Exercise preserves physical fitness during aging through AMPK and mitochondrial dynamics

Exercise is a nonpharmacological intervention that improves health during aging and a valuable tool in the diagnostics of aging-related diseases. In muscle, exercise transiently alters mitochondrial functionality and metabolism. Mitochondrial fission and fusion are critical effectors of mitochondrial plasticity, which allows a fine-tuned regulation of organelle connectiveness, size, and function. Here we have investigated the role of mitochondrial dynamics during exercise in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that in body-wall muscle, a single exercise session induces a cycle of mitochondrial fragmentation followed by fusion after a recovery period, and that daily exercise sessions delay the mitochondrial fragmentation and physical fitness decline that occur with aging. Maintenance of proper mitochondrial dynamics is essential for physical fitness, its enhancement by exercise training, and exercise-induced remodeling of the proteome. Surprisingly, among the long-lived genotypes we analyzed (isp-1,nuo-6, daf-2, eat-2, and CA-AAK-2), constitutive activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) uniquely preserves physical fitness during aging, a benefit that is abolished by impairment of mitochondrial fission or fusion. AMPK is also required for physical fitness to be enhanced by exercise, with our findings together suggesting that exercise may enhance muscle function through AMPK regulation of mitochondrial dynamics. Our results indicate that mitochondrial connectivity and the mitochondrial dynamics cycle are essential for maintaining physical fitness and exercise responsiveness during aging and suggest that AMPK activation may recapitulate some exercise benefits. Targeting mechanisms to optimize mitochondrial fission and fusion, as well as AMPK activation, may represent promising strategies for promoting muscle function during aging.

Histidine dipeptides are key regulators of excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac muscle: Evidence from a novel CARNS1 knockout rat model

Histidine-containing dipeptides (HCDs) are abundantly expressed in striated muscles. Although important properties have been ascribed to HCDs, including H⁺ buffering, regulation of Ca²⁺ transients and protection against oxidative stress, it remains unknown whether they play relevant functions in vivo. To investigate the in vivo roles of HCDs, we developed the first carnosine synthase knockout (CARNS1^−/−) rat strain to investigate the impact of an absence of HCDs on skeletal and cardiac muscle function. Male wild-type (WT) and knockout rats (4 months-old) were used. Skeletal muscle function was assessed by an exercise tolerance test, contractile function in situ and muscle buffering capacity in vitro. Cardiac function was assessed in vivo by echocardiography and cardiac electrical activity by electrocardiography. Cardiomyocyte contractile function was assessed in isolated cardiomyocytes by measuring sarcomere contractility, along with the determination of Ca²⁺ transient. Markers of oxidative stress, mitochondrial function and expression of proteins were also evaluated in cardiac muscle. Animals were supplemented with carnosine (1.8% in drinking water for 12 weeks) in an attempt to rescue tissue HCDs levels and function. CARNS1^−/− resulted in the complete absence of carnosine and anserine, but it did not affect exercise capacity, skeletal muscle force production, fatigability or buffering capacity in vitro, indicating that these are not essential for pH regulation and function in skeletal muscle. In cardiac muscle, however, CARNS1^−/− resulted in a significant impairment of contractile function, which was confirmed both in vivo and ex vivo in isolated sarcomeres. Impaired systolic and diastolic dysfunction were accompanied by reduced intracellular Ca²⁺ peaks and slowed Ca²⁺ removal, but not by increased markers of oxidative stress or impaired mitochondrial respiration. No relevant increases in muscle carnosine content were observed after carnosine supplementation. Results show that a primary function of HCDs in cardiac muscle is the regulation of Ca²⁺ handling and excitation-contraction coupling.

Lactate up-regulates the expression of lactate oxidation complex-related genes in left ventricular cardiac tissue of rats

Background

Besides its role as a fuel source in intermediary metabolism, lactate has been considered a signaling molecule modulating lactate-sensitive genes involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle metabolism. Even though the flux of lactate is significantly high in the heart, its role on regulation of cardiac genes regulating lactate oxidation has not been clarified yet. We tested the hypothesis that lactate would increase cardiac levels of reactive oxygen species and up-regulate the expression of genes related to lactate oxidation complex.

Methods/Principal Findings

Isolated hearts from male adult Wistar rats were perfused with control, lactate or acetate (20mM) added Krebs-Henseleit solution during 120 min in modified Langendorff apparatus. Reactive oxygen species (O₂^●-/H₂O₂) levels, and NADH and NADPH oxidase activities (in enriched microsomal or plasmatic membranes, respectively) were evaluated by fluorimetry while SOD and catalase activities were evaluated by spectrophotometry. mRNA levels of lactate oxidation complex and energetic enzymes MCT1, MCT4, HK, LDH, PDH, CS, PGC1α and COXIV were quantified by real time RT-PCR. Mitochondrial DNA levels were also evaluated. Hemodynamic parameters were acquired during the experiment. The key findings of this work were that lactate elevated cardiac NADH oxidase activity but not NADPH activity. This response was associated with increased cardiac O₂^●-/H₂O₂ levels and up-regulation of MCT1, MCT4, LDH and PGC1α with no changes in HK, PDH, CS, COXIV mRNA levels and mitochondrial DNA levels. Lactate increased NRF-2 nuclear expression and SOD activity probably as counter-regulatory responses to increased O₂^●-/H₂O₂.

Conclusions

Our results provide evidence for lactate-induced up-regulation of lactate oxidation complex associated with increased NADH oxidase activity and cardiac O₂^●-/H₂O₂ driving to an anti-oxidant response. These results unveil lactate as an important signaling molecule regulating components of the lactate oxidation complex in cardiac muscle.

Skeletal myopathy in heart failure: effects of aerobic exercise training

Reduced aerobic capacity, as measured by maximal oxygen uptake, is a hallmark in cardiovascular diseases and strongly predicts poor prognosis and higher mortality rates in heart failure patients. While exercise capacity is poorly correlated with cardiac function in this population, skeletal muscle abnormalities present a striking association with maximal oxygen uptake. This fact draws substantial attention to the clinical relevance of targeting skeletal myopathy in heart failure. Considering that skeletal muscle is highly responsive to aerobic exercise training, we addressed the benefits of aerobic exercise training to combat skeletal myopathy in heart failure, focusing on the mechanisms by which aerobic exercise training counteracts skeletal muscle atrophy.

Lack of β2-AR improves exercise capacity and skeletal muscle oxidative phenotype in mice

β(2)-adrenergic receptor (β(2)-AR) agonists have been used as ergogenics by athletes involved in training for strength and power in order to increase the muscle mass. Even though anabolic effects of β(2)-AR activation are highly recognized, less is known about the impact of β(2)-AR in endurance capacity. We presently used mice lacking β(2)-AR [β(2)-knockout (β(2) KO)] to investigate the role of β(2)-AR on exercise capacity and skeletal muscle metabolism and phenotype. β(2) KO mice and their wild-type controls (WT) were studied. Exercise tolerance, skeletal muscle fiber typing, capillary-to-fiber ratio, citrate synthase activity and glycogen content were evaluated. When compared with WT, β(2) KO mice displayed increased exercise capacity (61%) associated with higher percentage of oxidative fibers (21% and 129% of increase in soleus and plantaris muscles, respectively) and capillarity (31% and 20% of increase in soleus and plantaris muscles, respectively). In addition, β(2) KO mice presented increased skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity (10%) and succinate dehydrogenase staining. Likewise, glycogen content (53%) and periodic acid-Schiff staining (glycogen staining) were also increased in β(2) KO skeletal muscle. Altogether, these data provide evidence that disruption of β(2)-AR improves oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle of β(2) KO mice and this is associated with increased exercise capacity.

Pivotal role of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4, its adaptor molecule MyD88, and inflammasome complex in experimental tubule-interstitial nephritis

Tubule-interstitial nephritis (TIN) results in decreased renal function and interstitial inflammation, which ultimately leads to fibrosis. Excessive adenine intake can cause TIN because xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) can convert this purine into an insoluble compound, which precipitates in the tubuli. Innate immune sensors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLR) and inflammasome complex, play a crucial role in the initiation of inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of TLR-2 and -4, Myd88 and inflammasome complex in an experimental model of TIN. Here, we show that wild-type (WT) mice fed adenine-enriched food exhibited significant renal dysfunction and enhanced cellular infiltration accompanied by collagen deposition. They also presented higher gene and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, TLR-2, -4, MyD88, ASC and Caspase-1 KO mice showed renoprotection associated with expression of inflammatory molecules at levels comparable to controls. Furthermore, treatment of WT animals with allopurinol, an XDH inhibitor, led to reduced levels of uric acid, oxidative stress, collagen deposition and a downregulation of the NF-kB signaling pathway. We concluded that MyD88 signaling and inflammasome participate in the development of TIN. Furthermore, inhibition of XDH seems to be a promising way to therapeutically target the developing inflammatory process.

A single bout of moderate-intensity exercise increases vascular NO bioavailability and attenuates adrenergic receptor-dependent and -independent vasoconstrictor response in rat aorta

The present study investigated the effect of one bout of moderate-intensity exercise on the adrenergic receptor-dependent and -independent vasoconstrictor response in rat aortas, and the role of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability on these vasomotor responses. One group of rats was submitted to a 60 min of exercise at approximately 60% of maximal exercise capacity on a treadmill (exercise group) and the other one was placed in the treadmill without running (control group). Immediately after this period, both groups were euthanized and the thoracic aorta was removed to evaluate the vasoconstrictor response to norepinephrine and potassium chloride, and to evaluate the vascular nitrite and nitrate concentration. One bout of exercise attenuated the maximal contractile response to both norepinephrine and potassium chloride compared to control group. These differences on vascular reactivity were not observed in endothelium-denuded aortic rings and aortic rings pre-incubated with a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor. Additionally, exercise group increased NO bioavailability (nitrite and nitrate concentration) as compared to control group. These results demonstrate that one bout of moderate-intensity exercise is able to attenuate adrenergic receptor-dependent and -independent vasoconstrictor response in rat aorta, mainly by increasing vascular NO bioavailability.