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Training-induced apoptosis in skeletal muscle
F M Boffi1, J Cittar, G Balskus
1Equine Exercise Physiology Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medical Science, The University of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement
|October 31, 2002
Summary
Intense exercise training in horses triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis) in skeletal muscle. This process may facilitate muscle adaptation and enhance fitness by replacing old cells with new, stronger ones.
Area of Science:
- Exercise physiology
- Cell biology
- Equine sports medicine
Background:
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a natural cellular process.
- Oxidative stress and increased intracellular calcium are known inducers of apoptosis.
- These factors are also implicated in exercise-induced muscle damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether a structured training program induces apoptosis in Thoroughbred horses' skeletal muscle.
- To correlate markers of muscle damage and oxidative stress with apoptosis in trained horses.
Main Methods:
- Horses underwent a 3-month treadmill training program.
- Muscle biopsies were analyzed for apoptosis using the TUNEL method and DNA fragmentation assays.
- Blood creatine kinase (CK) and muscle malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation, was observed in trained horses.
- The percentage of TUNEL-positive apoptotic myocytes was significantly higher in the trained group.
- DNA fragmentation analysis confirmed increased DNA laddering in muscle samples from trained horses.
Conclusions:
- The study provides clear evidence of training-induced apoptosis in equine skeletal muscle.
- Apoptosis may play a crucial role in the muscle's adaptation cycle, enabling the replacement of damaged cells with stronger ones.
- This cellular mechanism likely contributes to training-induced improvements in equine fitness.