Abstract
Physical exercise has profound effects on quality of life and susceptibility to chronic disease, however the regulation of skeletal muscle function at the molecular level after exercise remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that the benefits of exercise on muscle function are linked, in part, to microtraumatic events and accumulation of free heme. Effective metabolism of heme is controlled by Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1, Hmox1) and we find that skeletal muscle-specific Hmox1-/- mice (Tam-Cre-HSA-Hmox1fl/fl) exhibit significant impairment in motor performance after exercise compared to Hmox1fl/fl controls. Further, we observed a shift in the proportion of muscle fibers from type IIA to IIB with remarkable muscle atrophy not observed in Hmox1fl/fl mice. Finally, there was significant disruption in mitochondrial content and functionality in fibers from Hmox1fl/fl-deficient mice that became markedly enhanced with exercise. Collectively, these findings support heme and HO-1 as central regulators in the physiologic response of skeletal muscle to exercise.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
