scholarly journals Gsα deficiency in skeletal muscle leads to reduced muscle mass, fiber-type switching, and glucose intolerance without insulin resistance or deficiency

2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (4) ◽  
pp. C930-C940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Chen ◽  
Han-Zhong Feng ◽  
Divakar Gupta ◽  
James Kelleher ◽  
Kathryn E. Dickerson ◽  
...  

The ubiquitously expressed G protein α-subunit Gsα is required for receptor-stimulated intracellular cAMP responses and is an important regulator of energy and glucose metabolism. We have generated skeletal muscle-specific Gsα-knockout (KO) mice (MGsKO) by mating Gsα-floxed mice with muscle creatine kinase-cre transgenic mice. MGsKO mice had normal body weight and composition, and their serum glucose, insulin, free fatty acid, and triglyceride levels were similar to that of controls. However, MGsKO mice were glucose intolerant despite the fact that insulin sensitivity and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion were normal, suggesting an insulin-independent mechanism. Isolated muscles from MGsKO mice had increased basal glucose uptake and normal responses to a stimulator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which indicates that AMPK and its downstream pathways are intact. Compared with control mice, MGsKO mice had reduced muscle mass with decreased cross-sectional area and force production. In addition, adult MGsKO mice showed an increased proportion of type I (slow-twitch, oxidative) fibers based on kinetic properties and myosin heavy chain isoforms, despite the fact that these muscles had reduced expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator protein-1α (PGC-1α) and reduced mitochondrial content and oxidative capacity. Therefore Gsα deficiency led to fast-to-slow fiber-type switching, which appeared to be dissociated from the expected change in oxidative capacity. MGsKO mice are a valuable model for future studies of the role of Gsα signaling pathways in skeletal muscle adaptation and their effects on whole body metabolism.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan van der Zwaard ◽  
Franck Brocherie ◽  
Richard T. Jaspers

In the past decades, researchers have extensively studied (elite) athletes' physiological responses to understand how to maximize their endurance performance. In endurance sports, whole-body measurements such as the maximal oxygen consumption, lactate threshold, and efficiency/economy play a key role in performance. Although these determinants are known to interact, it has also been demonstrated that athletes rarely excel in all three. The leading question is how athletes reach exceptional values in one or all of these determinants to optimize their endurance performance, and how such performance can be explained by (combinations of) underlying physiological determinants. In this review, we advance on Joyner and Coyle's conceptual framework of endurance performance, by integrating a meta-analysis of the interrelationships, and corresponding effect sizes between endurance performance and its key physiological determinants at the macroscopic (whole-body) and the microscopic level (muscle tissue, i.e., muscle fiber oxidative capacity, oxygen supply, muscle fiber size, and fiber type). Moreover, we discuss how these physiological determinants can be improved by training and what potential physiological challenges endurance athletes may face when trying to maximize their performance. This review highlights that integrative assessment of skeletal muscle determinants points toward efficient type-I fibers with a high mitochondrial oxidative capacity and strongly encourages well-adjusted capillarization and myoglobin concentrations to accommodate the required oxygen flux during endurance performance, especially in large muscle fibers. Optimisation of endurance performance requires careful design of training interventions that fine tune modulation of exercise intensity, frequency and duration, and particularly periodisation with respect to the skeletal muscle determinants.


1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (2) ◽  
pp. R601-R606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian J. Carlson ◽  
Frank W. Booth ◽  
Scott E. Gordon

Transgenic mice lacking a functional myostatin (MSTN) gene demonstrate greater skeletal muscle mass resulting from muscle fiber hypertrophy and hyperplasia (McPherron, A. C., A. M. Lawler, and S.-J. Lee. Nature 387: 83–90, 1997). Therefore, we hypothesized that, in normal mice, MSTN may act as a negative regulator of muscle mass. Specifically, we hypothesized that the predominately slow (type I) soleus muscle, which demonstrates greater atrophy than the fast (type II) gastrocnemius-plantaris complex (Gast/PLT), would show more elevation in MSTN mRNA abundance during hindlimb unloading (HU). Surprisingly, MSTN mRNA was not detectable in weight-bearing or HU soleus muscle, which atrophied 42% by the 7th day of HU in female ICR mice. In contrast, MSTN mRNA was present in weight-bearing Gast/PLT muscle and was significantly elevated (67%) at 1 day but not at 3 or 7 days of HU. However, the Gast/PLT muscle had only atrophied 17% by the 7th day of HU. Because the soleus is composed only of type I and IIa fibers, whereas the Gast/PLT expresses type IId/x and IIb in addition to type I and IIa, it was necessary to perform a more careful analysis of the relationship between MSTN mRNA levels and myosin heavy-chain (MHC) isoform expression (as a marker of fiber type). A significant correlation ( r = 0.725, P < 0.0005) was noted between the percentage of MHC isoform IIb expression and MSTN mRNA abundance in several muscles of the mouse hindlimb. These results indicate that MSTN expression is not strongly associated with muscle atrophy induced by HU; however, it is strongly associated with MHC isoform IIb expression in normal muscle.


2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (2) ◽  
pp. R326-R333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam J. Rose ◽  
Bruno Bisiani ◽  
Bodil Vistisen ◽  
Bente Kiens ◽  
Erik A. Richter

Protein synthesis in skeletal muscle is known to decrease during exercise, and it has been suggested that this may depend on the magnitude of the relative metabolic stress within the contracting muscle. To examine the mechanisms behind this, the effect of exercise intensity on skeletal muscle eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1) phosphorylation, key components in the mRNA translation machinery, were examined together with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in healthy young men. Skeletal muscle eEF2 phosphorylation at Thr56 increased during exercise but was not influenced by exercise intensity, and was lower than rest 30 min after exercise. On the other hand, 4EBP1 phosphorylation at Thr37/46 decreased during exercise, and this decrease was greater at higher exercise intensities and was similar to rest 30 min after exercise. AMPK activity, as indexed by AMPK α-subunit phosphorylation at Thr172 and phosphorylation of the AMPK substrate ACCβ at Ser221, was higher with higher exercise intensities, and these indices were higher than rest after high-intensity exercise only. Using immunohistochemistry, it was shown that the increase in skeletal muscle eEF2 Thr56 phosphorylation was restricted to type I myofibers. Taken together, these data suggest that the depression of skeletal muscle protein synthesis with endurance-type exercise may be regulated at both initiation (i.e., 4EBP1) and elongation (i.e., eEF2) steps, with eEF2 phosphorylation contributing at all exercise intensities but 4EBP1 dephosphorylation contributing to a greater extent at high vs. low exercise intensities.


2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 1685-1692 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Mattson ◽  
Todd A. Miller ◽  
David C. Poole ◽  
Michael D. Delp

The hamster is a valuable biological model for physiological investigation. Despite the obvious importance of the integration of cardiorespiratory and muscular system function, little information is available regarding hamster muscle fiber type and oxidative capacity, both of which are key determinants of muscle function. The purpose of this investigation was to measure immunohistochemically the relative composition and size of muscle fibers composed of types I, IIA, IIX, and IIB fibers in hamster skeletal muscle. The oxidative capacity of each muscle was also assessed by measuring citrate synthase activity. Twenty-eight hindlimb, respiratory, and facial muscles or muscle parts from adult (144–147 g bw) male Syrian golden hamsters ( n=3) were dissected bilaterally, weighed, and frozen for immunohistochemical and biochemical analysis. Combining data from all 28 muscles analyzed, type I fibers made up 5% of the muscle mass, type IIA fibers 16%, type IIX fibers 39%, and type IIB fibers 40%. Mean fiber cross-sectional area across muscles was 1665 ± 328 μm2 for type I fibers, 1900 ± 417 μm2 for type IIA fibers, 3230 ± 784 μm2 for type IIX fibers, and 4171 ± 864 μm2 for type IIB fibers. Citrate synthase activity was most closely related to the population of type IIA fibers ( r=0.68, p<0.0001) and was in the rank order of type IIA > I > IIX > IIB. These data demonstrate that hamster skeletal muscle is predominantly composed of type IIB and IIX fibers.


2008 ◽  
Vol 183 (6) ◽  
pp. 1033-1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda S. Cowling ◽  
Meagan J. McGrath ◽  
Mai-Anh Nguyen ◽  
Denny L. Cottle ◽  
Anthony J. Kee ◽  
...  

Regulators of skeletal muscle mass are of interest, given the morbidity and mortality of muscle atrophy and myopathy. Four-and-a-half LIM protein 1 (FHL1) is mutated in several human myopathies, including reducing-body myopathy (RBM). The normal function of FHL1 in muscle and how it causes myopathy remains unknown. We find that FHL1 transgenic expression in mouse skeletal muscle promotes hypertrophy and an oxidative fiber-type switch, leading to increased whole-body strength and fatigue resistance. Additionally, FHL1 overexpression enhances myoblast fusion, resulting in hypertrophic myotubes in C2C12 cells, (a phenotype rescued by calcineurin inhibition). In FHL1-RBM C2C12 cells, there are no hypertrophic myotubes. FHL1 binds with the calcineurin-regulated transcription factor NFATc1 (nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin-dependent 1), enhancing NFATc1 transcriptional activity. Mutant RBM-FHL1 forms aggregate bodies in C2C12 cells, sequestering NFATc1 and resulting in reduced NFAT nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity. NFATc1 also colocalizes with mutant FHL1 to reducing bodies in RBM-afflicted skeletal muscle. Therefore, via NFATc1 signaling regulation, FHL1 appears to modulate muscle mass and strength enhancement.


2002 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 2005-2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori W. Smith ◽  
John D. Smith ◽  
David S. Criswell

The purpose of this study was to determine the necessity of nitric oxide (NO) for hypertrophy and fiber-type transition in overloaded (OL) skeletal muscle. Endogenous NO production was blocked by administering N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 0.75 mg/ml; ∼100 mg · kg−1 · day−1) in drinking water. Thirty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats (∼250 g) were randomly divided into four groups: control-nonoverloaded (Non-OL), control-OL, l-NAME-Non-OL, andl-NAME-OL. Chronic overload of the plantaris was induced bilaterally by surgical removal of the gastrocnemius and soleus. Rats in the Non-OL groups received sham surgeries. l-NAME treatment began 24 h before surgery and continued until the rats were killed 14 days postsurgery. Although OL induced hypertrophy in both control (+76%) and l-NAME (+39%) conditions ( P < 0.05), mean plantaris-to-body mass ratio in thel-NAME-OL group was significantly lower ( P< 0.05) than that in the control-OL group. Microphotometric analysis of histochemically determined fiber types revealed increases in cross-sectional area ( P < 0.05) for all fiber types (types I, IIA, and IIB/X) in the OL plantaris from control rats, whereas l-NAME-OL rats exhibited increases only in type I and IIB/X fibers. SDS-PAGE analysis of myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition in the plantaris indicated a significant ( P< 0.05) OL effect in the control rats. Specifically, the mean proportion of type I MHC increased 6% ( P < 0.05), whereas the proportion of type IIb MHC decreased ∼9% ( P < 0.05). No significant OL effects on MHC profile were observed in the l-NAME rats. These data support a role of NO in overload-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy and fiber-type transition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1287-1298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélina Bailly ◽  
Natacha Germain ◽  
Léonard Féasson ◽  
Frédéric Costes ◽  
Bruno Estour ◽  
...  

Constitutional thinness (CT) is a nonpathological state of underweight. The current study aimed to explore skeletal muscle energy storage in individuals with CT and to further characterize muscle phenotype at baseline and in response to overfeeding. Thirty subjects with CT (15 females, 15 males) and 31 normal-weight control subjects (16 females, 15 males) participated in the study. Histological and enzymological analyses were performed on muscle biopsy specimens before and after overfeeding. In the skeletal muscle of CT participants compared with controls, we observed a lower content of intramuscular triglycerides for type I (−17%, p < 0.01) and type IIA (−14%, p < 0.05) muscle fibers, a lower glycogen content for type I (−6%, p < 0.01) and type IIA (−5%, p < 0.05) muscle fibers, a specific fiber-type distribution, a marked muscle hypotrophy (−20%, p < 0.001), a low capillary-to-fiber ratio (−19%, p < 0.001), and low citrate synthase activity (−18%, p < 0.05). In response to overfeeding, CT participants increased their intramuscular triglycerides content in type I (+10%, p < 0.01) and type IIA (+9%, p < 0.01) muscle fibers. CT individuals seem to present an unusual muscle phenotype and different adaptations to overfeeding compared with normal-weight individuals, suggesting a specific energy metabolism and muscle adaptations. ClinicalTrials.gov registration no. NCT02004821. Novelty Low intramuscular triglycerides and glycogen content in skeletal muscle of constitutionally thin individuals. Low oxidative capacity, low capillary supply, and fiber hypotrophy in skeletal muscle of constitutionally thin individuals. Increase in intramuscular triglycerides in constitutional thinness in response to overfeeding.


2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (5) ◽  
pp. E882-E888 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Dubé ◽  
Francesca Amati ◽  
Maja Stefanovic-Racic ◽  
Frederico G. S. Toledo ◽  
Sarah E. Sauers ◽  
...  

We previously reported an “athlete's paradox” in which endurance-trained athletes, who possess a high oxidative capacity and enhanced insulin sensitivity, also have higher intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content. The purpose of this study was to determine whether moderate exercise training would increase IMCL, oxidative capacity of muscle, and insulin sensitivity in previously sedentary overweight to obese, insulin-resistant, older subjects. Twenty-five older (66.4 ± 0.8 yr) obese (BMI = 30.3 ± 0.7 kg/m2) men ( n = 9) and women ( n = 16) completed a 16-wk moderate but progressive exercise training program. Body weight and fat mass modestly but significantly ( P < 0.01) decreased. Insulin sensitivity, measured using the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, was increased (21%, P = 0.02), with modest improvements (7%, P = 0.04) in aerobic fitness (V̇o2peak). Histochemical analyses of IMCL (Oil Red O staining), oxidative capacity [succinate dehydrogenase activity (SDH)], glycogen content, capillary density, and fiber type were performed on skeletal muscle biopsies. Exercise training increased IMCL by 21%. In contrast, diacylglycerol and ceramide, measured by mass spectroscopy, were decreased ( n = 13; −29% and −24%, respectively, P < 0.05) with exercise training. SDH (19%), glycogen content (15%), capillary density (7%), and the percentage of type I slow oxidative fibers (from 50.8 to 55.7%), all P ≤ 0.05, were increased after exercise. In summary, these results extend the athlete's paradox by demonstrating that chronic exercise in overweight to obese older adults improves insulin sensitivity in conjunction with favorable alterations in lipid partitioning and an enhanced oxidative capacity within muscle. Therefore, several key deleterious effects of aging and/or obesity on the metabolic profile of skeletal muscle can be reversed with only moderate increases in physical activity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 312 (4) ◽  
pp. E282-E299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen S. Deane ◽  
Daniel J. Wilkinson ◽  
Bethan E. Phillips ◽  
Kenneth Smith ◽  
Timothy Etheridge ◽  
...  

Skeletal muscles have a fundamental role in locomotion and whole body metabolism, with muscle mass and quality being linked to improved health and even lifespan. Optimizing nutrition in combination with exercise is considered an established, effective ergogenic practice for athletic performance. Importantly, exercise and nutritional approaches also remain arguably the most effective countermeasure for muscle dysfunction associated with aging and numerous clinical conditions, e.g., cancer cachexia, COPD, and organ failure, via engendering favorable adaptations such as increased muscle mass and oxidative capacity. Therefore, it is important to consider the effects of established and novel effectors of muscle mass, function, and metabolism in relation to nutrition and exercise. To address this gap, in this review, we detail existing evidence surrounding the efficacy of a nonexhaustive list of macronutrient, micronutrient, and “nutraceutical” compounds alone and in combination with exercise in relation to skeletal muscle mass, metabolism (protein and fuel), and exercise performance (i.e., strength and endurance capacity). It has long been established that macronutrients have specific roles and impact upon protein metabolism and exercise performance, (i.e., protein positively influences muscle mass and protein metabolism), whereas carbohydrate and fat intakes can influence fuel metabolism and exercise performance. Regarding novel nutraceuticals, we show that the following ones in particular may have effects in relation to 1) muscle mass/protein metabolism: leucine, hydroxyl β-methylbutyrate, creatine, vitamin-D, ursolic acid, and phosphatidic acid; and 2) exercise performance: (i.e., strength or endurance capacity): hydroxyl β-methylbutyrate, carnitine, creatine, nitrates, and β-alanine.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 607
Author(s):  
Angela Vidal ◽  
Rafael Rios ◽  
Carmen Pineda ◽  
Ignacio Lopez ◽  
Ana I. Raya ◽  
...  

The influence of energy restriction (ER) on muscle is controversial, and the mechanisms are not well understood. To study the effect of ER on skeletal muscle phenotype and the influence of vitamin D, rats (n = 34) were fed a control diet or an ER diet. Muscle mass, muscle somatic index (MSI), fiber-type composition, fiber size, and metabolic activity were studied in tibialis cranialis (TC) and soleus (SOL) muscles. Plasma vitamin D metabolites and renal expression of enzymes involved in vitamin D metabolism were measured. In the ER group, muscle weight was unchanged in TC and decreased by 12% in SOL, but MSI increased in both muscles (p < 0.0001) by 55% and 36%, respectively. Histomorphometric studies showed 14% increase in the percentage of type IIA fibers and 13% reduction in type IIX fibers in TC of ER rats. Decreased size of type I fibers and reduced oxidative activity was identified in SOL of ER rats. An increase in plasma 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D (169.7 ± 6.8 vs. 85.4 ± 11.5 pg/mL, p < 0.0001) with kidney up-regulation of CYP27b1 and down-regulation of CYP24a1 was observed in ER rats. Plasma vitamin D correlated with MSI in both muscles (p < 0.001), with the percentages of type IIA and type IIX fibers in TC and with the oxidative profile in SOL. In conclusion, ER preserves skeletal muscle mass, improves contractile phenotype in phasic muscles (TC), and reduces energy expenditure in antigravity muscles (SOL). These beneficial effects are closely related to the increases in vitamin D secondary to ER.


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