The Effect of Resistance Training on the Expression of FOXO3, Murf1 and Mafbx Genes in the Soleus Muscle of Rats after 2 Weeks of Lower Limb Suspension

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 MSc of Sports Physiology, Department of Sports Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Vali Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran

2 Associated Professor, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Letters and Humanities, Vali E-Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Letters and Humanities, Vali E-Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Long-term periods of inactivity or mechanical unloading can lead to significant loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. In the present study, the effect of 4 weeks of resistance training on the expression changes of FOXO3, MuRF1 and MAFbx genes involved in muscle atrophy after a period of suspension in the soleus muscle of male rats was investigated.
Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: suspended, retraining, detraining, and training. The training groups exercised 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. Resistance training was performed by climbing a vertical ladder with a weight attached to the animals' tails. Forty-eight hours after the last training session, the soleus muscle was extracted and the gene expression levels were measured by Real-Time PCR technique. Data analysis was done with the difference between research variables was determined using one-way ANOVA tests and Tukey's post hoc test at a significance level of P ˂ 0.05.
Findings: The findings showed that the expression of FOXO3, MuRF1, and MAFbx genes significantly decreased due to resistance training in the soleus muscle of male rats, especially in the retraining group compared to other groups (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively).
Conclusion: It seems that resistance training before and after lower limb suspension reduces atrophy in the soleus muscle of male rats, however, the retraining group is more resistant to atrophy. On the other hand, lower limb suspension increases the expression of atrophic genes (FOXO3, MuRF1 and MAFbx) in the soleus muscle of rats.

Highlights

Abdolreza Kazemi: Google Scholar

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 43, Issue 818
2nd Week, August
July and August 2025
Pages 623-631

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 01 June 2025

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