The effect of different intensity exercise on skeletal muscle fiber MHC subtype transformation and CaN/NFATc1 signaling pathways

Abstract

To study the effect of different intensity exercise on skeletal muscle fiber myosin heavy chain(MHC) subtype transformation and CaN/NFATc1 signaling pathways. Twenty-four Male SD rats (2-month old) were randomly divided into normal control group (NC), moderate intensity exercise group (ME, grade 5°, speed 18 m/min), heavy intensity exercise group (HE, grade 10°, 26.8 m/min). The rats in exercise groups were treated with treadmill training for eight weeks. The type I and type Ⅱ muscle fibers were determined by ATPase staining method. MHC subtype was separated by SDS-PAGE. The activity of CaN was determined by colorimetric method. The content of NFATc1 protein in skeletal muscle was detected by immune imprinting technology. ①Skeletal muscle fiber density changes:the type I and Ⅱ fiber number density of quadriceps in ME group were increased significantly (P<0.05), but in HE group, only the type Ⅱ fiber surface density was increased significantly (P<0.05). The type I fiber number density of soleus in ME and HE group was increased significantly (P<0.05). ②The changes of fibers MHC subtype percentage in skeletal muscle:the percentages of MHC I and type Ⅱa of quadriceps in ME group were increased (P<0.05), while the percentage of MHC Ⅱb was decrease (P<0.05). The percentage of MHC I in soleus was increased, while the percentages of MHCⅡa and Ⅱb were decreased. ③The activity of CaN and the content of NFATc1 protein in ME group were increased significantly (P<0.05). The heavy and moderate intensity exercise may induce skeletal muscle MHC type transforming from fast to slow. At the same time, the activity of CaN and the expression of NFATc1 protein are increased accompanying the changes of skeletal muscle fibers subtype.