Multi-tissue responses to exercise: A MoTrPAC feasibility study.

Abstract

We assessed the feasibility of the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC) human adult clinical exercise protocols, while also documenting select cardiovascular, metabolic, and molecular responses to these protocols. After phenotyping and familiarization sessions, 20 subjects (25±2yr, 12M, 8W) completed an endurance exercise bout (n=8, 40 min cycling at 70% VO2max), a resistance exercise bout (n=6, ~45 min, 3 sets of ~10 repetition maximum, 8 exercises), or a resting control period (n=6, 40 min rest). Blood samples were taken before, during, and after (10 min, 2h, 3.5h) exercise or rest for levels of catecholamines, cortisol, glucagon, insulin, glucose, free fatty acids, and lactate. Heart rate was recorded throughout exercise (or rest). Skeletal muscle (vastus lateralis) and adipose (peri-umbilical) biopsies were taken before and ~4h following exercise or rest for mRNA levels of genes related to energy metabolism, growth, angiogenesis, and circadian processes. Coordination of the timing of procedural components (e.g., local anesthetic delivery, biopsy incisions, tumescent delivery, intravenous line flushes, sample collection and processing, exercise transitions, and team dynamics) were reasonable to orchestrate while considering subject burden and scientific objectives. The cardiovascular and metabolic alterations reflected a dynamic and unique response to endurance and resistance exercise, while skeletal muscle was transcriptionally more responsive than adipose 4h post-exercise. In summary, the current report provides the first evidence of protocol execution and feasibility of key components of the MoTrPAC human adult clinical exercise protocols. Scientists should consider designing exercise studies in various populations to interface with the MoTrPAC protocols and DataHub.