Matrix Metallopeptidases (MMPs) Expression Up‐Regulated In Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Following Resistance Exercise

Abstract

Matrix metallopeptidases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes essential for degradation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix components (EMC), and are thought to participate in post‐exercise physiological adaptations. Recent evidence suggests that an acute bout of resistance exercise (RE) can produce muscle damage and local inflammation followed by tissue repair and remodeling. DNA microarrays have been utilized to examine the effects of exercise on global gene expression in human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The present study utilized an acute bout of RE to examine the expression of inflammatory genes in PBMCs. Ten males performed an acute bout of RE utilizing the major muscle groups in the lower extremities. Venous blood was sampled at rest, post‐exercise, and at 2 hr post‐exercise, and was analyzed for gene expression using Affymetrix Genechip Arrays. Using a conservative false discovery rate of p<0.05 and a two‐fold change of or higher threshold, microarray analysis indicated that the greatest gene response was seen at the 2 hour post‐exercise. Immediately post‐exercise and at the 2 hr recovery time points, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, MMP 14, MMP 17, MMP 19, and MMP 25 showed significant up regulation. In conclusion, RE is capable of inducing several MMPs suggesting that they may play an important role in muscle remodeling following RET.