MENS-associated increase of muscular protein content via modulation of caveolin-3 and TRIM72

Abstract

Microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS) is known as an extracellular stimulus for the regeneration of injured skeletal muscle in sports medicine. However, the effects of MENS-associated increase in muscle protein content are not fully clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of MENS on the muscular protein content, intracellular signals, and the expression level of caveolin-3 (Cav-3), tripartite motif-containing 72 (TRIM72) and MM isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MM) in skeletal muscle using cell culture system. C2C12 myotubes on the 7th day of differentiation phase were treated with MENS (intensity: 10-20 microA, frequency: 0.3 Hz, pulse width: 250 ms, stimulation time: 15-120 min). MENS-associated increase in the protein content of myotubes was observed, compared to the untreated control level. MENS upregulated the expression of Cav-3, TRIM72, and CK-MM in myotubes. A transient increase in phosphorylation level of Akt was also observed. However, MENS had no effect on the phosphorylation level of p42/44 extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 and 5’AMP-activated protein kinase. MENS may increase muscle protein content accompanied with a transient activation of Akt and the upregulation of Cav-3 and TRIM72.

Effectiveness of combining microcurrent with resistance training in trained males

“…The mechanisms associated with this training-induced effect optimization are still unclear but they can be linked to an increased muscle membrane sensitivity in response to mechanical stimulus favoring a more efficient upregulation of muscle protein synthesis and recovery after each singular workout (Ohno et al 2013; Fujiya et al 2015). In fact, the application of microcurrent in mouse cell culture upregulated the expression of MM creatine kinase, Caveolin-3 and tripartite motifcontaining 72, which are proteins related to muscle growth and remodeling (Ohno et al 2019). Additionally, a transient increase in the relative expression of protein kinase B (p-Akt), which supports the promotion of muscle anabolism and the reduction of protein degradation via mTORC1 (Morley 2016) was also reported (Ohno et al 2019).…”

“…In fact, the application of microcurrent in mouse cell culture upregulated the expression of MM creatine kinase, Caveolin-3 and tripartite motifcontaining 72, which are proteins related to muscle growth and remodeling (Ohno et al 2019). Additionally, a transient increase in the relative expression of protein kinase B (p-Akt), which supports the promotion of muscle anabolism and the reduction of protein degradation via mTORC1 (Morley 2016) was also reported (Ohno et al 2019). In this context Kwon et al (2017) observed beneficial effects of a short-term 40 min microcurrent treatment to improve handgrip strength, lower body endurance and muscular efficiency in elderly individuals.…”

“…In this context, combining microcurrent with training could be an effective strategy for improving muscle function during exercise, attenuate muscle damage and optimize recovery (Kwon et al 2017) by maximizing the skeletal muscle protein synthesis response (Ohno et al 2019) and increasing the mitotic activity of satellite cells (Park et al 2019). Recent studies in animals suggested positive effects of microcurrent to increase MM isoenzyme of creatine kinase, a marker of myogenic differentiation (Ohno et al 2019) and to activate intracellular signalling pathways involved in the activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) (Moon et al 2018; Ohno et al 2019). Furthermore, compared to sham treatment microcurrent therapy can also prevent muscle damage (Lambert et al 2002; Kwon et al 2017).…”

“…The aim of this investigation, therefore, was to analyze the effects of adding a daily microcurrent treatment using a complex pulsed waveform with a fundamental frequency of 1.0309 kHz along with a variety of current intensities between 50 and 400 μA, to a regular resistance exercise program on training-induced outcomes in resistance-trained young male individuals. Given the potential benefits of microcurrent in promoting growth and remodeling in animal skeletal muscles (Ohno et al 2013, 2019; Fujiya et al 2015), the primary outcome measures were changes in body composition and muscle architecture. Due to its impact in limiting recovery of the muscular function following hard exercise protocols (Udani et al 2009) secondary outcome measures included changes in performance and the perception of muscular soreness.…”

MBNL1-Associated Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Apoptosis in C2C12 Myotubes and Mouse Skeletal Muscle

“…In this study, on the other hand, the total protein content in C2C12 myotubes was decreased by MBNL1 knockdown. In general, total protein content increases, accompanying myotube growth and differentiation [32][33][34]. Therefore, the decrease of total protein content induced by MBNL1 knockdown might indicate a decrease in the cytoplasmic protein contents in myotubes without any structural changes.…”