Abstract:
This investigation aimed to provide insight into the changes in gene expression in
human adipose and skeletal muscle tissues in response to a bout of whole-body
resistance exercise (RE). Healthy, young individuals (n=6, 25 ± 1y) completed an RE
bout consisting of eight upper and lower body exercises (3 x 10 reps at 70% 1RM
each). Subjects (n=6, 24 ± 1y) in the control group (CON) remained at rest in the supine
position. Biopsies from the subcutaneous adipose tissue and vastus lateralis muscle
were obtained before and after ~4 h of RE or CON to assess the mRNA expression of
genes involved in energy metabolism (PPAR𝛾, PGC-1α, PDK4, ANGPTL4, LPL), tissue
growth (IGF-1, MSTN, Fn14), angiogenesis (VEGFA and HIF-1α), and inflammation (IL-
6 and TNF-α). In skeletal muscle, RE increased the expression of PGC-1α, PDK4,
Fn14, and VEGFA (P<0.05); a main effect of time was observed for ANGPTL4, LPL,
and MSTN (P<0.05). In adipose tissue, there was no change in the expression of the
set of genes examined following RE or CON (P>0.05). The modest response in gene
expression observed in skeletal muscle aligns with previous research in this area, and
highlights the transcriptional activity occurring within this tissue to regulate the various
demands of exercise and the possible adaptations related to RE. The observed main
time effects suggest the influence of systemic and/or circadian factors independent of
RE on transcriptional activity in skeletal muscle. Although the RE stimulus appeared to
have no effect on mRNA activity on the genes examined in adipose tissue, further
research in the area of adipose tissue biology is warranted. Overall, these findings
expand our understanding of the molecular responses induced by RE in skeletal muscle
and the associated health benefits that occur with chronic training, and provide initial
insight into adipose tissue biology following acute RE.
