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Acute resistance exercise increases skeletal muscle angiogenic growth factor expression
T P Gavin1, J L Drew, C J Kubik
1Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Department of Pysiology, and Human Performance Laboratory, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. gavint@ecu.edu
Acta Physiologica (Oxford, England)
|June 15, 2007
Summary
Acute resistance exercise boosts skeletal muscle expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, similar to aerobic exercise. This supports resistance training
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Skeletal Muscle Biology
- Angiogenesis Research
Background:
- Aerobic and resistance exercise promote skeletal muscle angiogenesis.
- Acute aerobic exercise is known to increase vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if acute resistance exercise increases skeletal muscle expression of angiogenic growth factors, specifically VEGF and angiopoietin (Ang).
Main Methods:
- Seven sedentary individuals underwent vastus lateralis muscle biopsies and blood draws before and after resistance exercise.
- Measurements included VEGF, VEGF receptors (KDR, Flt-1, Nrp1), Ang1, Ang2, and Tie2 expression.
- Resistance exercise involved knee extensor training to determine 1-RM followed by 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
Main Results:
- Resistance exercise significantly increased skeletal muscle VEGF mRNA and protein, as well as plasma VEGF protein at 2 and 4 hours post-exercise.
- Expression of VEGF receptors (KDR, Tie2, Nrp1) also increased following resistance exercise.
- Skeletal muscle Flt-1, Ang1, and Ang2 mRNA levels remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Acute resistance exercise upregulates skeletal muscle VEGF, VEGF receptors, and angiopoietin receptor expression.
- The observed increases are comparable in timing and magnitude to responses seen after acute aerobic exercise.
- These findings indicate that resistance exercise contributes to skeletal muscle angiogenesis.
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