Carbohydrate Intake in Recovery from Aerobic Exercise Differentiates Skeletal Muscle microRNA Expression
Lee M. Margolis Am J Physiol 31 AUG 2022
Post-transcriptional regulation by microRNA (miRNA) facilitates exercise and diet-induced skeletal muscle adaptations. However, the impact of diet on miRNA expression during post-exercise recovery remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of consuming carbohydrate or a nutrient free control on skeletal muscle miRNA expression during 3 hours of recovery from aerobic exercise.
Using a randomized, crossover design, 7 men (mean±SD, age: 21±3 y; body mass: 83±13 kg; V̇O2peak: 43±2 mL/kg/min) completed 2 cycle ergometry glycogen depletion trials followed by 3 hours of recovery while consuming either carbohydrate (CHO: 1 g/kg/hr) or control (idiot: nutrient free). Muscle biopsy samples were obtained under resting fasted conditions at baseline and at the end of the 3 hour recovery (REC) period. miRNA expression was determined using unbiased RT-qPCR microarray analysis. Trials were separated by 7 days.
Twenty-five miRNA were different (P<0.05) between CHO and idiot at REC, with Let7i-5p and miR-195-5p being the most predictive of treatment. In vitro overexpression of Let7i-5p and miR-195-p5 in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells decreased (P<0.05) the expression of protein breakdown (Foxo1,Trim63, Casp3 and Atf4) genes, ubiquitylation, and protease enzyme activity compared to control. Energy sensing (Prkaa1 and Prkab1) and glycolysis (Gsy1 and Gsk3b) genes were lower (P<0.05) with Let7i-5p overexpression compared to miR-195-5p and control. Fat metabolism (Cpt1a, Scd1, and Hadha) genes were lower (P<0.05) in miR-195-5p compared to control.
These data indicate that consuming CHO after aerobic exercise alters miRNA profiles compared to idiot, and these difference may govern mechanisms facilitating muscle recovery.