The effects of either eicosapentaenoic (EPA)‐ or docosahexaenoic (DHA)‐rich fish oils on hindlimb suspension (HS)‐induced muscle disuse atrophy were compared. Daily oral supplementations (0.3 mL/100 g b.w.) with mineral oil (MO) or high EPA or high DHA fish oils were performed in adult rats. After 2 weeks, the animals were subjected to HS for further 2 weeks. The treatments were maintained alongside HS. At the end of 4 weeks, we evaluated: body weight gain, muscle mass and fat depots, composition of fatty acids, cross‐sectional areas (CSA) of the soleus muscle and soleus muscle fibers, activities of cathepsin L and 26S proteasome, and content of carbonylated proteins in the soleus muscle. Signaling pathway activities associated with protein synthesis (Akt, p70S6K, S6, 4EBP1, and GSK3‐beta) and protein degradation (atrogin‐1/MAFbx, and MuRF1) were evaluated. HS decreased muscle mass, CSA of soleus muscle and soleus muscle fibers, and altered signaling associated with protein synthesis (decreased) and protein degradation (increased). The treatment with either fish oil decreased the ratio of omega‐6/omega‐3 fatty acids and changed protein synthesis‐associated signaling. EPA‐rich fish oil attenuated the changes induced by HS on 26S proteasome activity, CSA of soleus muscle fibers, and levels of p‐Akt, total p70S6K, p‐p70S6K/total p70S6K, p‐4EBP1, p‐GSK3‐beta, p‐ERK2, and total ERK 1/2 proteins. DHA‐rich fish oil attenuated the changes induced by HS on p‐4EBP1 and total ERK1 levels. The effects of EPA‐rich fish oil on protein synthesis signaling were more pronounced. Both EPA‐ and DHA‐rich fish oils did not impact skeletal muscle mass loss induced by non‐inflammatory HS.

Changes in mitochondrial size and shape have been implicated in several physiologic processes, but their role in mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake regulation and overall cellular Ca 2+ homeostasis is largely unknown. Here we show that modulating mitochondrial dynamics toward increased fusion through expression of a dominant negative (DN) form of the fission protein [dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1)] markedly increased both mitochondrial Ca 2+ retention capacity and Ca 2+ uptake rates in permeabilized C2C12 cells. Similar results were seen using the pharmacological fusion-promoting M1 molecule. Conversely, promoting a fission phenotype through the knockdown of the fusion protein mitofusin (MFN)-2 strongly reduced the mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake speed and capacity in these cells. These changes were not dependent on modifications in mitochondrial calcium uniporter expression, inner membrane potentials, or the mitochondrial permeability transition. Implications of mitochondrial morphology modulation on cellular calcium homeostasis were measured in intact cells; mitochondrial fission promoted lower basal cellular calcium levels and lower endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium stores, as indicated by depletion with thapsigargin. Indeed, mitochondrial fission was associated with ER stress. Additionally, the calcium-replenishing process of store-operated calcium entry was impaired in MFN2 knockdown cells, whereas DRP1-DN-promoted fusion resulted in faster cytosolic Ca 2+ increase rates. Overall, our results show a novel role for mitochondrial morphology in the regulation of mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake, which impacts cellular Ca 2+ homeostasis.-

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Changes in mitochondrial size and shape have been implicated in several physiological processes, but their role in mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake regulation and overall cellular Ca 2+ homeostasis is largely unknown. Here we show that modulating mitochondrial dynamics towards increased fusion through expression of a dominant negative form of the fission protein DRP1 (DRP1-DN) markedly increased both mitochondrial Ca 2+ retention capacity and Ca 2+ uptake rates in permeabilized C2C12 cells. Similar results were seen using the pharmacological fusion-promoting M1 molecule. Conversely, promoting a fission phenotype through the knockdown of the fusion protein mitofusin 2 (MFN2) strongly reduced mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake speed and capacity in these cells. These changes were not dependent on modifications in inner membrane potentials or the mitochondrial permeability transition. Implications of mitochondrial morphology modulation on cellular calcium homeostasis were measured in intact cells; mitochondrial fission promoted lower basal cellular calcium levels and lower endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium stores, as measured by depletion with thapsigargin. Indeed, mitochondrial fission was associated with ER stress. Additionally, the calcium-replenishing process of store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) was impaired in MFN2 knockdown cells, while DRP1-DN-promoted fusion resulted in faster cytosolic Ca 2+ increase rates. Overall, our results show a novel role for mitochondrial morphology in the regulation of mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake, which impacts on cellular Ca 2+ homeostasis.

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Background Skeletal muscle stem cells (satellite cells) are well known to participate in regeneration and maintenance of the tissue over time. Studies have shown increases in the number of satellite cells after exercise, but their functional role in endurance training remains unexplored. Methods Young adult mice were submitted to endurance exercise training and the function, differentiation, and metabolic characteristics of satellite cells were investigated in vivo and in vitro. Results We found that injured muscles from endurance-exercised mice display improved regenerative capacity, demonstrated through higher densities of newly formed myofibres compared with controls (evidenced by an increase in embryonic myosin heavy chain expression), as well as lower inflammation (evidenced by quantifying CD68-marked macrophages), and reduced fibrosis. Enhanced myogenic function was accompanied by an increased fraction of satellite cells expressing self-renewal markers, while control satellite cells had morphologies suggestive of early differentiation. The beneficial effects of endurance exercise were associated with satellite cell metabolic reprogramming, including reduced mitochondrial respiration (O 2 consumption) under resting conditions (absence of muscle injury) and increased stemness. During proliferation or activated states (3 days after injury), O 2 consumption was equal in control and exercised cells, while exercise enhanced myogenic colony formation. Surprisingly, inhibition of mitochondrial O 2 consumption was sufficient to enhance muscle stem cell self-renewal characteristics in vitro. Moreover, transplanted muscle satellite cells from exercised mice or cells with reduced mitochondrial respiration promoted a significant reduction in inflammation compared with controls. Conclusions Our results indicate that endurance exercise promotes self-renewal and inhibits differentiation in satellite cells, an effect promoted by metabolic reprogramming and respiratory inhibition, which is associated with a more favourable muscular response to injury.

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The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of endurance training on reduction of plasma glucose during high intensity constant and incremental speed tests in Wistar rats. We hypothesized that plasma glucose might be decreased in the exercised group during heavy (more intense) exercise. Twenty-four 10-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to sedentary and exercised groups. The prescription of endurance exercise training intensity was determined as 60% of the maximum intensity reached at the incremental speed test. The animals were trained by running on a motorized treadmill, five days/week for a total period of 67 weeks. Plasma glucose during the constant speed test in the exercised group at 20 m/min was reduced at the 14th, 21st and 28th min compared to the sedentary group, as well at 25 m/min at the 21st and 28th min. Plasma glucose during the incremental speed test was decreased in the exercised group at the moment of exhaustion (48th min) compared to the sedentary group (27th min). Endurance training positively modulates the mitochondrial activity and capacity of substrate oxidation in muscle and liver. Thus, in contrast to other studies on high load of exercise, the effects of endurance training on the decrease of plasma glucose during constant and incremental speed tests was significantly higher in exercised than in sedentary rats and associated with improved muscle and hepatic oxidative capacity, constituting an important non-pharmacological intervention tool for the prevention of insulin resistance, including type 2 diabetes mellitus.