Muscle-Related Polymorphisms (MSTN rs1805086 and ACTN3 rs1815739) Are Not Associated with Exceptional Longevity in Japanese Centenarians

Association of Myostatin Gene Polymorphisms with Strength and Muscle Mass in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the MSTN rs1805086 Mutation

Polymorphism (rs1805086), c.458A>G, p.Lys(K)153Arg(R), (K153R) of the myostatin gene (MSTN) has been associated with a skeletal muscle phenotype (hypertrophic response in muscles due to strength training). However, there are not enough reliable data to demonstrate whether MSTN rs1805086 K and R allelic variants are valid genetic factors that can affect the strength phenotype of athletes' skeletal muscles. The aim is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association of MSTN rs1805086 polymorphism with the strength phenotype of athletes. This study analyzed 71 research articles on MSTN and performed a meta-analysis of MSTN K153R rs1805086 polymorphism in strength-oriented athletes and a control (non-athletes) group. It was found that athletes in the strength-oriented athlete group had a higher frequency of the R minor variant than that in the control group (OR = 2.02, P = 0.05). Thus, the obtained results convincingly demonstrate that there is an association between the studied polymorphism and strength phenotype of athletes; therefore, further studies on this association are scientifically warranted.

Recent advances in antiviral effects of probiotics: potential mechanism study in prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), progressively extended worldwide countries on an epidemic scale. Along with all the drug treatments suggested to date, currently, there are no approved management protocols and treatment regimens for SARS-CoV-2. The unavailability of optimal medication and effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 indicates the requirement for alternative therapies. Probiotics are living organisms that deliberate beneficial effects on the host when used sufficiently and in adequate amounts, and fermented food is their rich source. Probiotics affect viruses by antiviral mechanisms and reduce diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. At this point, we comprehensively evaluated the antiviral effects of probiotics and their mechanism with a particular focus on SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we suggested the conceptual and potential mechanisms of probiotics by which they could exhibit antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2, according to the previous evidence concerning the mechanism of antiviral effects of probiotics. This study reviewed recent studies that speculate about the role of probiotics in the prevention of the SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storm through the mechanisms such as induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10), downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6), inhibition of JAK signaling pathway, and act as HDAC inhibitor. Also, the recent clinical trials and their outcome have been reviewed.

Variants in the Myostatin Gene and Physical Performance Phenotype of Elite Athletes

The MSTN gene is a negative regulator of muscle growth that is attracting attention as a candidate gene for physical performance traits. We hypothesised that variants of MSTN might be associated with the status of elite athlete. We therefore sought to study the potential role of MSTN in the physical performance of athletes by analysing the whole coding sequence of the MSTN gene in a cohort of Lithuanian elite athletes (n = 103) and non-athletes (n = 127). Consequently, two genetic variants were identified: the deletion of one of three adenines in the first intron (c.373+90delA, rs11333758) and a non-synonymous variant in the second exon (c.458A>G, p.Lys(K)153Arg(R), rs1805086). Among all samples, the MSTN rs1805086 Lys(K) allele was the most common form in both groups. Homozygous genotype for the less common Arg(R) allele was identified in only one elite canoe rower, and we could find no direct association between rs1805086 and successful results in elite athletes. Surprisingly, the intronic variant (rs11333758) was abundant among all samples. The main finding was that endurance-oriented athletes had 2.1 greater odds of being MSTN deletion genotype than non-athletes (13.6% vs. 0.8%). The present study confirms the association of the polymorphism rs11333758 with endurance performance status in Lithuanian elite athletes.

The myostatin rs1805086 variant is associated with obesity in Mexican adults, independently of metabolic risk factors

AIM

To determine whether rs1805086 is associated with obesity and metabolic disturbances in a Mexican adult population.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We genotyped rs1805086 in 1024 men and women aged 18-58 years. Anthropometric and body fat data were used to estimate obesity. Biochemical parameters were measured and DNA was used to determine the rs1805086 genotype.

RESULTS

rs1805086 heterozygous AG frequency was 5.4%, and the homozygous for the risk allele GG was absent. Heterozygous had higher levels of body mass index (BMI) and waist/height ratio (WHtR). Heterozygous subjects showed a greater total and central obesity compared to the homozygous for ancestral allele AA (OR BMI > 30 kg/m² ₌ 2.35, 95% CI 1.29-4.29; OR WHtR > 0.5 = 2.03, 95% CI 1.19-3.45; OR elevated fat mass (EFM) %= 1.72, 95% CI 1.01-2.92; OR fat mass index (FMI)>p85 = 1.96, 95% CI 1.05-3.68). rs1805086 was not associated with metabolic alterations.

CONCLUSION

Heterozygosity for rs1805086 showed a predisposition to having elevated overall and central obesity parameters. This association with adiposity seems to be independent of metabolic risk.

Association of the ACTN3 R577X (rs1815739) polymorphism with elite power sports: A meta-analysis

Objective

The special status accorded to elite athletes stems from their uncommon genetic potential to excel in world-class power sports (PS). Genetic polymorphisms have been reported to influence elite PS status. Reports of associations between the α-actinin-3 gene (ACTN3) R577X polymorphism and PS have been inconsistent. In light of new published studies, we perform a meta-analysis to further explore the roles of this polymorphism in PS performance among elite athletes.

Methods

Multi-database literature search yielded 44 studies from 38 articles. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used in estimating associations (significance threshold was set at P^a ≤ 0.05) using the allele-genotype model (R and X alleles, RX genotype). Outlier analysis was used to examine its impact on association and heterogeneity outcomes. Subgroup analysis was race (Western and Asian) and gender (male/female)-based. Interaction tests were applied to differential outcomes between the subgroups, P-values of which were Bonferroni corrected (P_{interaction BC}). Tests for sensitivity and publication bias were performed.

Results

Significant overall R allele effects (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.07–1.37, P^a = 0.002) were confirmed in the Western subgroup (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01–1.22, P^a = 0.02) and with outlier treatment (ORs 1.12–1.20, 95% CIs 1.02–1.30, P^a < 10⁻⁵–0.01). This treatment resulted in acquired significance of the RX effect in Asian athletes (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.25–2.92, P^a = 0.003). Gender analysis dichotomized the RX genotype and R allele effects as significantly higher in male (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02–1.28, P^a = 0.02) and female (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.21–2.06, P^a = 0.0009) athletes, respectively, when compared with controls. Significant R female association was improved with a test of interaction (P_{interaction BC} = 0.03). The overall, Asian and female outcomes were robust. The R allele results were more robust than the RX genotype outcomes. No evidence of publication bias was found.

Conclusions

In this meta-analysis, we present clear associations between the R allele/RX genotype in the ACTN3 polymorphism and elite power athlete status. Significant effects of the R allele (overall analysis, Western and female subgroups) and RX genotype (Asians and males) were for the most part, results of outlier treatment. Interaction analysis improved the female outcome. These robust findings were free of publication bias.

ACTN3, Morbidity, and Healthy Aging

As human longevity increases, recent research has focused on the maintenance of optimal health during old age. One such area of focus is that of muscle function in the elderly, with a loss of muscle mass increasing the risk of negative outcomes such as sarcopenia and a decrease in bone mineral density. In this mini-review, we focus on the impact of a single nucleotide polymorphism in ACTN3, shown to impact muscle phenotype in elite athletes, on loss of muscle function, maintenance of bone mineral density, and metabolic disorder risk in an elderly population. From the surveyed research, this polymorphism has a clear and demonstrable impact on muscle phenotype and bone mineral density in this population, and acts as a potential modulator for metabolic disorders. As such, knowledge of an individual's ACTN3 genotype may better inform the management of risk factors in the elderly, as well as driving innovations in exercise program design. Subsequently, such insights may contribute to the prolonged maintenance of health and function long into old age.

Epistasis, physical capacity-related genes and exceptional longevity: FNDC5 gene interactions with candidate genes FOXOA3 and APOE

BACKGROUND

Forkhead box O3A (FOXOA3) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) are arguably the strongest gene candidates to influence human exceptional longevity (EL, i.e., being a centenarian), but inconsistency exists among cohorts. Epistasis, defined as the effect of one locus being dependent on the presence of 'modifier genes', may contribute to explain the missing heritability of complex phenotypes such as EL. We assessed the potential association of epistasis among candidate polymorphisms related to physical capacity, as well as antioxidant defense and cardiometabolic traits, and EL in the Japanese population. A total of 1565 individuals were studied, subdivided into 822 middle-aged controls and 743 centenarians.

RESULTS

We found a FOXOA3 rs2802292 T-allele-dependent association of fibronectin type III domain-containing 5 (FDNC5) rs16835198 with EL: the frequency of carriers of the FOXOA3 rs2802292 T-allele among individuals with the rs16835198 GG genotype was significantly higher in cases than in controls (P < 0.05). On the other hand, among non-carriers of the APOE 'risk' ε4-allele, the frequency of the FDNC5 rs16835198 G-allele was higher in cases than in controls (48.4% vs. 43.6%, P < 0.05). Among carriers of the 'non-risk' APOE ε2-allele, the frequency of the rs16835198 G-allele was higher in cases than in controls (49% vs. 37.3%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The association of FDNC5 rs16835198 with EL seems to depend on the presence of the FOXOA3 rs2802292 T-allele and we report a novel association between FNDC5 rs16835198 stratified by the presence of the APOE ε2/ε4-allele and EL. More research on 'gene*gene' and 'gene*environment' effects is needed in the field of EL.