in the present study will provide valuable insights for prescribing safe and accurate exercise programs for athletes and the supervision and clinical treatment of muscle atrophy induced by excessive exercise.

Moderate, but Not Excessive, Training Attenuates Autophagy Machinery in Metabolic Tissues

The protective effects of chronic moderate exercise-mediated autophagy include the prevention and treatment of several diseases and the extension of lifespan. In addition, physical exercise may impair cellular structures, requiring the action of the autophagy mechanism for clearance and renovation of damaged cellular components. For the first time, we investigated the adaptations on basal autophagy flux in vivo in mice's liver, heart, and skeletal muscle tissues submitted to four different chronic exercise models: endurance, resistance, concurrent, and overtraining. Measuring the autophagy flux in vivo is crucial to access the functionality of the autophagy pathway since changes in this pathway can occur in more than five steps. Moreover, the responses of metabolic, performance, and functional parameters, as well as genes and proteins related to the autophagy pathway, were addressed. In summary, the regular exercise models exhibited normal/enhanced adaptations with reduced autophagy-related proteins in all tissues. On the other hand, the overtrained group presented higher expression of Sqstm1 and Bnip3 with negative morphological and physical performance adaptations for the liver and heart, respectively. The groups showed different adaptions in autophagy flux in skeletal muscle, suggesting the activation or inhibition of basal autophagy may not always be related to improvement or impairment of performance.

Pathophysiology of exercise-induced muscle damage and its structural, functional, metabolic, and clinical consequences

Extreme or unaccustomed eccentric exercise can cause exercise-induced muscle damage, characterized by structural changes involving sarcomere, cytoskeletal, and membrane damage, with an increased permeability of sarcolemma for proteins. From a functional point of view, disrupted force transmission, altered calcium homeostasis, disruption of excitation-contraction coupling, as well as metabolic changes bring about loss of strength. Importantly, the trauma also invokes an inflammatory response and clinically presents itself by swelling, decreased range of motion, increased passive tension, soreness, and a transient decrease in insulin sensitivity. While being damaging and influencing heavily the ability to perform repeated bouts of exercise, changes produced by exercise-induced muscle damage seem to play a crucial role in myofibrillar adaptation. Additionally, eccentric exercise yields greater hypertrophy than isometric or concentric contractions and requires less in terms of metabolic energy and cardiovascular stress, making it especially suitable for the elderly and people with chronic diseases. This review focuses on our current knowledge of the mechanisms underlying exercise-induced muscle damage, their dependence on genetic background, as well as their consequences at the structural, functional, metabolic, and clinical level. A comprehensive understanding of these is a prerequisite for proper inclusion of eccentric training in health promotion, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement.

Role of interleukin-6 in inhibiting hepatic autophagy markers in exercised mice

BACKGROUND

Based on the crosstalk of inflammation with apoptosis, autophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, the main objective of this study was to explore the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) on genes and proteins related to these phenomena in the livers of mice submitted to acute exhaustive exercise.

METHODS

Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting technique were used to evaluate the livers of wild-type (WT) and IL-6 knockout (KO) mice at baseline (BL) and 3 h after the acute exhaustive physical exercise (EE).

RESULTS

Compared to the WT at baseline, the IL-6 KO had lower exhaustion velocity, mRNA levels of Mtor, Ulk1, Map1lc3b, and Mapk14, and protein contents of ATG5 and p-p70S6K/p70S6K. For the WT group, the EE decreased glycemia, mRNA levels of Casp3, Mtor, Ulk1, Foxo1a, Mapk14, and Ppargc1a, and protein contents of ATG5 and p-p70S6K/p70S6K, but increased mRNA levels of Sqstm1. For the IL-6 KO group, the EE decreased glycemia, mRNA levels of Casp3 and Foxo1a, and protein contents of pAkt/Akt and Mature/Pro IL-1beta, but increased mRNA levels of Sqstm1, and protein contents of p-AMPK/AMPK.

CONCLUSION

The inhibition of the hepatic autophagy markers induced by the acute EE was attenuated in IL-6 KO mice, highlighting a new function of this cytokine.

The Combination of Fasting, Acute Resistance Exercise, and Protein Ingestion Led to Different Responses of Autophagy Markers in Gastrocnemius and Liver Samples

The present study verified the responses of proteins related to the autophagy pathway after 10 h of fast with resistance exercise and protein ingestion in skeletal muscle and liver samples. The rats were distributed into five experimental groups: control (CT; sedentary and without gavage after fast), exercise immediately (EXE-imm; after fast, rats were submitted to the resistance protocol and received water by gavage immediately after exercise), exercise after 1 h (EXE-1h; after fast, rats were submitted to the resistance protocol and received water by gavage 1 h after exercise), exercise and supplementation immediately after exercise (EXE/Suppl-imm; after fast, rats were submitted to the resistance protocol and received a mix of casein: whey protein 1:1 (w/w) by gavage immediately after exercise), exercise and supplementation 1 h after exercise (EXE/Suppl-1h; after fast, rats were submitted to the resistance protocol and received a mix of casein: whey protein 1:1 (w/w) by gavage 1 h after exercise). In summary, the current findings show that the combination of fasting, acute resistance exercise, and protein blend ingestion (immediately or 1 h after the exercise stimulus) increased the serum levels of leucine, insulin, and glucose, as well as the autophagy protein contents in skeletal muscle, but decreased other proteins related to the autophagic pathway in the liver. These results deserve further mechanistic investigations since athletes are combining fasting with physical exercise to enhance health and performance outcomes.

Intramuscular mechanisms of overtraining

Strenuous exercise is a potent stimulus to induce beneficial skeletal muscle adaptations, ranging from increased endurance due to mitochondrial biogenesis and angiogenesis, to increased strength from hypertrophy. While exercise is necessary to trigger and stimulate muscle adaptations, the post-exercise recovery period is equally critical in providing sufficient time for metabolic and structural adaptations to occur within skeletal muscle. These cyclical periods between exhausting exercise and recovery form the basis of any effective exercise training prescription to improve muscle endurance and strength. However, imbalance between the fatigue induced from intense training/competitions, and inadequate post-exercise/competition recovery periods can lead to a decline in physical performance. In fact, prolonged periods of this imbalance may eventually lead to extended periods of performance impairment, referred to as the state of overreaching that may progress into overtraining syndrome (OTS). OTS may have devastating implications on an athlete's career and the purpose of this review is to discuss potential underlying mechanisms that may contribute to exercise-induced OTS in skeletal muscle. First, we discuss the conditions that lead to OTS, and their potential contributions to impaired skeletal muscle function. Then we assess the evidence to support or refute the major proposed mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle weakness in OTS: 1) glycogen depletion hypothesis, 2) muscle damage hypothesis, 3) inflammation hypothesis, and 4) the oxidative stress hypothesis. Current data implicates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS) and inflammatory pathways as the most likely mechanisms contributing to OTS in skeletal muscle. Finally, we allude to potential interventions that can mitigate OTS in skeletal muscle.

Effect of β-alanine supplementation during high-intensity interval training on repeated sprint ability performance and neuromuscular fatigue

The study investigated the influence of β-alanine supplementation during a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on repeated sprint ability (RSA) performance. This study was randomized, double-blinded, and placebo controlled. Eighteen men performed an incremental running test until exhaustion (TINC) at baseline and followed by 4-wk HIIT (10 × 1-min runs 90% maximal TINCvelocity [1-min recovery]). Then, participants were randomized into two groups and performed a 6-wk HIIT associated with supplementation of 6.4 g/day of β-alanine (Gβ) or dextrose (placebo group; GP). Pre- and post-6-wk HIIT + supplementation, participants performed the following tests: 1) TINC; 2) supramaximal running test; and 3) 2 × 6 × 35-m sprints (RSA). Before and immediately after RSA, neuromuscular function was assessed by vertical jumps, maximal isometric voluntary contractions of knee extension, and neuromuscular electrical stimulations. Muscle biopsies were performed to determine muscle carnosine content, muscle buffering capacity in vitro (βmin vitro), and content of phosphofructokinase (PFK), monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Both groups showed a significant time effect for maximal oxygen uptake (Gβ: 6.2 ± 3.6% and GP: 6.5 ± 4.2%; P > 0.01); only Gβ showed a time effect for total (−3.0 ± 2.0%; P = 0.001) and best (−3.3 ± 3.0%; P = 0.03) RSA times. A group-by-time interaction was shown after HIIT + Supplementation for muscle carnosine (Gβ: 34.4 ± 2.3 mmol·kg−1·dm−1and GP: 20.7 ± 3.0 mmol·kg−1·dm−1; P = 0.003) and neuromuscular voluntary activation after RSA (Gβ: 87.2 ± 3.3% and GP: 78.9 ± 12.4%; P = 0.02). No time effect or group-by-time interaction was shown for supramaximal running test performance, βm, and content of PFK, MCT4, and HIF-1α. In summary, β-alanine supplementation during HIIT increased muscle carnosine and attenuated neuromuscular fatigue, which may contribute to an enhancement of RSA performance.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY β-Alanine supplementation during a high-intensity interval training program increased repeated sprint performance. The improvement of muscle carnosine content induced by β-alanine supplementation may have contributed to an attenuation of central fatigue during repeated sprint. Overall, β-alanine supplementation may be a useful dietary intervention to prevent fatigue.

Postoperative Tendon Loading With Treadmill Running Delays Tendon-to-Bone Healing: Immunohistochemical Evaluation in a Murine Rotator Cuff Repair Model

Mechanical stress has an important effect on tendon-to-bone healing. The purpose of the present study was to compare tendon-to-bone healing in animals exposed to either tendon unloading (botulinum toxin injection) or excessive loading (treadmill running) in a murine rotator cuff repair model. Forty-eight C57BL/6 mice underwent unilateral supraspinatus tendon detachment and repair. Mice in the unloaded group were injected with botulinum toxin to the supraspinatus muscle. The contralateral shoulder of the unloaded group was used as a control. Mice were euthanized at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after surgery and evaluated with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for Ihh, Gli1, Wnt3a, and β-catenin. The positive staining area on IHC and the Modified Tendon Maturing Score were measured. The score of the unloaded group was significantly higher (better healing) than that of the treadmill group at 4 weeks. Ihh and the glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) positive area in the unloaded group were significantly higher than those of the control group at 1 week. The peak time-points of the Ihh and Gli1 positive area was 1 week for the unloaded group and 2 weeks for the treadmill group. The Wnt3a positive area in the unloaded group was significantly higher than that of the control group at 2 weeks. The β-catenin positive area in the unloaded group was significantly higher than that of the treadmill group and the control group at 1 week. Our data indicated that the unloaded group has superior tendon maturation compared to the treadmill running group. Excessive tendon loading may delay the tendon healing process by affecting the activity of Ihh and Wnt/β-Catenin pathways. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1628-1637, 2019.

The proinflammatory effects of chronic excessive exercise

Chronic moderate-intensity exercise is an efficient non-pharmacological strategy to prevent and treat several diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, cancers, and Parkinson's disease. On the other hand, improving an athlete's performance requires completing high-intensity and volume exercise sessions. When the delicate balance between high-load exercise sessions and adequate recovery periods is disrupted, excessive training (known as overtraining) can lead to performance decline. The cytokine hypothesis considers that an imbalance involving excessive exercise and inadequate recovery induces musculoskeletal trauma, increasing the production and release of proinflammatory cytokines, mainly interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), which interact with different organic systems, initiating most of the signs and symptoms linked to performance decrement. This leading article used recent data to discuss the scientific basis of Smith's cytokine theory and highlighted that the adverse effects of excessive exercise go beyond performance decline, proposing a multi-organ approach for this issue. These recent insights will allow coaches and exercise physiologists to develop strategies to avoid chronic excessive exercise-induced adverse outcomes.

Excessive treadmill training enhances the insulin signaling pathway and glycogen deposition in mice hearts

Exhaustive and chronic physical exercise leads to peripheral inflammation, which is one of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the impairment of the insulin signaling pathway in the heart. Recently, 3 different running overtraining models performed downhill (OTR/down), uphill (OTR/up), and without inclination (OTR) increased the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines. This proinflammatory status induced insulin signaling impairment in the skeletal muscle; however, the response of this signaling pathway in the cardiac muscle of overtrained mice was still unknown. Thus, we investigated the effects of OTR/down, OTR/up, and OTR protocols on the protein levels of phosphorylation of insulin receptor β (pIRβ) (Tyr), phosphorylation of protein kinase B (pAkt) (Ser473), plasma membrane glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) and GLUT4, phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (pIRS-1) (Ser307), phosphorylation of IκB kinase α/β) (pIKKα/β (Ser180/181), phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38MAPK) (Thr180/Tyr182), phosphorylation of stress-activated protein kinases-Jun amino-terminal kinases (pSAPK-JNK) (Thr183/Tyr185), and glycogen content in mice hearts. The rodents were divided into naïve (N, sedentary mice), control (CT, sedentary mice submitted to performance evaluations), trained (TR, performed the training protocol), OTR/down, OTR/up, and OTR groups. After the grip force test, the cardiac muscles (ie, left ventricle) were removed and used for immunoblotting and histology. Although the OTR/up and OTR groups exhibited higher cardiac levels of pIRβ (Tyr), only the OTR group exhibited higher cardiac levels of pAkt (Ser473) and plasma membrane GLUT4. On the contrary, the OTR/down group exhibited higher cardiac levels of pIRS-1 (Ser307). The OTR model enhanced the cardiac insulin signaling pathway. All overtraining models increased the left ventricle glycogen content, with this probably acting as a compensatory organ in response to skeletal muscle insulin signaling impairment.

Exhaustive acute exercise-induced ER stress is attenuated in IL-6-knockout mice

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inflammation relationship occurs at different levels and is essential for the adequate homeostatic function of cellular systems, becoming harmful when chronically engaged. Intense physical exercise enhances serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6). In response to a chronic exhaustive physical exercise protocol, our research group verified an increase of the IL-6 concentration and ER stress proteins in extensor digitorium longus (EDL) and soleus. Based on these results, we hypothesized that IL-6-knockout mice would demonstrate a lower modulation in the ER stress proteins compared to the wild-type mice. To clarify the relationship between exercise-induced IL-6 increased and ER stress, we studied the effects of an acute exhaustive physical exercise protocol on the levels of ER stress proteins in the skeletal muscles of IL-6-knockout (KO) mice. The WT group displayed a higher exhaustion time compared to the IL-6 KO group. After 1 h of the acute exercise protocol, the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were enhanced in the WT group. Independent of the experimental group, the CHOP and cleaved caspase 12/total caspase 12 ratio in EDL as well as ATF6 and CHOP in soleus were sensitive to the acute exercise protocol. Compared to the WT group, the oscillation patterns over time of BiP in EDL and soleus as well as of peIF2-alpha/eIF2-alpha ratio in soleus were attenuated for the IL-6 KO group. In conclusion, IL-6 seems to be related with the ER stress homeostasis, once knockout mice presented attenuation of BiP in EDL and soleus as well as of pEiF2-alpha/EiF2-alpha ratio in soleus after the acute exhaustive physical exercise protocol.

Effects of Cyclic Mechanical Stretch on the Proliferation of L6 Myoblasts and Its Mechanisms: PI3K/Akt and MAPK Signal Pathways Regulated by IGF-1 Receptor

Myoblast proliferation is crucial to skeletal muscle hypertrophy and regeneration. Our previous study indicated that mechanical stretch altered the proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts, associated with insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-mediated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt (also known as protein kinase B) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways through IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R). The purpose of this study was to explore the same stretches on the proliferation of L6 myoblasts and its association with IGF-1-regulated PI3K/Akt and MAPK activations. L6 myoblasts were divided into three groups: control, 15% stretch, and 20% stretch. Stretches were achieved using FlexCell Strain Unit. Cell proliferation and IGF-1 concentration were detected by CCK8 and ELISA, respectively. IGF-1R expression, and expressions and activities of PI3K, Akt, and MAPKs (including extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and p38) were determined by Western blot. We found that 15% stretch promoted, while 20% stretch inhibited L6 myoblast proliferation. A 15% stretch increased IGF-1R level, although had no effect on IGF-1 secretion of L6 myoblasts, and PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 (not p38) inhibitors attenuated 15% stretch-induced pro-proliferation. Exogenous IGF-1 reversed 20% stretch-induced anti-proliferation, accompanied with increases in IGF-1R level as well as PI3K/Akt and MAPK (ERK1/2 and p38) activations. In conclusion, stretch regulated L6 myoblasts proliferation, which may be mediated by the changes in PI3K/Akt and MAPK activations regulated by IGF-1R, despite no detectable IGF-1 from stretched L6 myoblasts.

Excessive training induces molecular signs of pathologic cardiac hypertrophy

Chronic exercise induces cardiac remodeling that promotes left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac functional improvement, which are mediated by the mammalian or the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) as well as by the androgen and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). However, pathological conditions (i.e., chronic heart failure, hypertension, and aortic stenosis, etc.) also induce cardiac hypertrophy, but with detrimental function, high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and myostatin, elevated fibrosis, reduced adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, and fetal gene reactivation. Furthermore, recent studies have evidenced that excessive training induced an inflammatory status in the serum, muscle, hypothalamus, and liver, suggesting a pathological condition that could also be detrimental to cardiac tissue. Here, we verified the effects of three running overtraining (OT) models on the molecular parameters related to physiological and pathological cardiac hypertrophy. C57BL/6 mice performed three different OT protocols and were evaluated for molecular parameters related to physiological and pathological cardiac hypertrophy, including immunoblotting, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, histology, and immunohistochemistry analyses. In summary, the three OT protocols induced left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy with signs of cardiac fibrosis and negative morphological adaptations. These maladaptations were accompanied by reductions in AMPKalpha (Thr172) phosphorylation, androgen receptor, and GR expressions, as well as by an increase in interleukin-6 expression. Specifically, the downhill running-based OT model reduced the content of some proteins related to the mTOR signaling pathway and upregulated the β-isoform of myosin heavy-chain gene expression, presenting signs of LV pathological hypertrophy development.

Uphill Running Excessive Training Increases Gastrocnemius Glycogen Content in C57BL/6 Mice

The main aim of the present investigation was to verify the effects of three overtraining (OT) protocols performed in downhill (OTR/down), uphill (OTR/up) and without inclination (OTR) on the protein levels of Akt (Ser473), AMPKα (Thr172), PGC-1α, plasma membrane GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 as well as on the glycogen contents in mice gastrocnemius. A trained (TR) protocol was used as positive control. Rodents were divided into naïve (N, sedentary mice), control (CT, sedentary mice submitted to the performance evaluations), TR, OTR/down, OTR/up and OTR groups. At the end of the experimental protocols, gastrocnemius samples were removed and used for immunoblotting analysis as well as for glycogen measurements. There was no significant difference between the experimental groups for the protein levels of pAkt (Ser473), pAMPKα (Thr172), PGC-1α, plasma membrane GLUT-1 and GLUT-4. However, the OTR/up protocol exhibited higher contents of glycogen compared to the CT and TR groups. In summary, the OTR/up group increased the gastrocnemius glycogen content without significant changes of pAkt (Ser473), pAMPKα (Thr172), PGC-1α, plasma membrane GLUT-1 and GLUT-4.

Treadmill Slope Modulates Inflammation, Fiber Type Composition, Androgen, and Glucocorticoid Receptors in the Skeletal Muscle of Overtrained Mice

Overtraining (OT) may be defined as an imbalance between excessive training and adequate recovery period. Recently, a downhill running-based overtraining (OTR/down) protocol induced the nonfunctional overreaching state, which is defined as a performance decrement that may be associated with psychological and hormonal disruptions and promoted intramuscular and systemic inflammation. To discriminate the eccentric contraction effects on interleukin 1beta (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-10, IL-15, and SOCS-3, we compared the release of these cytokines in OTR/down with other two OT protocols with the same external load (i.e., the product between training intensity and volume), but performed in uphill (OTR/up) and without inclination (OTR). Also, we evaluated the effects of these OT models on the muscle morphology and fiber type composition, serum levels of fatigue markers and corticosterone, as well as androgen receptor (AR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expressions. For extensor digitorum longus (EDL), OTR/down and OTR groups increased the cytokines and exhibited micro-injuries with polymorphonuclear infiltration. While OTR/down group increased the cytokines in soleus muscle, OTR/up group only increased IL-6. All OT groups presented micro-injuries with polymorphonuclear infiltration. In serum, while OTR/down and OTR/up protocols increased IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, OTR group increased IL-1β, IL-6, IL-15, and corticosterone. The type II fibers in EDL and soleus, total and phosphorylated AR levels in soleus, and total GR levels in EDL and soleus were differentially modulated by the OT protocols. In summary, the proinflammatory cytokines were more sensitive for OTR/down than for OTR/up and OTR. Also, the specific treadmill inclination of each OT model influenced most of the other evaluated parameters.

Excessive training is associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress but not apoptosis in the hypothalamus of mice

Downhill running-based overtraining model increases the hypothalamic levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, SOCS3, and pSAPK-JNK. The aim of the present study was to verify the effects of 3 overtraining protocols on the levels of BiP, pIRE-1 (Ser724), pPERK (Thr981), pelF2α (Ser52), ATF-6, GRP-94, caspase 4, caspase 12, pAKT (Ser473), pmTOR (Ser2448), and pAMPK (Thr172) proteins in the mouse hypothalamus. The mice were randomized into the control, overtrained by downhill running (OTR/down), overtrained by uphill running (OTR/up), and overtrained by running without inclination (OTR) groups. After the overtraining protocols (i.e., at the end of week 8), hypothalamus was removed and used for immunoblotting. The OTR/down group exhibited increased levels of all of the analyzed endoplasmic reticulum stress markers in the hypothalamus at the end of week 8. The OTR/up and OTR groups exhibited increased levels of BiP, pIRE-1 (Ser724), and pPERK (Thr981) in the hypothalamus at the end of week 8. There were no significant differences in the levels of caspase 4, caspase 12, pAKT (Ser473), pmTOR (Ser2448), and pAMPK (Thr172) between the experimental groups at the end of week 8. In conclusion, the 3 overtraining protocols increased the endoplasmic reticulum stress at the end of week 8.

Levels of Hepatic Activating Transcription Factor 6 and Caspase-3 Are Downregulated in Mice after Excessive Training

Recently, we demonstrated that different running overtraining (OT) protocols with the same external load, but performed downhill (OTR/down), uphill (OTR/up), and without inclination (OTR), led to hepatic fat accumulation. As the disruption of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis is linked to animal models of fatty liver disease, we investigated the effects of these OT models on the proteins related to ER stress (i.e., BiP, inositol-requiring enzyme 1, protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, eIF2alpha, ATF6beta, and glucose-regulated protein 94) and apoptosis (C/EBP-homologous protein, Caspase-3, 4, and 12, Bax, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2) in livers of C57BL/6 mice. Also, aerobic training can attenuate cardiac ER stress and improve exercise capacity. Therefore, we investigated whether the decrease in performance induced by our OT protocols is linked to ER stress and apoptosis in mouse hearts. The rodents were divided into six groups: naïve (N, sedentary mice), control (CT, sedentary mice submitted to the performance evaluations), trained (TR), OTR/down, OTR/up, and OTR groups. Rotarod, incremental load, exhaustive, and grip force tests were used to evaluate performance. After the grip force test, the livers and cardiac muscles (i.e., left ventricle) were removed and used for immunoblotting. All of the OT protocols led to similar responses in the performance parameters and displayed significantly lower hepatic ATF6beta values compared to the N group. The OTR/down group exhibited lower liver cleaved caspase-3 values compared to the CT group. However, the other proteins related to ER stress and apoptosis were not modulated. Also, the cardiac proteins related to ER stress and apoptosis were not modulated in the experimental groups. In conclusion, the OT protocols decreased the levels of hepatic ATF6beta, and the OTR/down group decreased the levels of hepatic cleaved caspase-3. Also, the decrease in performance induced by our OT models is not associated with ER stress and apoptosis in mice hearts.

Gradual downhill running improves age-related skeletal muscle and bone weakness: implication of autophagy and bone morphogenetic proteins

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? Exercise training by running has an effect on age-related muscle and bone wasting that improves physical activity and quality of life in the elderly. However, the effect of downhill running on age-related muscle and bone wasting, and its mechanisms, are unclear. What is the main finding and its importance? Gradual downhill running can improve skeletal muscle growth and bone formation by enhancing autophagy and bone morphogenetic protein signalling in aged rats. Therefore, downhill running exercise might be a practical intervention to improve skeletal muscle and bone protection in the elderly. Recent evidence suggests that autophagy and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling pathway regulate skeletal muscle growth and bone formation in aged rats. However, the effect of downhill running on muscle growth and bone formation is not well understood. Thus, we investigated the effect of downhill and uphill running on age-related muscle and bone weakness. Young and late middle-aged rats were randomly assigned to control groups (young, YC; and late middle-aged, LMC) and two types of running training groups (late middle-aged downhill, LMD; and late middle-aged uphill, LMU). Training was progressively carried out on a treadmill at a speed of 21 m min^-1 with a slope of +10 deg for uphill training versus 16 m min^-1 with a slope of -16 deg for downhill training, both for 60 min day^-1 , 5 days week^-1 for 8 weeks. Downhill and uphill training increased autophagy-related protein 5, microtubule-associated protein light chain, Beclin-1 and p62 proteins in aged rats. In addition, superoxide dismutase, haem oxygenase-1 and the BMP signalling pathway were elevated. Phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin and myogenic differentiation were increased significantly in the LMD and LMU groups. Consequently, in the femur, BMP-2, BMP-7 and autophagy molecules were highly expressed in the LMD and LMU groups. These results suggest that both downhill and uphill training appear to have a positive effect on expression of autophagy molecules and BMPs. In particular, these physiological adaptations from gradual downhill exercise have an effect on bone morphological changes and muscle quality similar to gradual uphill training interventions in ageing.

Excessive training impairs the insulin signal transduction in mice skeletal muscles

The main aim of this investigation was to verify the effects of overtraining (OT) on the insulin and inflammatory signaling pathways in mice skeletal muscles. Rodents were divided into control (CT), overtrained by downhill running (OTR/down), overtrained by uphill running (OTR/up), and overtrained by running without inclination (OTR) groups. Rotarod, incremental load, exhaustive, and grip force tests were used to evaluate performance. Thirty-six hours after the grip force test, the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus were extracted for subsequent protein analyses. The three OT protocols led to similar responses of all performance evaluation tests. The phosphorylation of insulin receptor beta (pIRβ; Tyr), protein kinase B (pAkt; Ser473), and the protein levels of plasma membrane glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) were lower in the EDL and soleus after the OTR/down protocol and in the soleus after the OTR/up and OTR protocols. While the pIRβ was lower after the OTR/up and OTR protocols, the pAkt was higher after the OTR/up in the EDL. The phosphorylation of IκB kinase alpha and beta (pIKKα/β; Ser180/181), stress-activated protein kinases/Jun amino-terminal kinases (pSAPK-JNK; Thr183/Tyr185), factor nuclear kappa B (pNFκB p65; Ser536), and insulin receptor substrate 1 (pIRS1; Ser307) were higher after the OTR/down protocol, but were not altered after the two other OT protocols. In summary, these data suggest that OT may lead to skeletal muscle insulin signaling pathway impairment, regardless of the predominance of eccentric contractions, although the insulin signal pathway impairment induced in OTR/up and OTR appeared to be muscle fiber-type specific.