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01-01-2020 | Original Article

The impact of acute and chronic exercise on Nrf2 expression in relation to markers of mitochondrial biogenesis in human skeletal muscle

Authors: Hashim Islam, Jacob T. Bonafiglia, Patrick C. Turnbull, Craig A. Simpson, Christopher G. R. Perry, Brendon J. Gurd

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Purpose

To examine the relationship between changes in nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and markers of mitochondrial biogenesis in acutely and chronically exercised human skeletal muscle.

Methods

The impact of acute submaximal endurance (END) and supramaximal interval (Tabata) cycling on the upregulation of Nrf2 (and its downstream targets), nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) mRNA expression was examined in healthy young males (n = 10). The relationship between changes in citrate synthase (CS) maximal activity and the protein content of Nrf2, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NRF-1, and TFAM was also investigated following 4 weeks of Tabata in a separate group of males (n = 21).

Results

Nrf2, NRF-1, and HO-1 mRNA expression increased after acute exercise (p < 0.05), whereas the increase in superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) mRNA expression approached significance (p = 0.08). Four weeks of Tabata increased CS activity and Nrf2, NRF-1, and TFAM protein content (p < 0.05), but decreased HO-1 protein content (p < 0.05). Training-induced changes in Nrf2 protein were strongly correlated with NRF-1 (r = 0.63, p < 0.01). When comparing protein content changes between individuals with the largest (HI: + 23%) and smallest (LO: − 1%) observed changes in CS activity (n = 8 each), increases in Nrf2 and TFAM protein content were apparent in the HI group only (p < 0.02) with medium-to-large effect sizes for between-group differences in changes in Nrf2 (η_p²₌0.15) and TFAM (η_p² = 0.12) protein content.

Conclusion

Altogether, our findings support a potential role for Nrf2 in exercise-induced mitochondrial biogenesis in human skeletal muscle.

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Title: The impact of acute and chronic exercise on Nrf2 expression in relation to markers of mitochondrial biogenesis in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Hashim Islam
Jacob T. Bonafiglia
Patrick C. Turnbull
Craig A. Simpson
Christopher G. R. Perry
Brendon J. Gurd
Publication date: 01-01-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04259-7

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

The impact of acute and chronic exercise on Nrf2 expression in relation to markers of mitochondrial biogenesis in human skeletal muscle

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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