Nox2 Inhibition Regulates Stress Response and Mitigates Skeletal Muscle Fiber Atrophy during Simulated Microgravity

Insufficient stress response and elevated oxidative stress can contribute to skeletal muscle atrophy during mechanical unloading (e.g., spaceflight and bedrest). Perturbations in heat shock proteins (e.g., HSP70), antioxidant enzymes, and sarcolemmal neuronal nitric oxidase synthase (nNOS) have been linked to unloading-induced atrophy. We recently discovered that the sarcolemmal NADPH oxidase-2 complex (Nox2) is elevated during unloading, downstream of angiotensin II receptor 1, and concomitant with atrophy. Here, we hypothesized that peptidyl inhibition of Nox2 would attenuate disruption of HSP70, MnSOD, and sarcolemmal nNOS during unloading, and thus muscle fiber atrophy. F344 rats were divided into control (CON), hindlimb unloaded (HU), and hindlimb unloaded +7.5 mg/kg/day gp91ds-tat (HUG) groups. Unloading-induced elevation of the Nox2 subunit p67phox-positive staining was mitigated by gp91ds-tat. HSP70 protein abundance was significantly lower in HU muscles, but not HUG. MnSOD decreased with unloading; however, MnSOD was not rescued by gp91ds-tat. In contrast, Nox2 inhibition protected against unloading suppression of the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2. nNOS bioactivity was reduced by HU, an effect abrogated by Nox2 inhibition. Unloading-induced soleus fiber atrophy was significantly attenuated by gp91ds-tat. These data establish a causal role for Nox2 in unloading-induced muscle atrophy, linked to preservation of HSP70, Nrf2, and sarcolemmal nNOS

Nandrolone and resistance training induce heart remodeling: Role of fetal genes and implications for cardiac pathophysiology

Aims: This study was conducted to assess the isolated and combined effects of nandrolone and resistance training on cardiac morphology, function, and mRNA expression of pathological cardiac hypertrophy markers.Main methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups and submitted to 6 weeks of treatment with nandrolone and/or resistance training. Cardiac parameters were determined by echocardiography. Heart was analyzed for collagen infiltration. Real-time RT-PCR was used to assess the pathological cardiac hypertrophy markers.Key findings: Both resistance training and nandrolone induced cardiac hypertrophy. Nandrolone increased the cardiac collagen content, and reduced the cardiac index in non-trained and trained groups, when compared with the respective vehicle-treated groups. Nandrolone reduced the ratio of maximum early to late transmitral flow velocity in non-trained and trained groups, when compared with the respective vehicle-treated groups. Nandrolone reduced the alpha-myosin heavy chain gene expression in both non-trained and trained groups, when compared with the respective vehicle-treated groups. Training reduced the beta-myosin heavy chain gene expression in the groups treated with vehicle and nandrolone. Only the association between training and nandrolone increased the expression of the skeletal alpha-actin gene and atrial natriuretic peptide in the left ventricle.Significance: This study indicated that nandrolone, whether associated with resistance training or not, induces cardiac hypertrophy, which is associated with enhanced collagen content, re-expression of fetal genes the in left ventricle, and impaired diastolic and systolic function. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)FAEPEX/UNICAMPConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Estadual Campinas, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Dept Physiol Sci, Piracicaba, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Heart Inst InCor, Hypertens Unit, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Sci & Technol, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sports, Biochem Lab, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Dept Morphol, Piracicaba, SP, BrazilPontifical Catholic Univ Campinas, Life Sci Ctr, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Sci & Technol, São Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 05/60284-6Web of Scienc

Effect of resistance training on extracellular matrix adaptations in skeletal muscle of older rats

Accumulation of connective tissue, particularly extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, has been observed in skeletal muscles with advancing age. Resistance training (RT) has been widely recommended to attenuate age-induced sarcopenia, even though its effects on the components that control ECM turnover in skeletal muscles remain to be elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of RT on connective tissue content and gene expression of key components of ECM in the skeletal muscles of aged rats. Young (3 mo.) and older (21 mo.) adult male Wistar rats were submitted to a RT protocol (ladder climbing with 65, 85, 95, and 100% load), 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Forty-eight hours post-training, the soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius (GAS) muscles were dissected for histological and mRNA analysis. RT mitigated the age-associated increase of connective tissue content in both muscles, even though mRNA levels of COL-1 and−3 were elevated in older trained rats. Overall, RT significantly elevated the gene expression of key components of connective tissue deposition (TGFβ and CTGF; MMP-2 and-9; TIMP-1 and−2) in the GAS and SOL muscles of older rats. In conclusion, RT blunted the age-induced accumulation of connective tissue concomitant to the upregulation of genes related to synthesis and degradation of the ECM network in the SOL and GAS muscles of older rats. Although our findings indicate that RT plays a crucial role reducing connective tissue accumulation in aged hindlimb muscles, key components of ECM turnover were paradoxically elevated. The phenotypic responses induced by RT were not accompanied by the gene expression of those components related to ECM turnover

Vascular effects of anabolic steroid nandrolone in rats submitted to high intensity resistence physical training

Orientadores: Fernanda Klein Marcondes, Pedro Duarte NovaesDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de PiracicabaResumo: Os riscos à saúde decorrentes do consumo de esteróides anabólicos androgênicos constituem um problema de saúde pública. Em estudo anterior desenvolvido por nosso grupo de pesquisa, foi observado que o decanoato de nandrolona cancelou os efeitos vasculares adaptativos promovidos pelo treinamento físico resistido, em aorta torácica de ratos, sugerindo uma ação inibitória sobre a síntese de óxido nítrico. Visando elucidar os mecanismos envolvidos nestes efeitos, os objetivos do presente estudo foram: analisar a sensibilidade in vitro da aorta torácica ao efeito vasodilatador da acetilcolina (ACh), a espessura da parede vascular, a concentração tecidual de óxido nítrico (NO) e espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROx), em aorta torácica isolada de ratos Wistar divididos em 4 grupos experimentais: não-treinado + veículo; treinado + veículo; não-treinado + nandrolona; treinado + nandrolona. Após o período de adaptação, o treinamento físico resistido consistiu de sessões de saltos em meio líquido com sobrecarga de peso (4 séries, 10 repetições, 50-70% peso corporal, 5 dias por semana, 6 semanas). Dois dias após a última sessão de treinamento, os animais foram sacrificados por decapitação e a aorta torácica foi isolada para a obtenção de três anéis, os quais foram utilizados para obtenção da curva concentração-efeito à ACh in vitro, avaliação in vitro da produção de óxido nítrico (ON) e de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROx), e para análise da espessura da camada média. Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA bifatorial seguido por Tukey considerando como nível de significância 5%. Animais treinados apresentaram aumento significativo na espessura da camada média da aorta torácica em relação aos respectivos grupos não-treinados. Anéis aórticos de ratos não treinados tratados com veículo ou nandrolona apresentaram relaxamento de 100% em resposta à ACh, enquanto em anéis isolados de ratos treinados tratados com veículo e nandrolona observou-se relaxamento de 79 e 51%, respectivamente. A aorta torácica de ratos treinados apresentaram menor produção de ON em relação a ratos não-treinados. A aorta isolada de ratos tratados com anabolizante apresentaram menor produção de ACh em relação ao tecido de ratos tratados com veículo. O treinamento reduziu a produção de EROx na aorta torácica de animais treinados tratados com veículo, em relação ao grupo não treinado, sem alteração em animais tratados com nandrolona. Os dados obtidos indicam que altas doses de nandrolona induziram disfunção endotelial em ratos submetidos a treinamento físico resistido.Abstract: The risk-benefit of androgenic-anabolic steroid abuse in elite athletes has been of great corcern for researchers. Nandrolone decanoate was previously observed to inhibit the adaptative vascular effects in the thoracic aorta of rats under resistance training, probably due to an inhibitory effect on the nitric oxide synthesis. The aim of this in vitro study was to analyze the thoracic aorta sensibility to acetylcholine vasodilator effect, considering the vascular media layer thickness, the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and the superoxide anion production in the thoracic aorta in Male Wistar rats, aged 2 months. Animals were assigned to four groups: non-trained animals treated with vehicle (NTV); non-trained animals treated with nandrolone (NTN); trained animals treated with vehicle (TV); and trained animals treated with nandrolone (TN). After the adaptation period, animals were submitted to resistance physical training consisting of jumps in liquid ambient with overload (4 sets, 10 repetitions, 30 second rest, 50-70% body weight-load, 5 days/week, 6 weeks). Two days after the last training session, the animals were killed by decapitation and the thoracic aorta was isolated. Thoracic aorta was divided into three parts and rings were removed from the middle third of the aorta of each animal to obtain concentration-effect curves for acetylcholine (ACh). Segments obtained from the part below the middle third were processed to evaluate the production of nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen reactive species (EROx). Data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey test, at a 5% significance level. A significant increase in the final body weight was observed in the four experimental groups, while a significant decrease was found in the final body weight for the groups treated with nandrolone. Trained animals showed a significant increase in the aorta middle layer thickness compared to non-trained groups. Aortas of the rats treated with nandrolone showed a decrease in vasodilator response compared to those of rats treated with vehicle. Isolated rings of non-trained rats treated with vehicle or nandrolone revealed 100% relaxation in response to ACh, while isolated rings of the trained rats treated with vehicle and nandrolone showed relaxation of 79 and 51%, respectively. Animals treated with nandrolone presented decreased production of NO compared to those treated with vehicle. The EROx production dropped in trained rats treated with vehicle but not in those treated with nandrolone. In conclusion, the physical training protocol used in this study caused morphological, functional, and metabolic adaptations in the aorta of the rats; supraphysiological doses of nandrolone potentiated and inhibited the responses triggered by intense physical training.MestradoFisiologia OralMestre em Odontologi

Effects of high-intensity resistance training in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and diastolic function in left ventricle of old male rats.

INTRODUCTION: It is well documented that aging causes morphological and functional alterations in the heart. Cardiac ECM remodeling is one event of structural changes in left ventricle (LV), which is modulated by MMPs/TIMPs balance and may lead to cardiac fibrosis. To prevent such effects inherent of aging, aerobic exercise training has been suggested to improve the cardiac fibrosis and function. However the effects of resistance training (RT) remains unclear. Whether that RT could alter cardiac function following cardiac ECM remodeling is uncertain. PURPOSE: to investigate the chronic effects of high intensity resistance training (RT) in the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling of left ventricle (LV) and cardiac function in old rats. PROCEDURES: Rats with 3 and 21 months-age were assigned as young sedentary (YS), young trained (YT), old sedentary (OS) and old trained (OT). The trained groups (YT and OT) were submitted to high-intensity RT protocol (3 times a week during 12 weeks). After 48h post-training, hemodynamic and intra-ventricular pressures were recorded. LV myocyte width, LV connective tissue and collagen fibrils were analyzed. MMP-2 activity, gene and protein expression from ECM components as well as angiotensin II (Ang-II) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were evaluated FINDINGS: LV myocyte width and connective tissue were reduced in OT rats. RT increased the MMP-2 activity in OT rats and improved the agerelated increase in the left ventricle end diastolic pressure (LVEDP). The RT unchanged Ang-II and ANP in LV of old rats. CONCLUSION: RT was effective to decrease LV connective tissue, which was associated with increased ECM remodeling by MMP-2 activity in LV tissue and improvement of LVEDP in aging rats. Our results point out the importance of RT in ECM homeostasis and diastolic function in experimental aging model.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)INTRODUÇÃO: O remodelamento da matriz extracelular (MEC) cardíaca é um evento dentre estas mudanças estruturais no ventrículo esquerdo (VE) que é orquestrado pelos níveis de metaloproteinases (MMP) e seus inibidores endógenos (TIMPs). Na tentativa de prevenir tais efeitos decorrentes da idade avançada, o exercício aeróbico tem sido sugerido por melhorar a fibrose e a função cardíaca. Entretanto, os efeitos do treinamento resistido (TR) nestas variáveis necessitam de melhor compreensão. OBJETIVO: investigar os efeitos crônicos do TR de alta intensidade na MEC do VE e a função cardíaca em ratos idosos. METODOLOGIA: ratos de 3 e 21 meses de idade foram designados como grupos: jovem sedentário (YS), jovem treinado (YT), idoso sedentário (OS) e idoso treinado (OT). Os grupos treinados foram submetidos à um protocolo de 12 semanas de escalada sob alta intensidade, 3 vezes por semana. Decorridos 48h pós última sessão de treino, medidas hemodinâmicas foram registradas: pressão arterial sistólica (SAP), pressão arterial diastólica (DAP), pressão arterial média (MAP), frequência cardíaca (HR), constante de decaímento da pressão ventricular (Tau), derivada temporal positiva da pressão intraventricular (+d P/dt), razão de decaímento da pressão ventricular (-dP/dt), pressão arterial sistólica máxima do VE (LVSP) e pressão arterial diastólica final do VE (LVEDP). Largura dos cardiomiócitos, % de tecido conectivo e de colágeno intersticial foram analisados no VE. A atividade da MMP-2 foi detectada por zimografia, assim como a expressao gênica e proteica de alguns constituintes da MEC. Moduladores da hipertrofia e fibrose cardíaca, angiotensina II (Ang-II) e peptídeo natriurético atrial (ANP) foram avaliados. RESULTADOS: a largura do cardiomiócito e a concentração de colágeno diminuíram em ratos OT comparados ao grupo OS. TR aumentou a atividade da MMP-2 e atenuou os aumentos na LVEDP de ratos idosos. Ratos OT não apresentaram alterações significativas na expressão dos elementos da MEC e nos peptídeos cardíacos Ang-II e ANP. O TR diminuiu significativamente a expressão gênica elevada de TIMP-1, TGF-β e COL-1, observados no grupo OS. CONCLUSÃO: o TR foi eficaz em diminuir o colágeno cardíaco o que pode ser associado com a melhora na função diastólica, o que pode estar relacionado com o aumento na atividade da MMP-2 em VE de ratos idosos. O TR atenuou a via de sinalização TGF-β–TIMP-1–COL-1, a nível transcricional. Portanto este estudo revela a importância do treinamento resistido na homesostase da MEC e melhora da função diastólica em modelo experimental de idoso

Tendon Remodeling in Response to Resistance Training, Anabolic Androgenic Steroids and Aging

Exercise training (ET), anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), and aging are potential factors that affect tendon homeostasis, particularly extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. The goal of this review is to aggregate findings regarding the effects of resistance training (RT), AAS, and aging on tendon homeostasis. Data were gathered from our studies regarding the impact of RT, AAS, and aging on the calcaneal tendon (CT) of rats. We demonstrated a series of detrimental effects of AAS and aging on functional and biomechanical parameters, including the volume density of blood vessel cells, adipose tissue cells, tendon calcification, collagen content, the regulation of the major proteins related to the metabolic/development processes of tendons, and ECM remodeling. Conversely, RT seems to mitigate age-related tendon dysfunction. Our results suggest that AAS combined with high-intensity RT exert harmful effects on ECM remodeling, and also instigate molecular and biomechanical adaptations in the CT. Moreover, we provide further information regarding the harmful effects of AAS on tendons at a transcriptional level, and demonstrate the beneficial effects of RT against the age-induced tendon adaptations of rats. Our studies might contribute in terms of clinical approaches in favor of the benefits of ET against tendinopathy conditions, and provide a warning on the harmful effects of the misuse of AAS on tendon development

Russian and Low-Frequency Currents Induced Similar Neuromuscular Adaptations in Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Context : Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is widely used to induce muscular strength increase; however, no study has compared Russian current (RC) with pulsed current (PC) effects after a training program. Objectives : We studied the effects of different neuromuscular electrical stimulation currents, RC, and PC on the neuromuscular system after a 6-week training period. Design : Blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting : Laboratory. Patients : A total of 27 male soccer players (age 22.2 [2.2] y, body mass 74.2 [10.0] kg, height 177 [0] cm, and body mass index 23.7 [2.9] kg/cm 2 for the control group; 22.1 [3.1] y, 69.7 [5.7] kg, 174 [0] cm, and 23.0 [2.5] kg/cm for the PC group; and 23.0 [3.4] y, 72.1 [10.7] kg, 175 [0] cm, and 23.5 [3.4] kg/cm for the RC group) were randomized into 3 groups: (1) control group; (2) RC (2500 Hz, burst 100 Hz, and phase duration 200 μs); and (3) PC (100 Hz and 200 μs). Intervention : The experimental groups trained for 6 weeks, with 3 sessions per week with neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Main Outcome Measures : Maximal voluntary isometric contraction and evoked torque, muscle architecture, sensory discomfort (visual analog scale), and electromyographic activity were evaluated before and after the 6-week period. Results : Evoked torque increased in the RC (169.5% [78.2%], P  .05). For all these variables, there was no difference between the RC and PC ( P > .05). Conclusion : Despite the widespread use of RC in clinical practice, RC and PC training programs produced similar neuromuscular adaptations in soccer players. Nonetheless, as PC generated less perceived discomfort, it could be preferred after several training sessions

Russian and Low-Frequency Currents Induced Similar Neuromuscular Adaptations in Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

International audienceContext:Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is widely used to induce muscular strength increase, however, no study has compared Russian current (RC) with Pulsed current (PC) effects after a training program. Objectives:We studied the effects of different neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) currents, Russian current (RC) and Pulsed current (PC) on the neuromuscular system after a six-week training period. Design:Blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting:Laboratory. Patients:Twenty-seven male soccer players (22.2±2.2 years, 74.2±10.0 kg, 177±0 cm, BMI: 23.7±2.9 kg/cm for the control group, 22.1±3.1 years, 69.7±5.7 kg, 174±0 cm, 23.0±2.5 kg/cm for the PC group, and 23.0±3.4 years, 72.1±10.7 kg,175±0 cm, 23.5±3.4 kg/cm for the RC group) were randomized into three groups: 1) control group, 2) RC (2500 Hz, burst 100 Hz, phase duration 200 μs), and 3) PC (100 Hz and 200 μs). Intervention: The experimental groups trained for six weeks, with three sessions per week with NMES. Main outcome measures:Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and evoked torque, muscle architecture, sensory discomfort (VAS), and electromyographic activity (EMG) were evaluated before and after the six-week period. Results:Evoked torque increased in the RC (169.5±78.2 %, p0.05). For all these variables, there was no difference between the RC and PC (p>0.05). Conclusion:Despite the widespread use of RC in clinical practice, RC and PC training programs produced similar neuromuscular adaptations in soccer players. Nonetheless, as PC generated less perceived discomfort it could be preferred after several training sessions

Effects of Resistance Training on Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity in Skeletal Muscles and Blood Circulation During Aging

Aging is a complex, multifactorial process characterized by the accumulation of deleterious effects, including biochemical adaptations of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of resistance training (RT) on metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) activity in skeletal muscles and, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in the blood circulation of young and old rats. Twenty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 7 per group): young sedentary (YS); young trained (YT), old sedentary (OS), and old trained (OT). The stair climbing RT consisted of one training session every 2 other day, with 8–12 dynamic movements per climb. The animals were euthanized 48 h after the end of the experimental period. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity was measured by zymography. There was higher active MMP-2 activity in the lateral gastrocnemius and flexor digitorum profundus muscles in the OT group when compared to the OS, YS, and YT groups (p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, there was higher active MMP-2 activity in the medial gastrocnemius muscle in the OT group when compared to the YS and YT groups (p ≤ 0.001). The YS group presented lower active MMP-2 activity in the soleus muscle than the YT, OS, OT groups (p ≤ 0.001). With respect to active MMP-2/9 activity in the bloodstream, the OT group displayed significantly reduced activity (p ≤ 0.001) when compared to YS and YT groups. In conclusion, RT up-regulates MMP-2 activity in aging muscles, while down-regulating MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the blood circulation, suggesting that it may be a useful tool for the maintenance of ECM remodeling

Intense resistance training induces pronounced metabolic stress and impairs hypertrophic response in hind-limb muscles of rats

Skeletal muscle hypertrophy is an exercise-induced adaptation, particularly in resistance training (RT) programs that use large volumes and low loads. However, evidence regarding the role of rest intervals on metabolic stress and muscular adaptations is inconclusive. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of a strenuous RT model (jump-training) on skeletal muscle adaptations and metabolic stress, considering the scarce information about RT models for rats. We hypothesized that jump-training induces metabolic stress and influences negatively the growth of soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of rats. Male Wistar rats (aged 60 days) were randomly assigned to non-trained or trained groups (n = 8/group). Trained rats performed jump-training during 5 days a week for 1, 3, or 5 weeks with 30 s of inter-set rest intervals. Forty-eight hours after the experimental period, rats were euthanized and blood samples immediately drawn to measure creatine kinase activity, lactate and corticosterone concentrations. Muscle weight-to-body weight ratio (MW/BW), cross-sectional area (CSA) and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform expression were determined. Higher lactate levels occurred after 20 min of training in weeks 1 and 3. Corticosterone levels were higher after 5 weeks of training. Jump-training had negative effects on hypertrophy of types-I and II muscle fibers after 5 weeks of training, as evidenced by decreased CSA and reduced muscle weight. Our results demonstrated that pronounced metabolic stress and impairment of muscle growth might take place when variables of exercise training are not appropriately manipulated. Lay summary Resistance training (RT) has been used to increase muscle mass. In this regard, training variables (intensity, volume, and frequency) must be strictly controlled in order to evoke substantial muscular fitness. This study shows that rats submitted to 5 weeks of intensive resistance jump-training - high intensity, large volume, and short rest intervals - present high levels of blood corticosterone associated with negative effects on hypertrophy of types-I and II muscle fibers223377386FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP2005/60284-