Bisphosphonates attenuate age-related muscle decline in Caenorhabditis elegans

BACKGROUND

Age-related muscle decline (sarcopenia) associates with numerous health risk factors and poor quality of life. Drugs that counter sarcopenia without harmful side effects are lacking, and repurposing existing pharmaceuticals could expedite realistic clinical options. Recent studies suggest bisphosphonates promote muscle health; however, the efficacy of bisphosphonates as an anti-sarcopenic therapy is currently unclear.

METHODS

Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a sarcopenia model, we treated animals with 100 nM, 1, 10, 100 and 500 μM zoledronic acid (ZA) and assessed lifespan and healthspan (movement rates) using a microfluidic chip device. The effects of ZA on sarcopenia were examined using GFP-tagged myofibres or mitochondria at days 0, 4 and 6 post-adulthood. Mechanisms of ZA-mediated healthspan extension were determined using combined ZA and targeted RNAi gene knockdown across the life-course.

RESULTS

We found 100 nM and 1 μM ZA increased lifespan (P < 0.001) and healthspan [954 ± 53 (100 nM) and 963 ± 48 (1 μM) vs. 834 ± 59% (untreated) population activity AUC, P < 0.05]. 10 μM ZA shortened lifespan (P < 0.0001) but not healthspan (758.9 ± 37 vs. 834 ± 59, P > 0.05), whereas 100 and 500 μM ZA were larval lethal. ZA (1 μM) significantly improved myofibrillar structure on days 4 and 6 post-adulthood (83 and 71% well-organized myofibres, respectively, vs. 56 and 34% controls, P < 0.0001) and increased well-networked mitochondria at day 6 (47 vs. 16% in controls, P < 0.01). Genes required for ZA-mediated healthspan extension included fdps-1/FDPS-1 (278 ± 9 vs. 894 ± 17% population activity AUC in knockdown + 1 μM ZA vs. untreated controls, respectively, P < 0.0001), daf-16/FOXO (680 ± 16 vs. 894 ± 17%, P < 0.01) and agxt-2/BAIBA (531 ± 23 vs. 552 ± 8%, P > 0.05). Life/healthspan was extended through knockdown of igdb-1/FNDC5 (635 ± 10 vs. 523 ± 10% population activity AUC in gene knockdown vs. untreated controls, P < 0.01) and sir-2.3/SIRT-4 (586 ± 10 vs. 523 ± 10%, P < 0.05), with no synergistic improvements in ZA co-treatment vs. knockdown alone [651 ± 12 vs. 635 ± 10% (igdb-1/FNDC5) and 583 ± 9 vs. 586 ± 10% (sir-2.3/SIRT-4), both P > 0.05]. Conversely, let-756/FGF21 and sir-2.2/SIRT-4 were dispensable for ZA-induced healthspan [630 ± 6 vs. 523 ± 10% population activity AUC in knockdown + 1 μM ZA vs. untreated controls, P < 0.01 (let-756/FGF21) and 568 ± 9 vs. 523 ± 10%, P < 0.05 (sir-2.2/SIRT-4)].

CONCLUSIONS

Despite lacking an endoskeleton, ZA delays Caenorhabditis elegans sarcopenia, which translates to improved neuromuscular function across the life course. Bisphosphonates might, therefore, be an immediately exploitable anti-sarcopenia therapy.

Exploring the variability of sarcopenia prevalence in a research population using different disease definitions

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of muscle mass and function with age. A number of different sarcopenia definitions have been proposed and utilised in research. This study aimed to investigate how the prevalence of sarcopenia in a research cohort of older adults is influenced by the use of independent aspects of these different definitions.

METHODS

Data from 255 research participants were compiled. Defining criteria by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, the International Working Group on Sarcopenia (IWGS), and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health were applied.

RESULTS

Prevalence of sarcopenia using muscle mass ranged from 4 to 22%. Gait speed and handgrip strength criteria identified 4-34% and 4-16% of participants as sarcopenic, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of sarcopenia differs substantially depending on the criteria used. Work is required to address the impact of this for sarcopenia research to be usefully translated to inform on clinical practice.

The impact of genetic variation within the vitamin D pathway upon skeletal muscle function: A systematic review

Studies in vitro have demonstrated a key molecular role for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D) in skeletal muscle function, with vitamin D-deficiency (low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25D) being associated with muscle pain and weakness. Despite this, an understanding of the overall role of vitamin D in muscle health (particularly the impact of vitamin D-related genetic variants) has yet to be fully resolved, relative to more well-studied targets such as the skeleton. Thus, we aimed to review existing studies that have investigated relationships between skeletal muscle function and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within vitamin D-related genes. A systematic review of papers published between January 2000 and June 2022 on PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science pertaining to association between functionally relevant vitamin D receptor genetic variants and variants within genes of the vitamin D pathway and skeletal muscle function/outcomes was performed. 21 articles were included in the review for final analysis, of which 20 only studied genetic variation of the VDR gene. Of the included articles, 81 % solely included participants aged ≥ 50 years and of the 9 studies that did not only include White individuals, only 2 included Black participants. Within the vitamin D system, the VDR gene is the primary gene of which associations between polymorphisms and muscle function have been investigated. VDR polymorphisms have been significantly associated with muscle phenotypes in two or more studies. Of note A1012G was significantly associated with higher handgrip strength, but the results for other SNPs were notably variable between studies. While the lack of definitive evidence and study heterogeneity makes it difficult to draw conclusions, the findings of this review highlight a need for improvements with regards to the use of more diverse study populations, i.e., inclusion of Black individuals and other people of colour, and expanding research scope beyond the VDR gene.

The time course of disuse muscle atrophy of the lower limb in health and disease

Short, intermittent episodes of disuse muscle atrophy (DMA) may have negative impact on age related muscle loss. There is evidence of variability in rate of DMA between muscles and over the duration of immobilization. As yet, this is poorly characterized. This review aims to establish and compare the time-course of DMA in immobilized human lower limb muscles in both healthy and critically ill individuals, exploring evidence for an acute phase of DMA and differential rates of atrophy between and muscle groups. MEDLINE, Embase, CINHAL and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception to April 2021 for any study of human lower limb immobilization reporting muscle volume, cross-sectional area (CSA), architecture or lean leg mass over multiple post-immobilization timepoints. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I. Where possible meta-analysis was performed using a DerSimonian and Laird random effects model with effect sizes reported as mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) at various time-points and a narrative review when meta-analysis was not possible. Twenty-nine studies were included, 12 in healthy volunteers (total n = 140), 18 in patients on an Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) (total n = 516) and 3 in patients with ankle fracture (total n = 39). The majority of included studies are at moderate risk of bias. Rate of quadriceps atrophy over the first 14 days was significantly greater in the ITU patients (MD -1.01 95% CI -1.32, -0.69), than healthy cohorts (MD -0.12 95% CI -0.49, 0.24) (P < 0.001). Rates of atrophy appeared to vary between muscle groups (greatest in triceps surae (-11.2% day 28), followed by quadriceps (-9.2% day 28), then hamstrings (-6.5% day 28), then foot dorsiflexors (-3.2% day 28)). Rates of atrophy appear to decrease over time in healthy quadriceps (-6.5% day 14 vs. -9.1% day 28) and triceps surae (-7.8% day 14 vs. -11.2% day 28), and ITU quadriceps (-13.2% day 7 vs. -28.2% day 14). There appears to be variability in the rate of DMA between muscle groups, and more rapid atrophy during the earliest period of immobilization, indicating different mechanisms being dominant at different timepoints. Rates of atrophy are greater amongst critically unwell patients. Overall evidence is limited, and existing data has wide variability in the measures reported. Further work is required to fully characterize the time course of DMA in both health and disease.

Motor unit dysregulation following 15 days of unilateral lower limb immobilisation

Disuse atrophy, caused by situations of unloading such as limb immobilisation, causes a rapid yet diverging reduction in skeletal muscle function when compared to muscle mass. While mechanistic insight into the loss of mass is well studied, deterioration of muscle function with a focus towards the neural input to muscle remains underexplored. This study aimed to determine the role of motor unit adaptation in disuse-induced neuromuscular deficits. Ten young, healthy male volunteers underwent 15 days of unilateral lower limb immobilisation with intramuscular electromyography (iEMG) bilaterally recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL) during knee extensor contractions normalised to maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), pre and post disuse. Muscle cross-sectional area was determined by ultrasound. Individual MUs were sampled and analysed for changes in motor unit (MU) discharge and MU potential (MUP) characteristics. VL CSA was reduced by approximately 15% which was exceeded by a two-fold decrease of 31% in muscle strength in the immobilised limb, with no change in either parameter in the non-immobilised limb. Parameters of MUP size were reduced by 11% to 24% with immobilisation, while neuromuscular junction (NMJ) transmission instability remained unchanged, and MU firing rate decreased by 8% to 11% at several contraction levels. All adaptations were observed in the immobilised limb only. These findings highlight impaired neural input following immobilisation reflected by suppressed MU firing rate which may underpin the disproportionate reductions of strength relative to muscle size. KEY POINTS: Muscle mass and function decline rapidly in situations of disuse such as bed rest and limb immobilisation. The reduction in muscle function commonly exceeds that of muscle mass, which may be associated with the dysregulation of neural input to muscle. We have used intramuscular electromyography to sample individual motor unit and near fibre potentials from the vastus lateralis following 15 days of unilateral limb immobilisation. Following disuse, the disproportionate loss of muscle strength when compared to size coincided with suppressed motor unit firing rate. These motor unit adaptations were observed at multiple contraction levels and in the immobilised limb only. Our findings demonstrate neural dysregulation as a key component of functional loss following muscle disuse in humans.

Declines in muscle protein synthesis account for short-term muscle disuse atrophy in humans in the absence of increased muscle protein breakdown

BACKGROUND

We determined the short-term (i.e. 4 days) impacts of disuse atrophy in relation to muscle protein turnover [acute fasted-fed muscle protein synthesis (MPS)/muscle protein breakdown (MPB) and integrated MPS/estimated MPB].

METHODS

Healthy men (N = 9, 22 ± 2 years, body mass index 24 ± 3 kg m-2 ) underwent 4 day unilateral leg immobilization. Vastus lateralis (VL) muscle thickness (MT) and extensor strength and thigh lean mass (TLM) were measured. Bilateral VL muscle biopsies were collected on Day 4 at t = -120, 0, 90, and 180 min to determine integrated MPS, estimated MPB, acute fasted-fed MPS (l-[ring-13 C6 ]-phe), and acute fasted tracer decay rate representative of MPB (l-[15 N]-phe and l-[2 H8 ]-phe). Protein turnover cell signalling was measured by immunoblotting.

RESULTS

Immobilization decreased TLM [pre: 7477 ± 1196 g, post: 7352 ± 1209 g (P < 0.01)], MT [pre: 2.67 ± 0.50 cm, post: 2.55 ± 0.51 cm (P < 0.05)], and strength [pre: 260 ± 43 N m, post: 229 ± 37 N m (P < 0.05)] with no change in control legs. Integrated MPS decreased in immob vs. control legs [control: 1.55 ± 0.21% day-1 , immob: 1.29 ± 0.17% day-1 (P < 0.01)], while tracer decay rate (i.e. MPB) (control: 0.02 ± 0.006, immob: 0.015 ± 0.015) and fractional breakdown rate (FBR) remained unchanged [control: 1.44 ± 0.51% day-1 , immob: 1.73 ± 0.35% day-1 (P = 0.21)]. Changes in MT correlated with those in MPS but not FBR. MPS increased in the control leg following feeding [fasted: 0.043 ± 0.012% h-1 , fed: 0.065 ± 0.017% h-1 (P < 0.05)] but not in immob [fasted: 0.034 ± 0.014% h-1 , fed: 0.049 ± 0.023% h-1 (P = 0.09)]. There were no changes in markers of MPB with immob (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Human skeletal muscle disuse atrophy is driven by declines in MPS, not increases in MPB. Pro-anabolic therapies to mitigate disuse atrophy would likely be more effective than therapies aimed at attenuating protein degradation.

Equipment-free, unsupervised high intensity interval training elicits significant improvements in the physiological resilience of older adults

Background

Reduced cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an independent risk factor for dependency, cognitive impairment and premature mortality. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a proven time-efficient stimulus for improving both CRF and other facets of cardiometabolic health also known to decline with advancing age. However, the efficacy of equipment-free, unsupervised HIIT to improve the physiological resilience of older adults is not known.

Methods

Thirty independent, community-dwelling older adults (71(SD: 5) years) were randomised to 4 weeks (12 sessions) equipment-free, supervised (in the laboratory (L-HIIT)) or unsupervised (at home (H-HIIT)) HIIT, or a no-intervention control (CON). HIIT involved 5, 1-minute intervals of a bodyweight exercise each interspersed with 90-seconds recovery. CRF, exercise tolerance, blood pressure (BP), body composition, muscle architecture, circulating lipids and glucose tolerance were assessed at baseline and after the intervention period.

Results

When compared to the control group, both HIIT protocols improved the primary outcome of CRF ((via anaerobic threshold) mean difference, L-HIIT: +2.27, H-HIIT: +2.29, both p < 0.01) in addition to exercise tolerance, systolic BP, total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol and m. vastus lateralis pennation angle, to the same extent. There was no improvement in these parameters in CON. There was no change in diastolic BP, glucose tolerance, whole-body composition or HDL cholesterol in any of the groups.

Conclusions

This is the first study to show that short-term, time-efficient, equipment-free, HIIT is able to elicit improvements in the CRF of older adults irrespective of supervision status. Unsupervised HIIT may offer a novel approach to improve the physiological resilience of older adults, combating age-associated physiological decline, the rise of inactivity and the additional challenges currently posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trial registration

This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov and coded: NCT03473990.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-03208-y.

The Vitamin D/Vitamin D receptor (VDR) axis in muscle atrophy and sarcopenia

Muscle atrophy and sarcopenia (the term given to the age-related decline in muscle mass and function), influence an individuals risk of falls, frailty, functional decline, and, ultimately, impaired quality of life. Vitamin D deficiency (low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D₃)) has been reported to impair muscle strength and increase risk of sarcopenia. The mechanisms that underpin the link between low 25(OH)D₃ and sarcopenia are yet to be fully understood but several lines of evidence have highlighted the importance of both genomic and non-genomic effects of active vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)₂D₃)) and its nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR), in skeletal muscle functioning. Studies in vitro have demonstrated a key role for the vitamin D/VDR axis in regulating biological processes central to sarcopenic muscle atrophy, such as proteolysis, mitochondrial function, cellular senescence, and adiposity. The aim of this review is to provide a mechanistic overview of the proposed mechanisms for the vitamin D/VDR axis in sarcopenic muscle atrophy.

Mammalian and Invertebrate Models as Complementary Tools for Gaining Mechanistic Insight on Muscle Responses to Spaceflight

Bioinformatics approaches have proven useful in understanding biological responses to spaceflight. Spaceflight experiments remain resource intensive and rare. One outstanding issue is how to maximize scientific output from a limited number of omics datasets from traditional animal models including nematodes, fruitfly, and rodents. The utility of omics data from invertebrate models in anticipating mammalian responses to spaceflight has not been fully explored. Hence, we performed comparative analyses of transcriptomes of soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) in mice that underwent 37 days of spaceflight. Results indicate shared stress responses and altered circadian rhythm. EDL showed more robust growth signals and Pde2a downregulation, possibly underlying its resistance to atrophy versus soleus. Spaceflight and hindlimb unloading mice shared differential regulation of proliferation, circadian, and neuronal signaling. Shared gene regulation in muscles of humans on bedrest and space flown rodents suggest targets for mitigating muscle atrophy in space and on Earth. Spaceflight responses of C. elegans were more similar to EDL. Discrete life stages of D. melanogaster have distinct utility in anticipating EDL and soleus responses. In summary, spaceflight leads to shared and discrete molecular responses between muscle types and invertebrate models may augment mechanistic knowledge gained from rodent spaceflight and ground-based studies.

Transcriptomic links to muscle mass loss and declines in cumulative muscle protein synthesis during short-term disuse in healthy younger humans

Muscle disuse leads to a rapid decline in muscle mass, with reduced muscle protein synthesis (MPS) considered the primary physiological mechanism. Here, we employed a systems biology approach to uncover molecular networks and key molecular candidates that quantitatively link to the degree of muscle atrophy and/or extent of decline in MPS during short-term disuse in humans. After consuming a bolus dose of deuterium oxide (D₂ O; 3 mL.kg^-1 ), eight healthy males (22 ± 2 years) underwent 4 days of unilateral lower-limb immobilization. Bilateral muscle biopsies were obtained post-intervention for RNA sequencing and D₂ O-derived measurement of MPS, with thigh lean mass quantified using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Application of weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified 15 distinct gene clusters ("modules") with an expression profile regulated by disuse and/or quantitatively connected to disuse-induced muscle mass or MPS changes. Module scans for candidate targets established an experimentally tractable set of candidate regulatory molecules (242 hub genes, 31 transcriptional regulators) associated with disuse-induced maladaptation, many themselves potently tied to disuse-induced reductions in muscle mass and/or MPS and, therefore, strong physiologically relevant candidates. Notably, we implicate a putative role for muscle protein breakdown-related molecular networks in impairing MPS during short-term disuse, and further establish DEPTOR (a potent mTOR inhibitor) as a critical mechanistic candidate of disuse driven MPS suppression in humans. Overall, these findings offer a strong benchmark for accelerating mechanistic understanding of short-term muscle disuse atrophy that may help expedite development of therapeutic interventions.

NASA GeneLab RNA-seq consensus pipeline: standardized processing of short-read RNA-seq data

With the development of transcriptomic technologies, we are able to quantify precise changes in gene expression profiles from astronauts and other organisms exposed to spaceflight. Members of NASA GeneLab and GeneLab-associated analysis working groups (AWGs) have developed a consensus pipeline for analyzing short-read RNA-sequencing data from spaceflight-associated experiments. The pipeline includes quality control, read trimming, mapping, and gene quantification steps, culminating in the detection of differentially expressed genes. This data analysis pipeline and the results of its execution using data submitted to GeneLab are now all publicly available through the GeneLab database. We present here the full details and rationale for the construction of this pipeline in order to promote transparency, reproducibility, and reusability of pipeline data; to provide a template for data processing of future spaceflight-relevant datasets; and to encourage cross-analysis of data from other databases with the data available in GeneLab.

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Analysis of omics data from different spaceflight studies presents unique challenges

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A standardized pipeline for RNA-seq analysis eliminates data processing variation

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The GeneLab RNA-seq pipeline includes QC, trimming, mapping, quantification, and DGE

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Space-relevant data processed with this pipeline are available at genelab.nasa.gov

Ammonium chloride administration prior to exercise has muscle-specific effects on mitochondrial and myofibrillar protein synthesis in rats

AIM

Exercise is able to increase both muscle protein synthesis and mitochondrial biogenesis. However, acidosis, which can occur in pathological states as well as during high-intensity exercise, can decrease mitochondrial function, whilst its impact on muscle protein synthesis is disputed. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of a mild physiological decrease in pH, by administration of ammonium chloride, on myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein synthesis, as well as associated molecular signaling events.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were given either a placebo or ammonium chloride prior to a short interval training session. Rats were killed before exercise, immediately after exercise, or 3 h after exercise.

RESULTS

Myofibrillar (p = 0.036) fractional protein synthesis rates was increased immediately after exercise in the soleus muscle of the placebo group, but this effect was absent in the ammonium chloride group. However, in the gastrocnemius muscle NH4 Cl increased myofibrillar (p = 0.044) and mitochondrial protein synthesis (0 h after exercise p = 0.01; 3 h after exercise p = 0.003). This was accompanied by some small differences in protein phosphorylation and mRNA expression.

CONCLUSION

This study found ammonium chloride administration immediately prior to a single session of exercise in rats had differing effects on mitochondrial and myofibrillar protein synthesis rates in soleus (type I) and gastrocnemius (type II) muscle in rats.

The mechanisms of skeletal muscle atrophy in response to transient knockdown of the vitamin D receptor in vivo

KEY POINTS

Reduced vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression prompts skeletal muscle atrophy. Atrophy occurs through catabolic processes, namely the induction of autophagy, while anabolism remains unchanged. In response to VDR-knockdown mitochondrial function and related gene-set expression is impaired. In vitro VDR knockdown induces myogenic dysregulation occurring through impaired differentiation. These results highlight the autonomous role the VDR has within skeletal muscle mass regulation.

ABSTRACT

Vitamin D deficiency is estimated to affect ∼40% of the world's population and has been associated with impaired muscle maintenance. Vitamin D exerts its actions through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), the expression of which was recently confirmed in skeletal muscle, and its down-regulation is linked to reduced muscle mass and functional decline. To identify potential mechanisms underlying muscle atrophy, we studied the impact of VDR knockdown (KD) on mature skeletal muscle in vivo, and myogenic regulation in vitro in C2C12 cells. Male Wistar rats underwent in vivo electrotransfer (IVE) to knock down the VDR in hind-limb tibialis anterior (TA) muscle for 10 days. Comprehensive metabolic and physiological analysis was undertaken to define the influence loss of the VDR on muscle fibre composition, protein synthesis, anabolic and catabolic signalling, mitochondrial phenotype and gene expression. Finally, in vitro lentiviral transfection was used to induce sustained VDR-KD in C2C12 cells to analyse myogenic regulation. Muscle VDR-KD elicited atrophy through a reduction in total protein content, resulting in lower myofibre area. Activation of autophagic processes was observed, with no effect upon muscle protein synthesis or anabolic signalling. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing analysis identified systematic down-regulation of multiple mitochondrial respiration-related protein and genesets. Finally, in vitro VDR-knockdown impaired myogenesis (cell cycling, differentiation and myotube formation). Together, these data indicate a fundamental regulatory role of the VDR in the regulation of myogenesis and muscle mass, whereby it acts to maintain muscle mitochondrial function and limit autophagy.

Atrophy Resistant vs. Atrophy Susceptible Skeletal Muscles: "aRaS" as a Novel Experimental Paradigm to Study the Mechanisms of Human Disuse Atrophy

OBJECTIVE

Disuse atrophy (DA) describes inactivity-induced skeletal muscle loss, through incompletely defined mechanisms. An intriguing observation is that individual muscles exhibit differing degrees of atrophy, despite exhibiting similar anatomical function/locations. We aimed to develop an innovative experimental paradigm to investigate Atrophy Resistant tibialis anterior (TA) and Atrophy Susceptible medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles (aRaS) with a future view of uncovering central mechanisms.

METHOD

Seven healthy young men (22 ± 1 year) underwent 15 days unilateral leg immobilisation (ULI). Participants had a single leg immobilised using a knee brace and air-boot to fix the leg (75° knee flexion) and ankle in place. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), MRI and ultrasound scans of the lower leg were taken before and after the immobilisation period to determine changes in muscle mass. Techniques were developed for conchotome and microneedle TA/MG muscle biopsies following immobilisation (both limbs), and preliminary fibre typing analyses was conducted.

RESULTS

TA/MG muscles displayed comparable fibre type distribution of predominantly type I fibres (TA 67 ± 7%, MG 63 ± 5%). Following 15 days immobilisation, MG muscle volume (-2.8 ± 1.4%, p < 0.05) and muscle thickness decreased (-12.9 ± 1.6%, p < 0.01), with a positive correlation between changes in muscle volume and thickness (R² = 0.31, p = 0.038). Importantly, both TA muscle volume and thickness remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION

The use of this unique "aRaS" paradigm provides an effective and convenient means by which to study the mechanistic basis of divergent DA susceptibility in humans, which may facilitate new mechanistic insights, and by extension, mitigation of skeletal muscle atrophy during human DA.

Influence of sex on the age-related adaptations of neuromuscular function and motor unit properties in elite masters athletes

KEY POINTS

Masters athletes maintain high levels of activity into older age and allow an examination of the effects of aging dissociated from the effects of increased sedentary behaviour. Evidence suggests masters athletes are more successful at motor unit remodelling, the reinnervation of denervated fibres acting to preserve muscle fibre number, but little data are available in females. Here we used intramuscular electromyography to demonstrate that motor units sampled from the tibialis anterior show indications of remodelling from middle into older age and which does not differ between males and females. The age-related trajectory of motor unit discharge characteristic differs according to sex, with female athletes progressing to a slower firing pattern that was not observed in males. Our findings indicate motor unit remodelling from middle to older age occurs to a similar extent in male and female athletes, with discharge rates progressively slowing in females only.

ABSTRACT

Motor unit (MU) remodelling acts to minimise loss of muscle fibres following denervation in older age, which may be more successful in masters athletes. Evidence suggests performance and neuromuscular function decline with age in this population, although the majority of studies have focused on males, with little available data on female athletes. Functional assessments of strength, balance and motor control were performed in 30 masters athletes (16 male) aged 44-83 years. Intramuscular needle electrodes were used to sample individual motor unit potentials (MUPs) and near-fibre MUPs in the tibialis anterior (TA) during isometric contractions at 25% maximum voluntary contraction, and used to determine discharge characteristics (firing rate, variability) and biomarkers of peripheral MU remodelling (MUP size, complexity, stability). Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models examined effects of age and sex. All aspects of neuromuscular function deteriorated with age (P < 0.05) with no age × sex interactions, although males were stronger (P < 0.001). Indicators of MU remodelling also progressively increased with age to a similar extent in both sexes (P < 0.05), whilst MU firing rate progressively decreased with age in females (p = 0.029), with a non-significant increase in males (p = 0.092). Masters athletes exhibit age-related declines in neuromuscular function that are largely equal across males and females. Notably, they also display features of MU remodelling with advancing age, probably acting to reduce muscle fibre loss. The age trajectory of MU firing rate assessed at a single contraction level differed between sexes, which may reflect a greater tendency for females to develop a slower muscle phenotype.

Overexpression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) induces skeletal muscle hypertrophy

OBJECTIVE

The Vitamin D receptor (VDR) has been positively associated with skeletal muscle mass, function and regeneration. Mechanistic studies have focused on the loss of the receptor, with in vivo whole-body knockout models demonstrating reduced myofibre size and function and impaired muscle development. To understand the mechanistic role upregulation of the VDR elicits in muscle mass/health, we studied the impact of VDR over-expression (OE) in vivo before exploring the importance of VDR expression upon muscle hypertrophy in humans.

METHODS

Wistar rats underwent in vivo electrotransfer (IVE) to overexpress the VDR in the Tibialis anterior (TA) muscle for 10 days, before comprehensive physiological and metabolic profiling to characterise the influence of VDR-OE on muscle protein synthesis (MPS), anabolic signalling and satellite cell activity. Stable isotope tracer (D2O) techniques were used to assess sub-fraction protein synthesis, alongside RNA-Seq analysis. Finally, human participants underwent 20 wks of resistance exercise training, with body composition and transcriptomic analysis.

RESULTS

Muscle VDR-OE yielded total protein and RNA accretion, manifesting in increased myofibre area, i.e., hypertrophy. The observed increases in MPS were associated with enhanced anabolic signalling, reflecting translational efficiency (e.g., mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR-signalling), with no effects upon protein breakdown markers being observed. Additionally, RNA-Seq illustrated marked extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, while satellite cell content, markers of proliferation and associated cell-cycled related gene-sets were upregulated. Finally, induction of VDR mRNA correlated with muscle hypertrophy in humans following long-term resistance exercise type training.

CONCLUSION

VDR-OE stimulates muscle hypertrophy ostensibly via heightened protein synthesis, translational efficiency, ribosomal expansion and upregulation of ECM remodelling-related gene-sets. Furthermore, VDR expression is a robust marker of the hypertrophic response to resistance exercise in humans. The VDR is a viable target of muscle maintenance through testable Vitamin D molecules, as active molecules and analogues.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 infusions overcome anabolic resistance to feeding in older human muscle

Background

Despite its known insulin‐independent effects, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) role in muscle protein turnover has not been explored under fed‐state conditions or in the context of older age, when declines in insulin sensitivity and protein anabolism, as well as losses of muscle mass and function, occur.

Methods

Eight older‐aged men (71 ± 1 year, mean ± SEM) were studied in a crossover trial. Baseline measures were taken over 3 hr, prior to a 3 hr postprandial insulin (~30 mIU ml⁻¹) and glucose (7–7.5 mM) clamp, alongside I.V. infusions of octreotide and Vamin 14 (±infusions of GLP‐1). Four muscle biopsies were taken, and muscle protein turnover was quantified via incorporation of ¹³C₆ phenylalanine and arteriovenous balance kinetics, using mass spectrometry. Leg macro‐ and microvascular flow was assessed via ultrasound and anabolic signalling by immunoblotting. GLP‐1 and insulin were measured by ELISA.

Results

GLP‐1 augmented muscle protein synthesis (MPS; fasted: 0.058 ± 0.004% hr⁻¹ vs. postprandial: 0.102 ± 0.005% hr⁻¹, p < 0.01), in comparison with non‐GLP‐1 trials. Muscle protein breakdown (MPB) was reduced throughout clamp period, while net protein balance across the leg became positive in both groups. Total femoral leg blood flow was unchanged by the clamp; however, muscle microvascular blood flow (MBF) was significantly elevated in both groups, and to a significantly greater extent in the GLP‐1 group (MBF: 5 ± 2 vs. 1.9 ± 1 fold change +GLP‐1 and −GLP‐1, respectively, p < 0.01). Activation of the Akt‐mTOR signalling was similar across both trials.

Conclusion

GLP‐1 infusion markedly enhanced postprandial microvascular perfusion and further stimulated muscle protein metabolism, primarily through increased MPS, during a postprandial insulin hyperaminoacidaemic clamp.

The Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis and Performance Recovery in Resistance-Trained Men

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of whey protein supplementation on myofibrillar protein synthesis (myoPS) and muscle recovery over a 7-d period of intensified resistance training (RT).

METHODS

In a double-blind randomised parallel group design, 16 resistance-trained men aged 18 to 35 years completed a 7-d RT protocol, consisting of three lower-body RT sessions on non-consecutive days. Participants consumed a controlled diet (146 kJ·kg^-1·d^-1, 1.7 g·kg^-1·d^-1 protein) with either a whey protein supplement or an isonitrogenous control (0.33 g·kg^-1·d^-1 protein). To measure myoPS, 400 ml of deuterium oxide (D₂O) (70 atom %) was ingested the day prior to starting the study and m. vastus lateralis biopsies were taken before and after RT-intervention. Myofibrillar fractional synthetic rate (myoFSR) was calculated via deuterium labelling of myofibrillar-bound alanine, measured by gas chromatography-pyrolysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-Pyr-IRMS). Muscle recovery parameters (i.e., countermovement jump height, isometric-squat force, muscle soreness and serum creatine kinase) were assessed daily.

RESULTS

MyoFSR PRE was 1.6 (0.2) %∙d^-1 (mean (SD)). Whey protein supplementation had no effect on myoFSR (p = 0.771) or any recovery parameter (p = 0.390-0.989).

CONCLUSIONS

Over an intense 7-d RT protocol, 0.33 g·kg^-1·d^-1 of supplemental whey protein does not enhance day-to-day measures of myoPS or postexercise recovery in resistance-trained men.

The vitamin D receptor regulates mitochondrial function in C2C12 myoblasts

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a reduction in skeletal muscle function and oxidative capacity; however, the mechanistic bases of these impairments are poorly understood. The biological actions of vitamin D are carried out via the binding of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1α,25(OH)₂D₃) to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Recent evidence has linked 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ to the regulation of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in vitro; however, little is known with regard to the role of the VDR in this process. To examine the regulatory role of the VDR in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, we used lentivirus-mediated shRNA silencing of the VDR in C2C12 myoblasts (VDR-KD) and examined mitochondrial respiration and protein content compared with an shRNA scrambled control. VDR protein content was reduced by ~95% in myoblasts and myotubes (P < 0.001). VDR-KD myoblasts displayed a 30%, 30%, and 36% reduction in basal, coupled, and maximal respiration, respectively (P < 0.05). This phenotype was maintained in VDR-KD myotubes, displaying a 34%, 33%, and 48% reduction in basal, coupled, and maximal respiration (P < 0.05). Furthermore, ATP production derived from oxidative phosphorylation (ATP_Ox) was reduced by 20%, suggesting intrinsic impairments within the mitochondria following VDR-KD. However, despite the observed functional decrements, mitochondrial protein content, as well as markers of mitochondrial fission were unchanged. In summary, we highlight a direct role for the VDR in regulating skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in vitro, providing a potential mechanism as to how vitamin D deficiency might impact upon skeletal muscle oxidative capacity.

The effect of oral essential amino acids on incretin hormone production in youth and ageing

BACKGROUND

The effect of substantive doses of essential amino acids (EAA) on incretin and insulin production, and the impact of age upon this effect, is ill-defined.

METHODS

A 15-g oral EAA drink was administered to young (N = 8; 26 ± 4.4 years) and older (N = 8; 69 ± 3.8 years) healthy volunteers. Another group of younger volunteers (N = 9; 21 ± 1.9 years) was given IV infusions to achieve equivalent plasma amino acids (AA) profiles. Plasma AA, insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) were quantified over 2 hours.

RESULTS

In younger recruits, EAA-induced rapid insulinaemia and aminoacidaemia with total amino acids(AA), EAA and branched chain amino acids (BCAA) matched between oral and IV groups. Insulin peaked at 39 ± 29 pmol L-1 at 30 minutes following oral feeding compared to 22 ± 9 pmol L-1 at 60 minutes following IV feeding (P: NS). EAA peaked at 3395 μmol L-1 at 45 minutes during IV infusion compared to 2892 μmol L-1 following oral intake (Feeding effect: P < 0.0001. Oral vs IV feeding: P: NS). There was an 11% greater increase in insulin levels in the 120 minutes duration of the study in response to oral EAA as opposed to IV EAA. GIP increased following oral EAA (452 pmol L-1 vs 232 pmol L-1, P < 0.05). Age did not impact insulin or incretins production.

CONCLUSION

Postprandial rises in EAA levels lead to rapid insulinaemia which is higher with oral compared with IV EAA, that is attributed more to GIP and unaffected by age. This finding supports EAA, on their own or as part of high-protein meal, as nutritive therapeutics in impaired glycaemia and ageing.

Differential Stimulation of Post-Exercise Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis in Humans Following Isonitrogenous, Isocaloric Pre-Exercise Feeding

The aim of this study was to test the effects of two disparate isonitrogenous, isocaloric pre-exercise feeds on deuterium-oxide (D2O) derived measures of myofibrillar protein synthesis (myoPS) in humans. Methods: In a double-blind parallel group design, 22 resistance-trained men aged 18 to 35 years ingested a meal (6 kcal·kg-1, 0.8 g·kg-1 carbohydrate, 0.2 g·kg-1 fat) with 0.33 g·kg-1 nonessential amino acids blend (NEAA) or whey protein (WHEY), prior to resistance exercise (70% 1RM back-squats, 10 reps per set to failure, 25% duty cycle). Biopsies of M. vastus lateralis were obtained pre-ingestion (PRE) and +3 h post-exercise (POST). The myofibrillar fractional synthetic rate (myoFSR) was calculated via deuterium labelling of myofibrillar-bound alanine, measured by gas chromatography-pyrolysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-Pyr-IRMS). Data are a mean percentage change (95% CI). Results: There was no discernable change in myoFSR following NEAA (10(-5, 25) %, p = 0.235), whereas an increase in myoFSR was observed after WHEY (28 (13, 43) %, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Measured by a D2O tracer technique, a disparate myoPS response was observed between NEAA and WHEY. Pre-exercise ingestion of whey protein increased post-exercise myoPS, whereas a NEAA blend did not, supporting the use of NEAA as a viable isonitrogenous negative control.

Acute reduction of lower-body contractile function following a microbiopsy of m. vastus lateralis

Twenty-three resistance trained men 18-35 years (23 [3] years, 1.8 [0.1] m, 81 [10] kg body mass, 2.3 [1.1] years resistance training experience; mean [SD]) performed repeated maximal voluntary isometric squats (ISQ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ) pre- and +30 minutes post a unilateral microbiopsy of m. vastus lateralis. ISQ and CMJ were simultaneously measured by two force plates sampling ipsilateral (biopsied) and contralateral (non-biopsied) limb force. Bilateral limb force (ipsilateral + contralateral) and imbalance (ipsilateral/bilateral) data are reported as % change from pre-biopsy (mean [95% CI]). A post-biopsy reduction in bilateral ISQ peak force (-17 [-23, -11] %; P < 0.001), ISQ rate of force development (RFD; -28 [-41, -15] %, P = 0.002) and CMJ peak take-off force (-7 [-13, -1]%, P = 0.019) occurred. Imbalance was observed for ISQ peak force (3.2 [2.1, 4.3] %, P < 0.001), RFD (2.8 [1.6, 4.0] %, P < 0.001) and CMJ landing (3.3 [1.0, 5.6] %, P = 0.009), resultant of a force transfer from the ipsilateral (biopsied) to the contralateral (non-biopsied) limb. These data suggest that in young, resistance trained men a modulatory influence on maximal voluntary static and dynamic lower-body contractile function is evoked acutely (+30 minutes) following a microbiopsy of m. vastus lateralis.

Functional phosphatome requirement for protein homeostasis, networked mitochondria, and sarcomere structure in C. elegans muscle

BACKGROUND

Skeletal muscle is central to locomotion and metabolic homeostasis. The laboratory worm Caenorhabditis elegans has been developed into a genomic model for assessing the genes and signals that regulate muscle development and protein degradation. Past work has identified a receptor tyrosine kinase signalling network that combinatorially controls autophagy, nerve signal to muscle to oppose proteasome-based degradation, and extracellular matrix-based signals that control calpain and caspase activation. The last two discoveries were enabled by following up results from a functional genomic screen of known regulators of muscle. Recently, a screen of the kinome requirement for muscle homeostasis identified roughly 40% of kinases as required for C. elegans muscle health; 80 have identified human orthologues and 53 are known to be expressed in skeletal muscle. To complement this kinome screen, here, we screen most of the phosphatases in C. elegans.

METHODS

RNA interference was used to knockdown phosphatase-encoding genes. Knockdown was first conducted during development with positive results also knocked down only in fully developed adult muscle. Protein homeostasis, mitochondrial structure, and sarcomere structure were assessed using transgenic reporter proteins. Genes identified as being required to prevent protein degradation were also knocked down in conditions that blocked proteasome or autophagic degradation. Genes identified as being required to prevent autophagic degradation were also assessed for autophagic vesicle accumulation using another transgenic reporter. Lastly, bioinformatics were used to look for overlap between kinases and phosphatases required for muscle homeostasis, and the prediction that one phosphatase was required to prevent mitogen-activated protein kinase activation was assessed by western blot.

RESULTS

A little over half of all phosphatases are each required to prevent abnormal development or maintenance of muscle. Eighty-six of these phosphatases have known human orthologues, 57 of which are known to be expressed in human skeletal muscle. Of the phosphatases required to prevent abnormal muscle protein degradation, roughly half are required to prevent increased autophagy.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant portion of both the kinome and phosphatome are required for establishing and maintaining C. elegans muscle health. Autophagy appears to be the most commonly triggered form of protein degradation in response to disruption of phosphorylation-based signalling. The results from these screens provide measurable phenotypes for analysing the combined contribution of kinases and phosphatases in a multi-cellular organism and suggest new potential regulators of human skeletal muscle for further analysis.

An overview of technical considerations for Western blotting applications to physiological research

The applications of Western/immunoblotting (WB) techniques have reached multiple layers of the scientific community and are now considered routine procedures in the field of physiology. This is none more so than in relation to skeletal muscle physiology (i.e., resolving the mechanisms underpinning adaptations to exercise). Indeed, the inclusion of WB data is now considered an essential aspect of many such physiological publications to provide mechanistic insight into regulatory processes. Despite this popularity, and due to the ubiquitous and relatively inexpensive availability of WB equipment, the quality of WB in publications and subsequent analysis and interpretation of the data can be variable, perhaps resulting in spurious conclusions. This may be due to poor laboratory technique and/or lack of comprehension of the critical steps involved in WB and what quality control procedures should be in place to ensure robust data generation. The present review aims to provide a detailed description and critique of WB procedures and technicalities, from sample collection through preparation, blotting and detection, to analysis of the data collected. We aim to provide the reader with improved expertise to critically conduct, evaluate, and troubleshoot the WB process, to produce reproducible and reliable blots.

Undernutrition regulates the expression of a novel splice variant of myostatin and insulin-like growth factor 1 in ovine skeletal muscle

Undernutrition suppresses the growth of skeletal muscles and alters the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), a key mitogen, and myostatin, a potent inhibitor of myogenesis. These changes can explain, at least in part, the reduced growth of skeletal muscles in underfed lambs. We have recently identified a myostatin splice variant (MSV) that binds to and antagonizes the canonical signaling of myostatin. In the present study, we hypothesized that the expression of MSV would be reduced in conjunction with myostatin and IGF1 in response to underfeeding in skeletal muscles of sheep. Young growing ewes were fed either ad libitum or an energy-restricted diet (30% of maintenance requirements) for 28 d. This regime of underfeeding resulted in a 24% reduction in body mass (P < 0.001) and a 36% reduction in the mass of the semitendinosus muscles relative to controls (P < 0.001) by day 28. The concentrations of MSV and IGF1 messenger RNA (mRNA) were reduced (both P < 0.001), but myostatin mRNA was not altered in semitendinosus muscles. Unlike the reduced expression of mRNA, the abundance of MSV protein was increased (P < 0.05) and there was no change in the abundance of myostatin protein. Our results suggest that undernutrition for 28 d decreases the signaling of myostatin by increasing the abundance of MSV protein. Although this action may reduce the growth inhibitory activity of myostatin, it cannot prevent the loss of growth of skeletal muscles during undernutrition.

Methods to assess subcellular compartments of muscle in C. elegans

Muscle is a dynamic tissue that responds to changes in nutrition, exercise, and disease state. The loss of muscle mass and function with disease and age are significant public health burdens. We currently understand little about the genetic regulation of muscle health with disease or age. The nematode C. elegans is an established model for understanding the genomic regulation of biological processes of interest. This worm’s body wall muscles display a large degree of homology with the muscles of higher metazoan species. Since C. elegans is a transparent organism, the localization of GFP to mitochondria and sarcomeres allows visualization of these structures in vivo. Similarly, feeding animals cationic dyes, which accumulate based on the existence of a mitochondrial membrane potential, allows the assessment of mitochondrial function in vivo. These methods, as well as assessment of muscle protein homeostasis, are combined with assessment of whole animal muscle function, in the form of movement assays, to allow correlation of sub-cellular defects with functional measures of muscle performance. Thus, C. elegans provides a powerful platform with which to assess the impact of mutations, gene knockdown, and/or chemical compounds upon muscle structure and function. Lastly, as GFP, cationic dyes, and movement assays are assessed non-invasively, prospective studies of muscle structure and function can be conducted across the whole life course and this at present cannot be easily investigated in vivo in any other organism.

Knockdown of the C. elegans kinome identifies kinases required for normal protein homeostasis, mitochondrial network structure, and sarcomere structure in muscle

BACKGROUND

Kinases are important signalling molecules for modulating cellular processes and major targets of drug discovery programs. However, functional information for roughly half the human kinome is lacking. We conducted three kinome wide, >90%, RNAi screens and epistasis testing of some identified kinases against known intramuscular signalling systems to increase the functional annotation of the C. elegans kinome and expand our understanding of kinome influence upon muscle protein degradation.

RESULTS

96 kinases were identified as required for normal protein homeostasis, 74 for normal mitochondrial networks and 50 for normal sarcomere structure. Knockdown of kinases required only for normal protein homeostasis and/or mitochondrial structure was significantly less likely to produce a developmental or behavioural phenotype than knockdown of kinases required for normal sarcomere structure and/or other sub-cellular processes. Lastly, assessment of kinases for which knockdown produced muscle protein degradation against the known regulatory pathways in C. elegans muscle revealed that close to half of kinase knockdowns activated autophagy in a MAPK dependent fashion.

CONCLUSIONS

Roughly 40% of kinases studied, 159 of 397, are important in establishing or maintaining muscle cell health, with most required for both. For kinases where decreased expression triggers protein degradation, autophagy is most commonly activated. These results increase the annotation of the C. elegans kinome to roughly 75% and enable future kinome research. As 33% of kinases identified have orthologues expressed in human muscle, our results also enable testing of whether identified kinases function similarly in maintaining human muscle homeostasis.

Decreased plasma testosterone concentrations and weight gain in young bulls affected by ryegrass staggers

Ryegrass staggers caused a significant depression of plasma testosterone concentrations in prepubertal bulls, and the most severely affected animals had a marked reduction in liveweight gain.

Invited review: New perspectives on the roles of nutrition and metabolic priorities in the subfertility of high-producing dairy cows

Management, nutrition, production, and genetics are the main reasons for the decline in fertility in the modern dairy cow. Selection for the single trait of milk production with little consideration for traits associated with reproduction in the modern dairy cow has produced an antagonistic relationship between milk yield and reproductive performance. The outcome is a multi-factorial syndrome of subfertility during lactation; thus, to achieve a better understanding and derive a solution, it is necessary to integrate a range of disciplines, including genetics, nutrition, immunology, molecular biology, endocrinology, metabolic and reproductive physiology, and animal welfare. The common theme underlying the process is a link between nutritional and metabolic inputs that support complex interactions between the gonadotropic and somatotropic axes. Multiple hormonal and metabolic signals from the liver, pancreas, muscle, and adipose tissues act on brain centers regulating feed intake, energy balance, and metabolism. Among these signals, glucose, fatty acids, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin, growth hormone, ghrelin, leptin, and perhaps myostatin appear to play key roles. Many of these factors are affected by changes in the somatotropic axis that are a consequence of, or are needed to support, high milk production. Ovarian tissues also respond directly to metabolic inputs, with consequences for folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis, and the development of the oocyte and embryo. Little doubt exists that appropriate nutritional management before and after calving is essential for successful reproduction. Changes in body composition are related to the processes that lead to ovulation, estrus, and conception. However, better indicators of body composition and measures of critical metabolites are required to form precise nutritional management guidelines to optimize reproductive outcomes. The eventual solution to the reduction in fertility will be a new strategic direction for genetic selection that includes fertility-related traits. However, this will take time to be effective, so, in the short term, we need to gain a greater understanding of the interactions between nutrition and fertility to better manage the issue. A greater understanding of the phenomenon will also provide markers for more targeted genetic selection. This review highlights many fruitful directions for research, aimed at the development of strategies for nutritional management of reproduction in the high-producing subfertile dairy cow.

Cardiac IGF-I manipulation by growth hormone following myocardial infarction

Evidence of a role for growth hormone (GH) in cardiac structure and function has been derived from studies of patients suffering either GH excess or deficiency, both of which may lead to reduced life expectancy. The role of GH in the ischaemic heart, however, is less than clear. We therefore investigated the effect of 30 days GH treatment in sheep with myocardial infarction. GH treatment significantly increased circulating IGF-I levels (P<0.01), heart weight (P<0.01), and cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area (P<0.001). IGF-I mRNA in peri-infarct cardiac tissue also increased significantly (P<0.05). We conclude that post-infarct GH treatment increases circulating and cardiac IGF-I levels, resulting in significant cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. This increase in cardiomyocyte size appears to correlate with local IGF-I expression rather than plasma IGF-I levels.

Prolonged underfeeding of sheep increases myostatin and myogenic regulatory factor Myf-5 in skeletal muscle while IGF-I and myogenin are repressed

The IGF axis is nutritionally sensitive in vivo and IGFs stimulate myoblast proliferation and differentiation in vitro, while myostatin inhibits these processes in vitro. We hypothesised that underfeeding would reversibly inhibit the myogenic activity of satellite cells in vivo together with decreased IGF-I and increased myostatin in muscle. Satellite cell activity was measured indirectly from the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and the myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), MyoD, Myf-5 and myogenin. Young sheep were underfed (30% of maintenance) and some killed after 1, 4, 12, 17, 21 and 22 weeks. Remaining underfed animals were then re-fed a control ration of pellets and killed after 2 days, and 1, 6 and 30 weeks. Expression of PCNA and MRFs decreased during the first week of underfeeding. This coincided with reduced IGF-I and myostatin mRNA, and processed myostatin. Subsequently, Myf-5, MyoD, myostatin mRNA and processed myostatin increased, suggesting that satellite cells may have become progressively quiescent. Long-term underfeeding caused muscle necrosis in some animals and IGF-I and MRF expression was increased in these, indicating the activation of satellite cells for muscle repair. Re-feeding initiated rapid muscle growth and increased expression of PCNA, IGF-I and the MRFs concurrently with decreased myostatin proteins. In conclusion, these data indicate that IGF-I and myostatin may work in a coordinated manner to regulate the proliferation, differentiation and quiescence of satellite cells in vivo.

Molecular expression of myostatin and MyoD is greater in double-muscled than normal-muscled cattle fetuses

Excessive muscling in double-muscled cattle arises from mutations in the myostatin gene, but the role of myostatin in normal muscle development is unclear. The aim of this study was to measure the temporal relationship of myostatin and myogenic regulatory factors during muscle development in normal (NM)- and double-muscled (DM) cattle to determine the timing and possible targets of myostatin action in vivo. Myostatin mRNA peaked at the onset of secondary fiber formation (P < 0.001) and was greater in DM (P < 0.001) than in NM. MyoD expression was also elevated throughout primary and secondary fiber formation (P < 0.001) and greater in DM (P < 0.05). Expression of myogenin peaked later than MyoD (P < 0.05); however, it did not differ between NM and DM. These data show that myostatin and MyoD increase coincidentally during formation of muscle fibers, indicating a coordinated role in the terminal differentiation and/or fusion of myoblasts. Myostatin mRNA is also consistently higher in DM than NM, suggesting that a feedback loop of regulation is also disrupted in the myostatin-deficient condition.

Genomic organization and neonatal expression of the bovine myostatin gene

Myostatin belongs to the Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily and is expressed in developing and mature skeletal muscle. Biologically, the role of myostatin seems to be extremely well conserved during evolution since inactivating mutations in myostatin gene cause similar phenotype of heavy muscling in both mice and cattle. In this report we have analysed the genomic structure and neonatal expression of the bovine myostatin gene. The molecular analysis shows that the bovine myostatin gene consists of three exons and two introns. The sizes of the first and second exons are 506 and 374 base pairs (bp) respectively. The size of the third exon was found to be variable in length (1701 or 1812 or 1887 nucleotides), whereas the size of the two introns is 1840 and 2033 bps. In the first exon of bovine myostatin, a single transcription initiation site is found at 133 bps from the translation start codon ATG. Sequencing the 3' untranslated region indicated that there are multiple polyadenylation signals at 1301, 1401 and 1477 bp downstream from the translation stop codon (TGA). Furthermore, 3' RACE analysis confirmed that all three polyadenylation sites are used in vivo. Using quantitative RT-PCR we have analysed neonatal expression of myostatin gene. In both the M. biceps femoris and M. semitendinosus, the highest level of myostatin expression was observed on day 1 postnatally, then gradually reduced on days 8 and 14 postnatally. In contrast, in the M. gastrocnemius, myostatin expression was highest on day 14 and lowest on day 8. These results indicate that myostatin gene structure and function is well conserved during evolution and that neonatal expression of myostatin in a number of predominantly fast twitch muscles is differentially regulated.

Nuclear DNA fragmentation and morphological alterations in adult rabbit skeletal muscle after short-term immobilization

Nuclear DNA fragmentation and ultrastructural changes, indicative of myonuclear apoptosis, were examined in adult skeletal muscle in response to short-term immobilization. Adult rabbits were allocated to 2 days (n=5) or 6 days (n=5) of unilateral casting of the ankle in full plantar flexion or were used as untreated controls (n=2). Atrophy of the soleus muscle was apparent by significant reductions in wet mass of 15% and 26% after 2 days and 6 days of casting (P< or =0.05), respectively. Mean fibre cross-sectional area and myonuclear number per section were also lower (17% and 9.1%, respectively) after 6 days of casting, in comparison with contralateral control muscles (P< or =0.05). Electron-microscopic examination showed condensed chromatin and irregularly shaped myonuclei in muscles immobilized for either 2 days or 6 days. Myofibrillar disruption and abnormalities of the subsarcolemmal mitochondria were also apparent in the absence of inflammation or plasma membrane alterations in cast muscles. Longitudinal and transverse sections showed abundant in situ end-labelling of DNA strand breaks (TUNEL) after 2 days, with less after 6 days, of immobilization. Positive labelling corresponded to myonuclear locations within fibres, yet the number of TUNEL-positive nuclei indicated DNA fragmentation in additional cell types such as capillary endothelial cells or fibroblasts. The data indicate that the immobilization of slow-twitch skeletal muscle in a shortened position rapidly induces morphological alterations consistent with mitochondrial injury and apoptotic myonuclear elimination.

Changes in IGFs in cardiac tissue following myocardial infarction

We have studied changes in the IGF axis in an ovine model of myocardial infarction (MI), in order to determine the relationship between time-based changes in post-infarct myocardium and IGF levels. IGF localization was studied by immunocytochemistry, production by in situ hybridization, and specific binding by radioligand studies. In surviving tissue, IGF-I peptide localized to cardiomyocytes, with strongest immunostaining at 1 and 2 days post-infarct in the immediate border area adjoining the infarct, where IGF-I mRNA also increased, reaching a maximum at 2 days. Binding of radiolabelled IGF-I in surviving tissue was initially lower than that seen in cardiomyocytes in control myocardium, subsequently increasing to become significantly greater by 6 days post-infarct. In necrotic tissue, IGF-I peptide was still detectable in cardiomyocytes at 0.5 days post-infarct, but had cleared from this area by 1 day, becoming detectable again at 6 days post-infarct in macrophages and fibroblasts infiltrating the repair zone. IGF-I mRNA was not detected in necrotic tissue until 6 days, when probe hybridized to macrophages and fibroblasts. Within the necrotic zone, high levels of radiolabelled IGF-I binding to a combination of receptors and binding proteins were observed in cardiomyocytes in islands of viable tissue located close to the border. Weak immunostaining for IGF-II was observed in cardiomyocytes of the surviving tissue. IGF-II mRNA was not detected in either surviving or necrotic areas. Binding of radiolabelled IGF-II was predominantly to macrophages in both surviving and infarct areas, although as with IGF-I, high levels of binding of radiolabelled IGF-II to a combination of receptors and binding proteins were observed in islands of viable tissue close to the border within the necrotic area. We conclude that, following MI, surviving cardiomyocytes at the infarct border show marked changes in IGF-I localization, production, and specific binding, indicating that the IGF axis is directly involved in post-infarct events, possibly in the maintenance of cardiac function by the induction of hypertrophy and in cell survival by decreasing apoptotic cell death, which has been demonstrated in other cell types.

Nutritional regulation of IGF-II, but not IGF-I, is age dependent in sheep

In post-natal animals, plasma concentrations of IGF-I are tightly regulated by nutritional status. The current study reports that plasma levels of IGF-II in sheep are also regulated by nutrition, but whether plasma IGF-II is increased, decreased or remains the same, depends on the age of the animal. Ewe lambs, ranging in age from 2 days to 2 years, were fed or fasted for lengths of time between 24 and 72 h. Blood samples were taken at intervals of 24 h throughout the treatment period and immediately before slaughter. Plasma concentrations of IGF-I increased with advancing age in fed animals (P<0.001) and were reduced by fasting in all age groups (P<0.001). Plasma concentrations of IGF-II also increased as animals matured (P<0.001), but did not show an overall effect of the fasting treatment. An interaction between age and nutrition (P<0.001) resulted from a decrease in plasma IGF-II in response to fasting in neonatal animals (P<0.01) and, conversely, increased levels of plasma IGF-II in fasted mature animals (P<0.01 or P<0.001). Fasted sheep of peripubertal age showed no change in plasma levels of IGF-II. The nutritional sensitivity of serum IGF-binding proteins (BPs) also changed with age. The 29 kDa BP, which we presume to be BP1, was elevated by fasting in young animals and reduced slightly in older animals. BP2 was increased to a similar magnitude by fasting at all ages. BP3 was depressed by fasting in young animals and showed little change in adults. In contrast, a 24 kDa BP, which is probably BP4, showed little change in young animals and was reduced substantially in older sheep. In conclusion, the response of plasma IGF-II to fasting suggests that this peptide has functions in mediating nutritional stress which depend on the age of the animal, and also that the role of IGF-II may differ from that of IGF-I in adults.

Insulin-like growth factor-I protects myoblasts from apoptosis but requires other factors to stimulate proliferation

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) has been shown to stimulate myoblast proliferation for a limited time after which serum is required to reactivate IGF-I-stimulated myoblast proliferation. The aim of these studies was to determine whether IGF-I can stimulate myoblast proliferation and/or inhibit apoptosis alone or whether co-factors are necessary. This was achieved by investigating the proliferative response of L6 myoblasts to IGF-I and horse serum (HS) and by examining the status of cells in terms of cell number, substrate adherence, cell viability and DNA laddering following incubation with IGF-I and HS. L6 myoblasts proliferate in response to IGF-I after 36 h is not due to accumulation of waste products or lack of IGF-I. The addition of a low level (1% v/v) of HS restores the ability of myoblasts to proliferate in response to IGF-I and this supports the existence of a mitogenic competence factor. Furthermore, myoblasts failing to proliferate in response to IGF-I after 36 h regain the capacity to respond to IGF-I for a further period of 36 h when exposed to fetal bovine serum. Following the initial (36 h) phase of IGF-I-stimulated proliferation, removal of both IGF-I and HS led to a dramatic (60%) reduction in the number of cells fully attached to the culture vessel, with 60% of the completely detached cells dead. Agarose gel electrophoresis of extracts from these detached cells revealed higher levels of DNA laddering than extracts prepared from attached cells with IGF-I present. This suggests that IGF-I acts as a survival factor by protecting cells from apoptosis. In conclusion these experiments support the presence of a mitogenic competence factor in horse serum, which restores the ability of cells to proliferate in response to IGF-I. Unlike proliferation, protection against apoptosis is achieved by IGF-I or HS independently of each other.

Myostatin, a transforming growth factor-beta superfamily member, is expressed in heart muscle and is upregulated in cardiomyocytes after infarct

Myostatin is a secreted growth and differentiating factor (GDF-8) that belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. Targeted disruption of the myostatin gene in mice and a mutation in the third exon of the myostatin gene in double-muscled Belgian Blue cattle breed result in skeletal muscle hyperplasia. Hence, myostatin has been shown to be involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass in both mice and cattle. Previous published reports utilizing Northern hybridization had shown that myostatin expression was seen exclusively in skeletal muscle. A significantly lower level of myostatin mRNA was also reported in adipose tissue. Using a sensitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique and Western blotting with anti-myostatin antibodies, we show that myostatin mRNA and protein are not restricted to skeletal muscle. We also show that myostatin expression is detected in the muscle of both fetal and adult hearts. Sequence analysis reveals that the Belgian Blue heart myostatin cDNA sequence contains an 11 nucleotide deletion in the third exon that causes a frameshift that eliminates virtually all of the mature, active region of the protein. Anti-myostatin immunostaining on heart sections also demonstrates that myostatin protein is localized in Purkinje fibers and cardiomyocytes in heart tissue. Furthermore, following myocardial infarction, myostatin expression is upregulated in the cardiomyocytes surrounding the infarct area. Given that myostatin is expressed in fetal and adult hearts and that myostatin expression is upregulated in cardiomyocytes after the infarction, myostatin could play an important role in cardiac development and physiology.

The effect of prepubertal immunization against gonadotropin-releasing hormone on the development of sexual and social behavior of bulls

To determine the effect of prepubertal immunization against GnRH on the development of sexual and social behavior of Friesian bulls, 90 calves were randomly assigned to five treatments: 1) I2, immunized against GnRH at 2 and boosted at 2.5, 4, and 7.5 mo of age, n = 2 x 10; 2) I4, immunized against GnRH at 4 and boosted at 4.5 and 7.5 mo of age, n = 2 x 10; 3) I7.5, immunized against GnRH at 7.5 and boosted at 8 mo of age n = 2 x 10; 4) S, steers castrated at 2 mo of age, n = 10; and 5) B, intact bulls, n = 2 x 10. Blood samples were collected initially every 2, then every 3 wk. Plasma was analyzed for anti-GnRH titers and plasma testosterone concentration. Sexual and agonistic behavior, male-male mounting, and damage to paddocks was assessed throughout the experiment. All immunized calves developed antibodies against GnRH (32.3 +/- 2.0% bound at a 1:10 plasma:PBS-BSA dilution, 14 d after first boost). Plasma testosterone concentrations were < 1 ng/mL for all immunized animals until 11 mo of age, when they increased to levels found in intact bulls at 14 mo of age. At slaughter, testes and seminal vesicle weights were 38.3 and 31.6% lighter, respectively, for all immunized treatments compared to B. There were no significant differences between I2, I4, and I7.5 in any of the sexual or agonistic behavior tests. Bulls scored higher than steers in all sexual behavior tests. Immunized bulls scored lower than bulls in sexual behavior tests from 10 to 17 mo of age. The proportion of immunized animals that serviced an estrous cow was lower than the proportion of intact bulls at 10, 12.5, 14, and 17 mo of age. Immunized animals scored lower than bulls in bull challenge tests at 8.5, 11.5, 13, 14.5, and 17 mo of age. Paddock damage by animals on the three immunization treatments was lower than that by bulls from 7 to 14.5 mo of age, as were leg were scores (an indicator of male-male mounting behavior) from 9 to 14 mo of age. There was no difference in sexual behavior between immunized bulls (I2, I4, and I7.5) and bulls while held in lairage pens for 16 h before slaughter, but all treatment groups scored higher than steers. There was a similar trend for agonistic behavior, although I4 bulls were no different from steers. Prepubertal immunization against GnRH at 2, 4, and 7.5 mo of age impaired testes function and affected the development of social and sexual behavior of young bulls.

Mutations in myostatin (GDF8) in double-muscled Belgian Blue and Piedmontese cattle

A visibly distinct muscular hypertrophy (mh), commonly known as double muscling, occurs with high frequency in the Belgian Blue and Piedmontese cattle breeds. The autosomal recessive mh locus causing double-muscling condition in these cattle maps to bovine chromosome 2 within the same interval as myostatin, a member of the TGF-beta superfamily of genes. Because targeted disruption of myostatin in mice results in a muscular phenotype very similar to that seen in double-muscled cattle, we have evaluated this gene as a candidate gene for double-muscling condition by cloning the bovine myostatin cDNA and examining the expression pattern and sequence of the gene in normal and double-muscled cattle. The analysis demonstrates that the levels and timing of expression do not appear to differ between Belgian Blue and normal animals, as both classes show expression initiating during fetal development and being maintained in adult muscle. Moreover, sequence analysis reveals mutations in heavy-muscled cattle of both breeds. Belgian Blue cattle are homozygous for an 11-bp deletion in the coding region that is not detected in cDNA of any normal animals examined. This deletion results in a frame-shift mutation that removes the portion of the Myostatin protein that is most highly conserved among TGF-beta family members and that is the portion targeted for disruption in the mouse study. Piedmontese animals tested have a G-A transition in the same region that changes a cysteine residue to a tyrosine. This mutation alters one of the residues that are hallmarks of the TGF-beta family and are highly conserved during evolution and among members of the gene family. It therefore appears likely that the mh allele in these breeds involves mutation within the myostatin gene and that myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth in cattle as well as mice.

Regulation by nutrition and age of insulin-like growth factor binding sites in ovine kidney

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are considered to have a role in the regulation of renal growth and development. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional stress on IGF binding in ovine kidney at different postnatal ages. Binding of IGF-I and IGF-II to kidneys of fed and fasted sheep was characterised using histological autoradiography, competitive binding assays, and SDS-PAGE. Nutritional regulation of IGF-I binding was restricted to cells of the proximal tubules of two and 14-day-old lambs where we identified an IGF binding protein which was upregulated in response to fasting and where IGF-II binding was also slightly enhanced. Ontogenetic changes occurred in the glomeruli where IGF-I binding peaked at 6 months (P < or = 0.001), and IGF-II binding increased to 4 months and then plateaued (P < or = 0.01). In the medulla, IGF-II binding was highest at 4 and 6 months (P < or = 0.05). From these studies, we conclude that the IGF axis may play a role in the regulation of the metabolic response to fasting in the kidney of young lambs. Furthermore, the changes with age which are described may reflect a transition period at 4-6 months, from an initial promotion of kidney growth and development in young lambs to establishment of the metabolic and clearance functions in the adult animal.

Effect of testosterone on binding of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-II in growing antlers of fallow deer (Dama dama)

Testosterone regulation of antler growth may be via the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). Using histological autoradiography we have measured the specific binding of IGF-I and IGF-II to antler sections during normal growth and during the maturation which follows testosterone treatment of adult fallow deer. In antlers from 20 to 100 days following casting, IGF-I binding was constant within each histological region until 80 days. Between this time and 100 days there was decreased binding to chondrocytes (P < or = 0.01) and increased binding to the reserve mesenchyme/perichondrium (P < or = 0.001). Following testosterone treatment, IGF-I binding declined in dermis (P < or = 0.05), reserve mesenchyme/perichondrium (P < or = 0.05), and chondroblasts (P < or = 0.01). Specific binding of IGF-II showed no change during normal or testosterone-stimulated growth. In conclusion, the regulation of antler maturation by testosterone may include IGF action, probably via the Type 1 IGF receptor.

Postnatal age and food intake alter insulin-like growth factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptors in ovine skeletal muscles

In female lambs aged from 2 days to 2 years, specific binding of 125I-IGF-II in muscle fibre and connective tissue of M. biceps femoris and M. gastrocnemius was demonstrated using histological autoradiography. The binding site was characterized as the IGF-II/M6P receptor in membrane preparations using competitive displacement assay and SDS-PAGE. In both muscles, 125I-IGF-II binding was more abundant in connective tissue than muscle fibre (P < or = 0.001). Levels changed significantly with age in all cell types studied (P < or = 0.001), while changes as a result of fasting were limited to a decrease in binding to the connective tissue of M. biceps femoris (P < or = 0.01). The overall decline of 125I-IGF-II binding with increasing age is correlated with a slowing of postnatal growth, while the reduction in 125I-IGF-II binding with fasting may be associated with modulating growth and composition of connective tissue, or increasing the bioavailability of IGF-II to specific muscles.

GH regulation of the Type 2 IGF receptor in regenerating skeletal muscle of rats

GH enhances skeletal muscle growth, and IGF-II peptide is highly expressed during regeneration. We have therefore investigated the effect of GH administration on IGF-II binding and expression in regenerating rat skeletal muscle using the techniques of receptor autoradiography and in situ hybridisation. Notexin, a myotoxin, was injected into the right M. biceps femoris (day 0), causing affected fibres to undergo necrosis followed by rapid regeneration. Animals were administered either GH (200 micrograms/100 g body weight) or saline vehicle daily. Contralateral muscles were used as regeneration controls. GH administration during regeneration resulted in significant increases in body weight, and damaged and undamaged muscle weights (P < 0.001). IGF-II expression, which was examined in regenerating fibres, survivor fibres and undamaged fibres, varied according to tissue type (P < 0.001). Specifically, IGF-II expression in regenerating fibres was elevated relative to control and survivor fibres after day 3 (P < 0.05), with a peak on day 9 (P < 0.001). GH did not affect IGF-II message levels. 125I-IGF-II binding in regenerating muscle was examined in the same fibre types as well as in connective tissue. 125I-IGF-II binding in regenerating fibres was higher (P < 0.001) than in other tissue types on day 5. GH administration increased 125I-IGF-II binding in all damaged muscle tissues on day 5 (P < 0.001, regenerating fibres; P < 0.01, others). We believe that this shows for the first time an effect of GH on the Type 2 IGF receptor in regenerating skeletal muscle.

Regulation of type 1 insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors and IGF-I mRNA by age and nutrition in ovine skeletal muscles

The relative abundance and location of type 1 IGF receptors in sheep muscles have been measured to determine whether changes occur during post-natal growth and nutritional stress. Using the technique of histological autoradiography, specific binding of 125I-IGF-I in muscle fibre and connective tissue of M. biceps femoris and M. gastrocnemius was demonstrated, as was specific binding to the tendon of M. gastrocnemius and the surrounding connective tissue. The binding site in both muscles was characterised as the type 1 IGF receptor in membrane preparations using competitive binding assay and SDS-PAGE. Type 1 receptors were more abundant in connective tissue than muscle fibre or tendon (P < or = 0.001). Levels changed significantly with age in all tissues (P = 0.054 to P < or = 0.001), while change as a result of fasting was limited to a receptor increase in the connective tissue of M. gastrocnemius (P = 0.034). IGF-I mRNA in M. biceps femoris, as assessed by in situ hybridisation, showed changes in expression with increasing age (P < or = 0.025) but no change with fasting. These data indicate that the distribution, relative abundance and nutritional sensitivity of type 1 receptors are related to cell type in vivo. The overall decline of receptors with increasing age may be a feature of transition from linear animal growth to cell maintenance in adult animals. Connective tissue appears to be more sensitive than muscle fibre to nutrition, possibly allowing the reduction of non-essential metabolism during fasting.

Differential regulation of plasma levels of insulin-like growth factors-I and -II by nutrition, age and growth hormone treatment in sheep

Plasma levels of IGFs-I and -II were measured in 4-month-old ewe lambs (n = 20) and 2-year-old ewes (n = 16), which were well fed (n = 18) or fasted (n = 18) for 3 days. Half of each nutrition group was given daily (0900 h) injections of bovine GH (bGH, 0.1 mg/kg body weight per day) for 3 days. Blood samples were collected immediately before the GH injection every morning. Plasma IGFs were extracted by acid gel permeation chromatography using a Waters Protein Pak 125 column, fitted to a Pharmacia fast protein liquid chromatography system, then freeze-dried, reconstituted (at pH 7.4) and estimated by RIA. At the end of the experiment, IGF-I levels in plasma were increased (P < 0.01) by exogenous bGH in both fed ewes and lambs but not in the fasted animals; plasma IGF-I levels were depressed by fasting (P < 0.01) at all ages. IGF-I levels were also found to be significantly higher (P < 0.01) in ewes than lambs. In contrast, plasma IGF-II concentrations were depressed (P = 0.02) by administration of bGH in all groups and elevated in the ewes (P < 0.05) by fasting. However, the lambs showed no significant changes in IGF-II with fasting. The IGF-II levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in lambs than ewes. Results from the present study demonstrate that GH administration stimulated an increase in plasma IGF-I and induced a decrease in plasma IGF-II. On the other hand, fasting depressed plasma IGF-I and elevated plasma IGF-II in the sheep. A significant GH/nutrition interaction for IGF-I (P < 0.01), but not for IGF-II, and a significant nutrition/age interaction for IGF-II (P < 0.01), but not for IGF-I, in the present study suggest that GH has a greater stimulating effect on plasma levels of IGF-I in the fed rather than fasted sheep and that nutrition has a greater influence on plasma levels of IGF-II in the older rather than younger animals, indicating that plasma IGFs-I and -II are differentially regulated by nutrition, GH and developmental stage in postnatal sheep.

The role of insulin-like growth factor I in clenbuterol-stimulated growth in growing lambs

We examined the role of IGF-I in muscle growth stimulated by a beta-adrenergic agonist, clenbuterol. Ewe lambs (90 d old, 20.4 kg mean live weight) were allotted to five groups. A pretreatment control group of five lambs was slaughtered immediately (0 d). The other four groups of six ewes ate freely for 38 or 80 d and were then slaughtered. Half those lambs received clenbuterol (400 micrograms.kg live weight-1.d-1) as a dietary supplement. Blood was collected at intervals from 19 d before supplementation began (0 d) until slaughter. Prerigor muscle samples were sectioned for detection of IGF-I receptors and myofibrillar ATPase activity. Carcass weights were slightly increased by treatment, whereas muscle weights (semimembranosus, gastrocnemius, and biceps femoris) were greatly increased (P < .001), up to 48% at 80 d for semimembranosus. Clenbuterol significantly decreased collagen concentration because myofibrillar proteins were preferentially produced. Collagen solubility was unaffected. Total RNA:total DNA in semimembranosus and gastrocnemius showed transcription was still stimulated between 38 and 80 d. Fiber type area analysis indicated a shift toward glycolytic metabolism, confirmed by iron measurements. However, clenbuterol did not change the portion of muscle occupied by each ATPase class, and the data indicated that type I fibers, though smaller, became relatively more numerous. In spite of significant muscle changes, plasma IGF-I was unaffected by clenbuterol. Similarly, there was no difference in the specific binding of [125I]IGF-I at slaughter between treated and control lambs. However, a response in the first few days of treatment, preceding visible hypertrophy, cannot be excluded.