Abstract
Exercise training is considered an effective way to prevent age-related skeletal muscle loss. However, the molecular mechanism has not been clarified. Growth and differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) has been controversially considered a regulator of skeletal muscle aging. In this study, we examined whether GDF11 is associated with skeletal muscle aging and the effects of exercise training on age-related skeletal muscle loss. First, we observed that Gdf11 mRNA and protein expression levels in young (5-month-old, n = 6) and aged (22-to 26-month-old, n = 5) mice were not significantly different. Aged mice were then divided into sedentary (n = 5) and exercise (n = 6) groups. The exercise group performed moderate-intensity treadmill running for 6 weeks. Treadmill exercise training increased Gdf11 mRNA expression in the soleus muscle, but its protein expression was not altered. In contrast, the GDF11 level in the plantaris muscle was not changed at either the mRNA or protein level. Collectively, our data demonstrate that GDF11 levels do not change during aging, and that treadmill exercise training increased Gdf11 mRNA expression in a predominantly slow-twitch muscle.
Highlights
Aging increases an animal’s vulnerability to adverse health outcomes, including death
We examined two skeletal muscles, the plantaris and soleus, that are composed by different fibers
Growth and Differentiation Factor 11 Expression in Skeletal Muscle Does Not Change With Aging
Summary
Aging increases an animal’s vulnerability to adverse health outcomes, including death. It has been reported that reductions in muscle mass and function with aging can reduce the quality of life in the elderly and even increase mortality, regardless of other risk factors (Roubenoff and Hughes, 2000; Landi et al, 2013). Many studies have reported that increased physical activity improves sarcopenia (e.g., CruzJentoft et al, 2014). Resistance exercise training increases skeletal muscle mass, and improves the muscle strength and contractile function of muscle fibers, even in the elderly (Trappe et al, 2000; Holm et al, 2008; Verdijk et al, 2009). Long-term endurance exercise training, such as cycling (Harber et al, 2012) and running (Schwartz et al, 1991), induces muscle hypertrophy in the elderly. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects of exercise on sarcopenia are still unclear
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