Sulforaphane treatment mimics contractile activity-induced mitochondrial adaptations in muscle myotubes

Mitochondria are metabolic hubs that govern skeletal muscle health. Although exercise has been established as a powerful inducer of quality control processes that ultimately enhance mitochondrial function, there are currently limited pharmaceutical interventions available that emulate exercise-induced mitochondrial adaptations. To investigate a novel candidate for this role, we examined sulforaphane (SFN), a naturally occurring compound found in cruciferous vegetables. SFN has been documented as a potent antioxidant inducer through its activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) antioxidant response pathway. However, its effects on muscle health have been underexplored. To investigate the interplay between chronic exercise and SFN, C2C12 myotubes were electrically stimulated to model chronic contractile activity (CCA) in the presence or absence of SFN. SFN promoted Nrf-2 nuclear translocation, enhanced mitochondrial respiration, and upregulated key antioxidant proteins including catalase and glutathione reductase. These adaptations were accompanied by reductions in cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission. Signaling toward biogenesis was enhanced, demonstrated by increases in mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1α nuclear translocation, PGC-1α promoter activity, mitochondrial content, and organelle branching, suggestive of a larger, more interconnected mitochondrial pool. These mitochondrial adaptations were accompanied by an increase in lysosomal proteins, suggesting coordinated regulation. There was no difference in mitochondrial and antioxidant-related proteins between CCA and non-CCA SFN-treated cells. Our data suggest that SFN activates signaling cascades that are common to those produced by contractile activity, indicating that SFN-centered therapeutic strategies may improve the mitochondrial phenotype in skeletal muscle.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Nrf-2 is a transcription factor that has been implicated in mitigating oxidative stress and regulating mitochondrial homeostasis. However, limited research has demonstrated how Nrf-2-mediated adaptations compare with those produced by exercise. To investigate this, we treated myotubes with Sulforaphane, a well-established Nrf-2 activator, and combined this with stimulation-induced chronic contractile activity to model exercise training. Our work is the first to establish that sulforaphane mimics training-induced mitochondrial adaptations, including enhancements in respiration, biogenesis, and dynamics.