title: Short bouts of stretching increase myo-D, myostatin and atrogin-1 in rat soleus muscle.
abstract: Stretching is widely used in rehabilitation and sports activities to improve joint range-of-motion and flexibility in humans, but the effect of stretching on the gene expression of skeletal muscle is poorly understood. We evaluated the effect of short bouts of passive stretching of rat soleus muscle on myo-D, myostatin, and atrogin-1 gene expressions. Six groups of animals were submitted to a single session of stretching (10 stretches of 1 minute with 30 seconds of rest between them, performed manually) and were evaluated immediately (I), and 8, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours after the session. To evaluate the effect of repetitive sessions of stretching on the soleus muscle over 1 week, three groups of animals received a single session per day of stretching and the muscle was evaluated immediately after 2, 3, and 7 sessions. The mRNA levels of myo-D, myostatin, and atrogin-1 were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. A single session of stretching increased the mRNA levels of myo-D (after 24 h), myostatin (I, and 168 h later), and atrogin-1 (after 48 h). Repeated daily session of stretching over 1 week increased myostatin (after 7 sessions) and atrogin-1 expression (after 2, 3, and 7 sessions). Thus, short bouts of passive stretching are able to increase the gene expression of factors associated with muscle growth (myo-D), negative regulation of muscle mass (myostatin), and atrophy (atrogin-1), indicating muscle remodeling through different pathways.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Skeletal Muscle Plasticity, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, Km 235, CEP 13565-905, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sabrina Messa
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Peviani
authors.forename: Anna Raquel Silveira
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Roberta Fátima Carreira
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Anselmo Sigari
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Moriscot
authors.forename: Tania Fátima
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Salvini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049108:Cell Enlargement; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D017570:MyoD Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D055435:Myostatin; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D044843:SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases / Q000235:genetics*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C525911:MSTN protein, human; C525913:Mstn protein, rat; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D017570:MyoD Protein; C057363:MyoD1 myogenic differentiation protein; D055435:Myostatin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C486692:Fbxo32 protein, rat; D044843:SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases