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HSP72 gene expression progressively increases in human skeletal muscle during prolonged, exhaustive exercise
1Exercise Physiology and Metabolism Laboratory, Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. m.febbraio@physiology.unimelb.edu.au
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|August 24, 2000
Summary
Acute cycling exercise progressively increases heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) mRNA in skeletal muscle. This suggests exercise itself triggers a cellular stress response, even without extreme heat.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Skeletal Muscle Adaptation
Background:
- Heat shock proteins (HSP) are crucial for cellular protection against stress.
- Understanding HSP induction during exercise informs cellular stress response mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of acute cycling exercise on heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) mRNA expression in human skeletal muscle.
- To correlate HSP72 mRNA levels with muscle temperature, glycogen, and lactate concentrations during exercise.
Main Methods:
- Healthy humans performed cycling to exhaustion at 63% peak oxygen uptake.
- Skeletal muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were collected at rest and various exercise time points.
- Muscle samples analyzed for HSP72 mRNA, glycogen, and lactate concentrations.
Main Results:
- Muscle temperature and lactate initially increased, then stabilized or decreased.
- Muscle glycogen concentration significantly decreased throughout exercise.
- HSP72 mRNA expression showed a progressive, significant increase from rest to fatigue.
Conclusions:
- Acute, submaximal cycling exercise induces a progressive increase in skeletal muscle HSP72 mRNA.
- These findings indicate that exercise-induced cellular stress, independent of elevated muscle temperature, can initiate a stress response.
- HSP72 mRNA induction during exercise highlights its role in muscle adaptation and protection.