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Int J Sports Med 2004; 25(7): 502-508
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-820945
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Voluntary Exercise on the Expression of IGF-I and Androgen Receptor in Three Rat Skeletal Muscles and on Serum IGF-I and Testosterone Levels

A. Matsakas1 , M. G. Nikolaidis2 , N. Kokalas2 , V. Mougios2 , P. Diel1
  • 1Institute of Morphology and Tumor Research, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
  • 2Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Publication History

Accepted after revision: October 5, 2003

Publication Date:
24 May 2004 (online)

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Abstract

The effects of anabolic agents and training on skeletal muscle are believed to be mediated by a variety of growth and transcription factors. Among these regulatory proteins, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-Ι) and androgen receptor (AR) play a crucial role. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wheel running on IGF-I and AR mRNA expression in three distinct rat skeletal muscles (i.e., gastrocnemius, vastus lateralis, and soleus), as well as on the serum levels of IGF-I and testosterone. Twenty male Wistar rats were housed in cages with free access to running wheels for 12 weeks, while nine rats served as controls. Analysis of the mRNA expression of IGF-I and AR using real time RT-PCR revealed no significant differences between the trained and untrained rats in any of the muscles studied. Enzyme immunoassay showed significantly lower serum levels of IGF-I and testosterone in the trained compared to the untrained animals. These results suggest that chronic exercise in wheels does not affect IGF-I and AR mRNA levels in rat skeletal muscle, while decreasing the circulating levels of two anabolic factors, i.e., IGF-I and testosterone. It is concluded that IGF-I, AR and testosterone seem to play a marginal role during the adaptation process of rat skeletal muscle to long-term wheel running.

Key words

Gene expression - serum hormones - real time RT-PCR

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Antonios Matsakas

Institute of Morphology and Tumor Research · German Sport University Cologne

Carl-Diem-Weg 6

50933 Cologne

Germany

Phone: + 492214982545

Fax: + 49 22 14 98 28 37

Email: matsakas@dshs-koeln.de