Purinergic effects on Na,K-ATPase activity differ in rat and human skeletal muscle

Vanillin modulates activities linked to dysmetabolism in psoas muscle of diabetic rats

Skeletal muscles are important in glucose metabolism and are affected in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications. This study investigated the effect of vanillin on redox imbalance, cholinergic and purinergic dysfunction, and glucose-lipid dysmetabolism in muscles of rats with T2D. Male albino rats (Sprague-Dawley strain) were fed 10% fructose ad libitum for 2 weeks before intraperitoneally injecting them with 40 mg/kg streptozotocin to induce T2D. Low (150 mg/kg bodyweight (BW)) and high (300 mg/kg BW) doses of vanillin were orally administered to diabetic rats. Untreated diabetic rats and normal rats made up the diabetic control (DC) and normal control (NC) groups, respectively. The standard antidiabetic drug was metformin. The rats were humanely put to sleep after 5 weeks of treatment and their psoas muscles were harvested. There was suppression in the levels of glutathione, activities of SOD, catalase, ENTPDase, 5'Nucleotidase and glycogen levels on T2D induction. This was accompanied by concomitantly elevated levels of malondialdehyde, serum creatine kinase-MB, nitric oxide, acetylcholinesterase, ATPase, amylase, lipase, glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), fructose-1,6-biphophastase (FBPase) and glycogen phosphorylase activities. T2D induction further resulted in the inactivation of fatty acid biosynthesis, glycerolipid metabolism, fatty acid elongation in mitochondria and fatty acid metabolism pathways. There were close to normal and significant reversals in these activities and levels, with concomitant reactivation of the deactivated pathways following treatment with vanillin, which compared favorably with the standard drug (metformin). Vanillin also significantly increased muscle glucose uptake ex vivo. The results suggest the therapeutic effect of vanillin against muscle dysmetabolism in T2D as portrayed by its ability to mitigate redox imbalance, inflammation, cholinergic and purinergic dysfunctions, while modulating glucose-lipid metabolic switch and maintaining muscle histology.

Muscle Ionic Shifts During Exercise: Implications for Fatigue and Exercise Performance

Exercise causes major shifts in multiple ions (e.g., K⁺ , Na⁺ , H⁺ , lactate^- , Ca²⁺ , and Cl^- ) during muscle activity that contributes to development of muscle fatigue. Sarcolemmal processes can be impaired by the trans-sarcolemmal rundown of ion gradients for K⁺ , Na⁺ , and Ca²⁺ during fatiguing exercise, while changes in gradients for Cl^- and Cl^- conductance may exert either protective or detrimental effects on fatigue. Myocellular H⁺ accumulation may also contribute to fatigue development by lowering glycolytic rate and has been shown to act synergistically with inorganic phosphate (Pi) to compromise cross-bridge function. In addition, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ release function is severely affected by fatiguing exercise. Skeletal muscle has a multitude of ion transport systems that counter exercise-related ionic shifts of which the Na⁺ /K⁺ -ATPase is of major importance. Metabolic perturbations occurring during exercise can exacerbate trans-sarcolemmal ionic shifts, in particular for K⁺ and Cl^- , respectively via metabolic regulation of the ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel (K_ATP ) and the chloride channel isoform 1 (ClC-1). Ion transport systems are highly adaptable to exercise training resulting in an enhanced ability to counter ionic disturbances to delay fatigue and improve exercise performance. In this article, we discuss (i) the ionic shifts occurring during exercise, (ii) the role of ion transport systems in skeletal muscle for ionic regulation, (iii) how ionic disturbances affect sarcolemmal processes and muscle fatigue, (iv) how metabolic perturbations exacerbate ionic shifts during exercise, and (v) how pharmacological manipulation and exercise training regulate ion transport systems to influence exercise performance in humans. © 2021 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 11:1895-1959, 2021.

Muscle Glycogen Metabolism and High-Intensity Exercise Performance: A Narrative Review

Muscle glycogen is the main substrate during high-intensity exercise and large reductions can occur after relatively short durations. Moreover, muscle glycogen is stored heterogeneously and similarly displays a heterogeneous and fiber-type specific depletion pattern with utilization in both fast- and slow-twitch fibers during high-intensity exercise, with a higher degradation rate in the former. Thus, depletion of individual fast- and slow-twitch fibers has been demonstrated despite muscle glycogen at the whole-muscle level only being moderately lowered. In addition, muscle glycogen is stored in specific subcellular compartments, which have been demonstrated to be important for muscle function and should be considered as well as global muscle glycogen availability. In the present review, we discuss the importance of glycogen metabolism for single and intermittent bouts of high-intensity exercise and outline possible underlying mechanisms for a relationship between muscle glycogen and fatigue during these types of exercise. Traditionally this relationship has been attributed to a decreased ATP resynthesis rate due to inadequate substrate availability at the whole-muscle level, but emerging evidence points to a direct coupling between muscle glycogen and steps in the excitation-contraction coupling including altered muscle excitability and calcium kinetics.

Limitations in intense exercise performance of athletes - effect of speed endurance training on ion handling and fatigue development

Mechanisms underlying fatigue development and limitations for performance during intense exercise have been intensively studied during the past couple of decades. Fatigue development may involve several interacting factors and depends on type of exercise undertaken and training level of the individual. Intense exercise (½-6 min) causes major ionic perturbations (Ca²⁺ , Cl^- , H⁺ , K⁺ , lactate^- and Na⁺ ) that may reduce sarcolemmal excitability, Ca²⁺ release and force production of skeletal muscle. Maintenance of ion homeostasis is thus essential to sustain force production and power output during intense exercise. Regular speed endurance training (SET), i.e. exercise performed at intensities above that corresponding to maximum oxygen consumption (V̇O2, max ), enhances intense exercise performance. However, most of the studies that have provided mechanistic insight into the beneficial effects of SET have been conducted in untrained and recreationally active individuals, making extrapolation towards athletes' performance difficult. Nevertheless, recent studies indicate that only a few weeks of SET enhances intense exercise performance in highly trained individuals. In these studies, the enhanced performance was not associated with changes in V̇O2, max and muscle oxidative capacity, but rather with adaptations in muscle ion handling, including lowered interstitial concentrations of K⁺ during and in recovery from intense exercise, improved lactate^- -H⁺ transport and H⁺ regulation, and enhanced Ca²⁺ release function. The purpose of this Topical Review is to provide an overview of the effect of SET and to discuss potential mechanisms underlying enhancements in performance induced by SET in already well-trained individuals with special emphasis on ion handling in skeletal muscle.

β-Adrenergic modulation of skeletal muscle contraction: key role of excitation-contraction coupling

Our aim is to describe the acute effects of catecholamines/β-adrenergic agonists on contraction of non-fatigued skeletal muscle in animals and humans, and explain the mechanisms involved. Adrenaline/β-agonists (0.1-30 μm) generally augment peak force across animal species (positive inotropic effect) and abbreviate relaxation of slow-twitch muscles (positive lusitropic effect). A peak force reduction also occurs in slow-twitch muscles in some conditions. β2 -Adrenoceptor stimulation activates distinct cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases to phosphorylate multiple target proteins. β-Agonists modulate sarcolemmal processes (increased resting membrane potential and action potential amplitude) via enhanced Na(+) -K(+) pump and Na(+) -K(+) -2Cl(-) cotransporter function, but this does not increase force. Myofibrillar Ca(2+) sensitivity and maximum Ca(2+) -activated force are unchanged. All force potentiation involves amplified myoplasmic Ca(2+) transients consequent to increased Ca(2+) release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). This unequivocally requires phosphorylation of SR Ca(2+) release channels/ryanodine receptors (RyR1) which sensitize the Ca(2+) -induced Ca(2+) release mechanism. Enhanced trans-sarcolemmal Ca(2+) influx through phosphorylated voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels contributes to force potentiation in diaphragm and amphibian muscle, but not mammalian limb muscle. Phosphorylation of phospholamban increases SR Ca(2+) pump activity in slow-twitch fibres but does not augment force; this process accelerates relaxation and may depress force. Greater Ca(2+) loading of SR may assist force potentiation in fast-twitch muscle. Some human studies show no significant force potentiation which appears to be related to the β-agonist concentration used. Indeed high-dose β-agonists (∼0.1 μm) enhance SR Ca(2+) -release rates, maximum voluntary contraction strength and peak Wingate power in trained humans. The combined findings can explain how adrenaline/β-agonists influence muscle performance during exercise/stress in humans.

Na,K-ATPase regulation in skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle contains one of the largest and the most dynamic pools of Na,K-ATPase (NKA) in the body. Under resting conditions, NKA in skeletal muscle operates at only a fraction of maximal pumping capacity, but it can be markedly activated when demands for ion transport increase, such as during exercise or following food intake. Given the size, capacity, and dynamic range of the NKA pool in skeletal muscle, its tight regulation is essential to maintain whole body homeostasis as well as muscle function. To reconcile functional needs of systemic homeostasis with those of skeletal muscle, NKA is regulated in a coordinated manner by extrinsic stimuli, such as hormones and nerve-derived factors, as well as by local stimuli arising in skeletal muscle fibers, such as contractions and muscle energy status. These stimuli regulate NKA acutely by controlling its enzymatic activity and/or its distribution between the plasma membrane and the intracellular storage compartment. They also regulate NKA chronically by controlling NKA gene expression, thus determining total NKA content in skeletal muscle and its maximal pumping capacity. This review focuses on molecular mechanisms that underlie regulation of NKA in skeletal muscle by major extrinsic and local stimuli. Special emphasis is given to stimuli and mechanisms linking regulation of NKA and energy metabolism in skeletal muscle, such as insulin and the energy-sensing AMP-activated protein kinase. Finally, the recently uncovered roles for glutathionylation, nitric oxide, and extracellular K(+) in the regulation of NKA in skeletal muscle are highlighted.

Effect of formoterol, a long-acting β2-adrenergic agonist, on muscle strength and power output, metabolism, and fatigue during maximal sprinting in men

The aim was to investigate the effect of the long-acting β2-adrenergic agonist formoterol on muscle strength and power output, muscle metabolism, and phosphorylation of CaMKII Thr287 and FXYD1 during maximal sprinting. In a double-blind crossover study, 13 males [V̇o2 max: 45.0 ± 0.2 (means ± SE) ml·min−1·kg−1] performed a 30-s cycle ergometer sprint after inhalation of either 54 μg of formoterol (FOR) or placebo (PLA). Before and after the sprint, muscle biopsies were collected from vastus lateralis and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and contractile properties of quadriceps were measured. Oxygen uptake was measured during the sprint. During the sprint, peak power, mean power, and end power were 4.6 ± 0.8, 3.9 ± 1.1, and 9.5 ± 3.2% higher ( P < 0.05) in FOR than in PLA, respectively. Net rates of glycogenolysis and glycolysis were 45.7 ± 21.0 and 28.5 ± 13.4% higher ( P < 0.05) in FOR than in PLA, respectively, and the decrease in ATP content was lower ( P < 0.05) in FOR than in PLA (3.7 ± 1.5 vs. 8.0 ± 1.6 mmol/kg dry weight). There was no difference in breakdown of phosphocreatine and oxygen uptake between treatments. Before and after the sprint, MVC and peak twitch force were higher ( P < 0.05) in FOR than in PLA. No differences were observed in phosphorylation of CaMKII Thr287 and FXYD1 between treatments before the sprint, whereas phosphorylation of CaMKII Thr287 and FXYD1 was greater ( P < 0.05) in FOR than in PLA after the sprint. In conclusion, formoterol-induced enhancement in power output during maximal sprinting is associated with increased rates of glycogenolysis and glycolysis that may counteract development of fatigue.

Nitric oxide and Na,K-ATPase activity in rat skeletal muscle

AIM

It has been suggested that nitric oxide (NO) stimulates the Na,K-ATPase in cardiac myocytes. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate whether NO increases Na,K-ATPase activity in skeletal muscle and, if that is the case, to identify the underlying mechanism.

METHOD

The study used isolated rat muscle, muscle homogenates and purified membranes as model systems. Na,K-ATPase activity was quantified from phosphate release due to ATP hydrolysis.

RESULTS

Exposure to the NO donor spermine NONOate (10 μm) increased the maximal Na,K-ATPase activity by 27% in isolated glycolytic muscles, but had no effect in oxidative muscles. Spermine NONOate increased the maximal Na,K-ATPase activity by 58% (P < 0.05) in homogenates from glycolytic muscle, but had no effect in oxidative muscle. The stimulatory effect of NONOate was not related to one specific Na,K-ATPase α-isoform. Incubation with cGMP (1 mm) increased the maximal Na,K-ATPase activity in homogenates from glycolytic muscle by 16% (P < 0.05), but had no effect on homogenates from oxidative muscle. cGMP had no effect on phospholemman phosphorylation at serine 68. Spermine NONOate had no effect in muscle membranes in which the ATPase activity was depressed by oxidized glutathione.

CONCLUSION

NO and cGMP stimulate the Na,K-ATPase in glycolytic skeletal muscle. Direct S-nitrosylation and interference with S-glutathionylation seem to be excluded. In addition, phosphorylation of phospholemman at serine 68 is not involved. Most likely, the NO/cGMP/protein kinase G signalling pathway is involved.

The effect of exercise and beta2-adrenergic stimulation on glutathionylation and function of the Na,K-ATPase in human skeletal muscle

Potassium and sodium displacements across the skeletal muscle membrane during exercise may cause fatigue and are in part controlled by the Na,K-ATPase. Regulation of the Na,K-ATPase is therefore important for muscle functioning. We investigated the effect of oxidative stress (glutathionylation) on Na,K-ATPase activity. Ten male subjects performed three bouts of 4-min submaximal exercise followed by intense exercise to exhaustion with and without beta2-adrenergic stimulation with terbutaline. Muscle biopsies were obtained from m. vastus lateralis at rest (Control samples) and at exhaustion. In vitro glutathionylation reduced (P < 0.05) maximal Na,K-ATPase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Na,K-ATPase α subunits, purified by immunoprecipitation and tested by glutathione (GSH) antibodies, had a basal glutathionylation in Control samples and no further glutathionylation with exercise and beta2-adrenergic stimulation. Immunoprecipitation with an anti-GSH antibody and subsequent immunodetection with β1 antibodies showed approximately 20% glutathionylation in Control samples and further glutathionylation after exercise (to 32%) and beta2-adrenergic stimulation (to 38%, P < 0.05). Combining exercise and beta2-adrenergic stimulation raised the β1 glutathionylation to 45% (P < 0.05). In conclusion, both α and β1 subunits of the Na,K-ATPase were glutathionylated in Control samples, which indicates that the maximal Na,K-ATPase activity is overestimated if based on protein density only. β1 subunits are further glutathionylated by exercise and beta2-adrenergic stimulation. Our data suggest that glutathionylation contributes to the complex regulation of Na,K-ATPase function in human skeletal muscle. Glutathionylation of the Na,K-ATPase may explain reductions in maximal Na,K-ATPase activity after exercise, which may be involved in muscle fatigue.

β2-adrenergic stimulation enhances Ca2+ release and contractile properties of skeletal muscles, and counteracts exercise-induced reductions in Na+-K+-ATPase Vmax in trained men

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of β2-adrenergic stimulation on skeletal muscle contractile properties, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) rates of Ca(2+) release and uptake, and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity before and after fatiguing exercise in trained men. The study consisted of two experiments (EXP1, n = 10 males, EXP2, n = 20 males), where β2-adrenoceptor agonist (terbutaline) or placebo was randomly administered in double-blinded crossover designs. In EXP1, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) of m. quadriceps was measured, followed by exercise to fatigue at 120% of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2, max ). A muscle biopsy was taken after MVC (non-fatigue) and at time of fatigue. In EXP2, contractile properties of m. quadriceps were measured with electrical stimulations before (non-fatigue) and after two fatiguing 45 s sprints. Non-fatigued MVCs were 6 ± 3 and 6 ± 2% higher (P < 0.05) with terbutaline than placebo in EXP1 and EXP2, respectively. Furthermore, peak twitch force was 11 ± 7% higher (P < 0.01) with terbutaline than placebo at non-fatigue. After sprints, MVC declined (P < 0.05) to the same levels with terbutaline as placebo, whereas peak twitch force was lower (P < 0.05) and half-relaxation time was prolonged (P < 0.05) with terbutaline. Rates of SR Ca(2+) release and uptake at 400 nm [Ca(2+)] were 15 ± 5 and 14 ± 5% (P < 0.05) higher, respectively, with terbutaline than placebo at non-fatigue, but declined (P < 0.05) to similar levels at time of fatigue. Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was unaffected by terbutaline compared with placebo at non-fatigue, but terbutaline counteracted exercise-induced reductions in maximum rate of activity (Vmax) at time of fatigue. In conclusion, increased contractile force induced by β2-adrenergic stimulation is associated with enhanced rate of Ca(2+) release in humans. While β2-adrenergic stimulation elicits positive inotropic and lusitropic effects on non-fatigued m. quadriceps, these effects are blunted when muscles fatigue.

Oxidative stress (glutathionylation) and Na,K-ATPase activity in rat skeletal muscle

Background

Changes in ion distribution across skeletal muscle membranes during muscle activity affect excitability and may impair force development. These changes are counteracted by the Na,K-ATPase. Regulation of the Na,K-ATPase is therefore important for skeletal muscle function. The present study investigated the presence of oxidative stress (glutathionylation) on the Na,K-ATPase in rat skeletal muscle membranes.

Results

Immunoprecipitation with an anti-glutathione antibody and subsequent immunodetection of Na,K-ATPase protein subunits demonstrated 9.0±1.3% and 4.1±1.0% glutathionylation of the α isoforms in oxidative and glycolytic skeletal muscle, respectively. In oxidative muscle, 20.0±6.1% of the β1 units were glutathionylated, whereas 14.8±2.8% of the β2-subunits appear to be glutathionylated in glycolytic muscle. Treatment with the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT, 1 mM) increased the in vitro maximal Na,K-ATPase activity by 19% (P<0.05) in membranes from glycolytic muscle. Oxidized glutathione (GSSG, 0–10 mM) increased the in vitro glutathionylation level detected with antibodies, and decreased the in vitro maximal Na,K-ATPase activity in a dose-dependent manner, and with a larger effect in oxidative compared to glycolytic skeletal muscle.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the existence of basal glutathionylation of both the α and the β units of rat skeletal muscle Na,K-ATPase. In addition, the study suggests a negative correlation between glutathionylation levels and maximal Na,K-ATPase activity.

Perspective

Glutathionylation likely contributes to the complex regulation of Na,K-ATPase function in skeletal muscle. Especially, glutathionylation induced by oxidative stress may have a role in Na,K-ATPase regulation during prolonged muscle activity.