Controlled Heat Stress Promotes Myofibrillogenesis during Myogenesis

Effects of chronic heat stress on Ca2+ homeostasis, apoptosis, and protein carbonylation profiles in the breast muscle of broilers

Heat stress (HS) largely impairs the quality of broiler breast meat through protein oxidative modification. This study aimed to investigate the carbonylation pattern of Ca2+ channels and apoptotic proteins in the breast muscle of heat-stressed broilers. A total of 144 twenty-eight-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into three treatment groups. The normal control (NC) group was kept at 22°C and provided with unlimited feed. The HS group was exposed to 32°C and provided with unlimited feed. The pair-fed (PF) group was kept at 22°C and given an amount of feed equivalent to that consumed by the HS group on the previous day. Results showed that broilers under HS conditions had a higher respiratory rate than those in NC and PF groups (P < 0.05). HS disrupted the morphology and structure of breast muscle fibers by decreasing the average diameters and average density of myofibers compared to the NC group (P < 0.05). HS increased the mean fluorescence intensity of the positive carbonyl signal in breast muscle compared with the NC group (P < 0.05). Besides, the pectoral Ca2+ concentration in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasm, and mitochondria was elevated by HS when compared with the NC group (P < 0.05). In comparison to the NC and PF groups, HS increased the apoptosis rate and caspase-3 activity in the breast muscle (P < 0.05). Furthermore, HS elevated the relative protein expressions of plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase, Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 1, and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium transport ATPase 1 compared to the NC group (P < 0.05). Higher relative protein expression of μ-calpain and lower relative protein expression of cytosolic cytochrome complex were found in the HS group than the NC group (P < 0.05). HS decreased the carbonylation levels of transient receptor potential canonical 1 and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor compared to the NC group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the carbonylation levels of cleaved caspase-3 and precursor caspase-9 were increased and decreased, respectively, by HS treatment compared to the NC group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, HS damages the myofiber based on Ca2+ dyshomeostasis and apoptosis, which are potentially associated with protein carbonylation. These results shed new light on the possible mechanism behind the development of poor meat quality in broilers due to HS.

Proteomic changes of the bovine blood plasma in response to heat stress in a tropically adapted cattle breed

Background

Identifying molecular mechanisms responsible for the response to heat stress is essential to increase production, reproduction, health, and welfare. This study aimed to identify early biological responses and potential biomarkers involved in the response to heat stress and animal's recovery in tropically adapted beef cattle through proteomic analysis of blood plasma.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from 14 Caracu males during the heat stress peak (HSP) and 16 h after it (heat stress recovery-HSR) assessed based on wet bulb globe temperature index and rectal temperature. Proteome was investigated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry from plasma samples, and the differentially regulated proteins were evaluated by functional enrichment analysis using DAVID tool. The protein-protein interaction network was evaluated by STRING tool.

Results

A total of 1,550 proteins were detected in both time points, of which 84 and 65 were downregulated and upregulated during HSR, respectively. Among the differentially regulated proteins with the highest absolute log-fold change values, those encoded by the GABBR1, EPHA2, DUSP5, MUC2, DGCR8, MAP2K7, ADRA1A, CXADR, TOPBP1, and NEB genes were highlighted as potential biomarkers because of their roles in response to heat stress. The functional enrichment analysis revealed that 65 Gene Ontology terms and 34 pathways were significant (P < 0.05). We highlighted those that could be associated with the response to heat stress, such as those related to the immune system, complement system, hemostasis, calcium, ECM-receptor interaction, and PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways. In addition, the protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed several complement and coagulation proteins and acute-phase proteins as important nodes based on their centrality and edges.

Conclusion

Identifying differentially regulated proteins and their relationship, as well as their roles in key pathways contribute to improve the knowledge of the mechanisms behind the response to heat stress in naturally adapted cattle breeds. In addition, proteins highlighted herein are potential biomarkers involved in the early response and recovery from heat stress in tropically adapted beef cattle.

Role of vitamin E on bovine skeletal-muscle-derived cells from Korean native cattle under heat treatment

Our study aimed to evaluate the dualistic effect of heat stress on muscle differentiation at different temperatures, and whether vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, could offset any negative effects, using bovine skeletal-muscle-derived cells (BSMCs) with myogenic properties. The BSMCs were extracted from the skeletal muscle of 30-mo-old Korean native cattle and subjected to myogenic differentiation under 3 heat exposure conditions: 37 °C (control; CON), 39 °C (mild heat stress; MHS), and 41 °C (severe heat stress; SHS) for 24 h with or without vitamin E treatment (NE or VE). After 24 h treatments, the cells were returned to 37 °C incubators and differentiated until day 6. On day 1, because of the heat exposure, the gene expression of MYOG was the highest in MHS (P = 0.047), suggesting a promotive effect of mild heat stress on myogenic differentiation, while on day 6, compared with CON and MHS, MYOD (P = 0.013) and MYOG (P = 0.029) were the lowest in SHS. Vitamin E treatment also lowered MYOG (P = 0.097), regardless of heat exposure. On day 1, HSPB1 (P = 0.001) and HSP70 (P < 0.001) were the highest in SHS, and an interaction between heat exposure and vitamin E treatment was found on day 6 (P < 0.027). BCL-2 was also the highest on day 1 in SHS (P = 0.05), and an interaction of heat exposure and vitamin E treatment was found on day 1 on BAX expression (P = 0.038). For antioxidant genes, SOD1 (P = 0.002) and GPX1 (P < 0.001) were affected by heat exposure, with the highest levels being observed in SHS, and on day 6, GPX1 was still the highest in SHS (P = 0.027). The fusion index was also affected by heat exposure, showing a decrease in SHS and an increase in MHS compared with CON (P < 0.001). Significant effects were noted from heat exposure (P < 0.001), vitamin E treatment (P < 0.001), and the interaction of heat exposure and vitamin E treatment (P = 0.002) on the protein content. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that vitamin E could ameliorate the harmful effects of heat exposure by modulating heat shock proteins and apoptosis regulators, improving the protein synthesis of BSMCs during myogenic differentiation. These results suggest that vitamin E supplementation could potentially protect muscle development in beef cattle under summer heat stress.

Culturing characteristics of Hanwoo myosatellite cells and C2C12 cells incubated at 37°C and 39°C for cultured meat

To improve culture efficiency of Hanwoo myosatellite cells, these cells were cultured at different temperatures. Hanwoo myosatellite cells were compared with C2C12 cells to observe proliferation and differentiation at culture temperatures of 37°C and 39°C and determine the possibility of using them as cultured meat. Immunofluorescence staining using Pax7 and Hoechst, both cells cultured at 37°C proliferated better than cultured at 39°C (p < 0.05). When differentiated cells were stained with myosin and Hoechst, there was no significant difference in myotube thickness and Fusion index (p > 0.05). In Western blotting analysis, Hanwoo myosatellite cells were no significant difference in the expression of myosin between cells differentiated at the two temperatures (p > 0.05). C2C12 cells were no significant difference in the expression of myosin between cells differentiated at the two temperatures (p > 0.05). In reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis, Hanwoo myosatellite cells cultured at 39°C had significantly (p < 0.05) higher expression levels of MyHC, MYF6, and MB than those cultured at 37°C. C2C12 cells cultured at 39°C showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher expression levels of MYOG and MB than those cultured at 37°C. To increase culture efficiency of Hanwoo myosatellite cells, proliferating at 37°C and differentiating at 39°C are appropriate. Since results of temperature differences of Hanwoo myosatellite cells were similar to those of C2C12 cells, they could be used as a reference for producing cultured meat using Hanwoo satellite cells.

The impact of heat therapy on neuromuscular function and muscle atrophy in diabetic rats

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the most common metabolic disease worldwide and is associated with many systemic complications. Muscle atrophy is one of the significant complications in DM patients, making routine tasks laborious as atrophy continues. It is known that heat stress stimulates heat shock proteins and other proteins that maintain muscle mass; however, it is not thoroughly studied in diabetic conditions. This study addressed whether heat therapy can attenuate muscle atrophy in STZ-induced diabetic rats and explored its mechanism of action on specific muscle proteins. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into short-term (3 weeks) and long-term (6 weeks) experiments. In each experiment rats were divided into control, heat therapy, diabetic and diabetic + heat therapy groups. Rats in heat therapy groups were exposed to heat therapy for 30 min daily for three or six weeks in a temperature-controlled (42°C) chamber. Results: The attenuation of neuromuscular functions assessed by Rotarod, Kondziella's inverted screen, and extensor postural thrust tests showed that diabetic rats exposed to heat therapy performed significantly better than diabetic controls. Muscle cross sectional area data established that heat therapy reduced muscle atrophy by 34.3% within 3 weeks and 44.1% within 6 weeks in the diabetic groups. Further, heat therapy significantly decreased muscle atrophy markers (CD68, KLF, and MAFbx) and significantly elevated muscle hypertrophy markers (AKT, mTOR, and HSP70). Conclusions: This study shows the relevance and clinical significance of utilizing heat therapy as a viable treatment to attenuate muscle atrophy in diabetic patients.

Synergistic stimulation of surface topography and biphasic electric current promotes muscle regeneration

Developing a universal culture platform that manipulates cell fate is one of the most important tasks in the investigation of the role of the cellular microenvironment. This study focuses on the application of topographical and electrical field stimuli to human myogenic precursor cell (hMPC) cultures to assess the influences of the adherent direction, proliferation, and differentiation, and induce preconditioning-induced therapeutic benefits. First, a topographical surface of commercially available culture dishes was achieved by femtosecond laser texturing. The detachable biphasic electrical current system was then applied to the hMPCs cultured on laser-textured culture dishes. Laser-textured topographies were remarkably effective in inducing the assembly of hMPC myotubes by enhancing the orientation of adherent hMPCs compared with flat surfaces. Furthermore, electrical field stimulation through laser-textured topographies was found to promote the expression of myogenic regulatory factors compared with nonstimulated cells. As such, we successfully demonstrated that the combined stimulation of topographical and electrical cues could effectively enhance the myogenic maturation of hMPCs in a surface spatial and electrical field-dependent manner, thus providing the basis for therapeutic strategies.

Neither Peristaltic Pulse Dynamic Compressions nor Heat Therapy Accelerate Glycogen Resynthesis after Intermittent Running

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of a single session of either peristaltic pulse dynamic leg compressions (PPDC) or local heat therapy (HT) after prolonged intermittent shuttle running on skeletal muscle glycogen content, muscle function, and the expression of factors involved in skeletal muscle remodeling.

METHODS

Twenty-six trained individuals were randomly allocated to either a PPDC (n = 13) or a HT (n = 13) group. After completing a 90-min session of intermittent shuttle running, participants consumed 0.3 g·kg-1 protein plus 1.0 g·kg-1 carbohydrate and received either PPDC or HT for 60 min in one randomly selected leg, while the opposite leg served as control. Muscle biopsies from both legs were obtained before and after exposure to the treatments. Muscle function and soreness were also evaluated before, immediately after, and 24 h after the exercise bout.

RESULTS

The changes in glycogen content were similar (P > 0.05) between the thigh exposed to PPDC and the control thigh ~90 min (Control: 14.9 ± 34.3 vs PPDC: 29.6 ± 34 mmol·kg-1 wet wt) and ~210 min (Control: 45.8 ± 40.7 vs PPDC: 52 ± 25.3 mmol·kg-1 wet wt) after the treatment. There were also no differences in the change in glycogen content between thighs ~90 min (Control: 35.9 ± 26.1 vs HT: 38.7 ± 21.3 mmol·kg-1 wet wt) and ~210 min (Control: 61.4 ± 50.6 vs HT: 63.4 ± 17.5 mmol·kg-1 wet wt) after local HT. The changes in peak torque and fatigue resistance of the knee extensors, muscle soreness, and the mRNA expression and protein abundance of select factors were also similar (P > 0.05) in both thighs, irrespective of the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

A single 1-h session of either PPDC or local HT does not accelerate glycogen resynthesis and the recovery of muscle function after prolonged intermittent shuttle running.

Mechanobiology-based physical therapy and rehabilitation after orthobiologic interventions: a narrative review

PURPOSE

This review aims to summarize the evidence for the role of mechanotherapies and rehabilitation in supporting the synergy between regeneration and repair after an orthobiologic intervention.

METHODS

A selective literature search was performed using Web of Science, OVID, and PubMed to review research articles that discuss the effects of combining mechanotherapy with various forms of regenerative medicine.

RESULTS

Various mechanotherapies can encourage the healing process for patients at different stages. Taping, bracing, cold water immersion, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy can be used throughout the duration of acute inflammatory response. The regulation of angiogenesis can be sustained with blood flow restriction and resistance training, whereas heat therapy and tissue loading during exercise are recommended in the remodeling phase.

CONCLUSION

Combining mechanotherapy with various forms of regenerative medicine has shown promise for improving treatment outcomes. However, further studies that reveal a greater volume of evidence are needed to support clinical decisions.

Effects of temperature on proliferation of myoblasts from donor piglets with different thermoregulatory maturities

Background

Climate change and the associated risk for the occurrence of extreme temperature events or permanent changes in ambient temperature are important in the husbandry of farm animals. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of permanent cultivation temperatures below (35 °C) and above (39 °C, 41 °C) the standard cultivation temperature (37 °C) on porcine muscle development. Therefore, we used our porcine primary muscle cell culture derived from satellite cells as an in vitro model. Neonatal piglets have limited thermoregulatory stability, and several days after birth are required to maintain their body temperature. To consider this developmental step, we used myoblasts originating from thermolabile (five days of age) and thermostable piglets (twenty days of age).

Results

The efficiency of myoblast proliferation using real-time monitoring via electrical impedance was comparable at all temperatures with no difference in the cell index, slope or doubling time. Both temperatures of 37 °C and 39 °C led to similar biochemical growth properties and cell viability. Only differences in the mRNA expression of myogenesis-associated genes were found at 39 °C compared to 37 °C with less MYF5, MYOD and MSTN and more MYH3 mRNA. Myoblasts grown at 35 °C are smaller, exhibit higher DNA synthesis and express higher amounts of the satellite cell marker PAX7, muscle growth inhibitor MSTN and metabolic coactivator PPARGC1A. Only permanent cultivation at 41 °C resulted in higher HSP expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Interactions between the temperature and donor age showed that MYOD, MYOG, MYH3 and SMPX mRNAs were temperature-dependently expressed in myoblasts of thermolabile but not thermostable piglets.

Conclusions

We conclude that 37 °C to 39 °C is the best physiological temperature range for adequate porcine myoblast development. Corresponding to the body temperatures of piglets, it is therefore possible to culture primary muscle cells at 39 °C. Only the highest temperature of 41 °C acts as a thermal stressor for myoblasts with increased HSP expression, but it also accelerates myogenic development. Cultivation at 35 °C, however, leads to less differentiated myoblasts with distinct thermogenetic activity. The adaptive behavior of derived primary muscle cells to different cultivation temperatures seems to be determined by the thermoregulatory stability of the donor piglets.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12860-021-00376-4.

Effects of passive heating intervention on muscle hypertrophy and neuromuscular function: A preliminary systematic review with meta-analysis

Passive heating has been therapeutically used to treat a range of health conditions. Further, this intervention presents as a potential exercise mimetic strategy showing acute and chronic effects on skeletal muscle adaptation and neuromuscular systems. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise the existing evidence on the effects of passive heating on muscle hypertrophy and neuromuscular function. Seven databases were searched (i.e., PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane, and SPORTDiscus) from 1937 to October 2019. Eligible studies included original papers using healthy animals or human samples (≥18 years; both sexes) that have used a control group or condition. Ten original articles were included in this review and four in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis detected an increase in muscle mass in animal samples seven days after passive heating (I² = 65%, P < 0.01). The systematic review showed preliminary evidence that repeated passive heating exposures may promote muscle hypertrophy in animals and humans. Moreover, augmented muscle strength (involuntary and voluntary) may be observed after long-term passive heating (animals and humans) and increases in corticospinal excitability in humans after a single passive heating session. Passive heating has shown some potential benefits for skeletal muscle mass gain and muscle force improvement. Therefore, it is plausible to suggest that passive heating might be a worthwhile alternative to be recommended as an exercise mimetic for those people who lack or are unable to complete sufficient exercise.

Combining cooling or heating applications with exercise training to enhance performance and muscle adaptations

Athletes use cold water immersion, cryotherapy chambers, or icing in the belief that these strategies improve postexercise recovery and promote greater adaptations to training. A number of studies have systematically investigated how regular cold water immersion influences long-term performance and muscle adaptations. The effects of regular cold water immersion after endurance or high-intensity interval training on aerobic capacity, lactate threshold, power output, and time trial performance are equivocal. Evidence for changes in angiogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle in response to regular cold water immersion is also mixed. More consistent evidence is available that regular cold water immersion after strength training attenuates gains in muscle mass and strength. These effects are attributable to reduced activation of satellite cells, ribosomal biogenesis, anabolic signaling, and muscle protein synthesis. Athletes use passive heating to warm up before competition or improve postexercise recovery. Emerging evidence indicates that regular exposure to ambient heat, wearing garments perfused with hot water, or microwave diathermy can mimic the effects of endurance training by stimulating angiogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle. Some passive heating applications may also mitigate muscle atrophy through their effects on mitochondrial biogenesis and muscle fiber hypertrophy. More research is needed to consolidate these findings, however. Future research in this field should focus on 1) the optimal modality, temperature, duration, and frequency of cooling and heating to enhance long-term performance and muscle adaptations and 2) whether molecular and morphological changes in muscle in response to cooling and heating applications translate to improvements in exercise performance.

Heat exposure impairs porcine oocyte quality with suppressed actin expression in cumulus cells and disrupted F-actin formation in transzonal projections

Background

Transzonal projections (TZPs) constitute a structural basis for the communication between the oocyte and its surrounding cumulus cells (CCs), which play critical roles in promoting the oocyte maturation. Previously we found that heat stress (HS) causes loss of TZPs in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) with decreased density of filamentous actin (F-actin). However, the time-course responses of F-actin and its monomeric actins (β-actin and γ-actin) during the in vitro maturation of oocytes remain unclear.

Results

In this study, excised porcine ovaries were exposed to HS at 41.5 °C for 1 h before COCs were isolated and matured in vitro for 44 h. HS significantly reduced oocyte quality, characterized by impaired cumulus expansion, delayed meiotic resumption and lower survival rate and polar body extrusion rate, as well as decreased expression of mitochondrial DNA-encoded genes and elevated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species concentration. Expression of β-actin and γ-actin in CCs increased gradually with oocytes maturation, which was significantly reduced in HS group, especially at 24 h and/or 44 h of in vitro maturation. By contrast, the number of TZPs and the fluorescence intensity of F-actin in zona pellucida decreased gradually during oocytes maturation, which were significantly reduced by HS at 24 h of in vitro maturation. Moreover, colocalization analyses revealed both β-actin and γ-actin contribute to the F-actin formation in porcine TZPs, and the colocalization of F-actin with GJ protein connexin 45 was significantly reduced in heat-exposed COCs.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the suppression of actin expressions in CCs, which may lead to the F-actin unstabilization in TZPs, will subsequently contribute to the compromised quality of oocytes under HS.

Expression and localization of heat-shock proteins during skeletal muscle cell proliferation and differentiation and the impact of heat stress

Skeletal myogenesis is a coordinated sequence of events associated with dramatic changes in cell morphology, motility, and metabolism, which causes cellular stress and alters proteostasis. Chaperones, such as heat-shock proteins (HSPs), play important roles in limiting cellular stresses and maintaining proteostasis, but whether HSPs are specifically involved in myogenesis is not well understood. Here, we characterized gene and protein expression and subcellular localization of various HSPs in proliferating C2C12 myoblasts and differentiating myotubes under control conditions and in response to heat stress. Hsp25, Hsp40, and Hsp60 protein expression declined by 48, 35, and 83%, respectively, during differentiation. In contrast, Hsp70 protein levels doubled during early differentiation. Hsp25 was predominantly localized to the cytoplasm of myoblasts and myotubes but formed distinct aggregates in perinuclear spaces of myoblasts after heat-shock. Hsp40 was distributed diffusely throughout the cytoplasm and nucleus and, after heat-shock, translocated to the nucleus of myoblasts but formed aggregates in myotubes. Hsp60 localized to the perinuclear space in myoblasts but was distributed more diffusely across the cytoplasm in myotubes. Hsp70 was expressed diffusely throughout the cytoplasm and nucleus and translocated to the nucleus after heat-shock in myoblasts, but not in myotubes. Hsp90 was expressed diffusely across the cytoplasm in both myoblasts and myotubes under control conditions and did not change in response to heat-shock. These findings reveal distinct and different roles for HSPs in the regulation of myogenic cell proliferation and differentiation.

Genome Sequence Analysis Reveals Selection Signatures in Endangered Trypanotolerant West African Muturu Cattle

Like most West African Bos taurus, the shorthorn Muturu is under threat of replacement or crossbreeding with zebu. Their populations are now reduced to a few hundred breeding individuals and they are considered endangered. So far, the genetic variation and genetic basis of the trypanotolerant Muturu environmental adaptation have not been assessed. Here, we present genome-wide candidate positive selection signatures in Muturu following within-population iHS and between population Rsb signatures of selection analysis. We compared the results in Muturu with the ones obtained in N’Dama, a West African longhorn trypanotolerant taurine, and in two European taurine (Holstein and Jersey). The results reveal candidate signatures of selection regions in Muturu including genes linked to the innate (e.g., TRIM10, TRIM15, TRIM40, and TRIM26) and the adaptive (e.g., JSP.1, BOLA-DQA2, BOLA-DQA5, BOLA-DRB3, and BLA-DQB) immune responses. The most significant regions are identified on BTA 23 at the bovine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (iHS analysis) and on BTA 12 at genes including a heat tolerance gene (INTS6) (Rsb analysis). Other candidate selected regions include genes related to growth traits/stature (e.g., GHR and GHRHR), coat color (e.g., MITF and KIT), feed efficiency (e.g., ZRANB3 and MAP3K5) and reproduction (e.g., RFX2, SRY, LAP3, and GPX5). Genes under common signatures of selection regions with N’Dama, including for adaptive immunity and heat tolerance, suggest shared mechanisms of adaptation to environmental challenges for these two West African taurine cattle. Interestingly, out of the 242,910 SNPs identified within the candidate selected regions in Muturu, 917 are missense SNPs (0.4%), with an unequal distribution across 273 genes. Fifteen genes including RBBP8, NID1, TEX15, LAMA3, TRIM40, and OR12D3 comprise 220 missense variants, each between 11 and 32. Our results, while providing insights into the candidate genes under selection in Muturu, are paving the way to the identification of genes and their polymorphisms linked to the unique tropical adaptive traits of the West Africa taurine, including trypanotolerance.

Heat therapy improves soleus muscle force in a model of ischemia-induced muscle damage

Leg muscle ischemia in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) leads to alterations in skeletal muscle morphology and reduced leg strength. We tested the hypothesis that exposure to heat therapy (HT) would improve skeletal muscle function in a mouse model of ischemia-induced muscle damage. Male 42-wk-old C57Bl/6 mice underwent ligation of the femoral artery and were randomly assigned to receive HT (immersion in a water bath at 37°C, 39°C, or 41°C for 30 min) or a control intervention for 3 wk. At the end of the treatment, the animals were anesthetized and the soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were harvested for the assessment of contractile function and examination of muscle morphology. A subset of animals was used to examine the impact of a single HT session on the expression of genes involved in myogenesis and the regulation of muscle mass. Relative soleus muscle mass was significantly higher in animals exposed to HT at 39°C compared with the control group (control: 0.36 ± 0.01 mg/g versus 39°C: 0.40 ± 0.01 mg/g, P = 0.024). Maximal absolute force of the soleus was also significantly higher in animals treated with HT at 37°C and 39°C (control: 274.7 ± 6.6 mN; 37°C: 300.1 ± 7.7 mN; 39°C: 299.5 ± 10 mN, P < 0.05). In the soleus, but not the EDL muscle, a single session of HT enhanced the mRNA expression of myogenic factors as well as of both positive and negative regulators of muscle mass. These findings suggest that the beneficial effects of HT are muscle specific and dependent on the treatment temperature in a model of PAD. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to comprehensively examine the impact of temperature and muscle fiber type composition on the adaptations to repeated heat stress in a model of ischemia-induced muscle damage. Exposure to heat therapy (HT) at 37°C and 39°C, but not at 41°C, improved force development of the isolated soleus muscle. These results suggest that HT may be a practical therapeutic tool to restore muscle mass and strength in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Muscle-Derived Stem Cell-Enriched Scaffolds Are Capable of Enhanced Healing of a Murine Volumetric Muscle Loss Defect

BACKGROUND

Volumetric muscle loss secondary to traumatic or surgical causes can lead to functional and aesthetic impairments. The authors hypothesize that an implantable muscle-derived stem cell-enriched collagen scaffold could significantly augment muscle regeneration in a murine model of volumetric muscle loss.

METHODS

Murine muscle-derived stem cells were isolated using a modified preplating technique and seeded onto type 1 collagen scaffolds to create the muscle-derived stem cell-enriched collagen scaffolds. Murine rectus femoris defects of 5 mm were created and randomized to one of three conditions (n = 6 per group): untreated controls, collagen scaffold only, and muscle-derived stem cell-enriched collagen scaffolds. In vivo muscle healing was quantified using micro-computed tomography. Muscle explants were analyzed using standard histology and whole-mount immunofluorescence at 8 weeks.

RESULTS

In vivo experiments demonstrated significantly greater quadriceps cross-sectional area in the muscle-derived stem cell-enriched collagen scaffold group compared with controls on micro-computed tomography (0.74 ± 0.21 versus 0.55 ± 0.06 versus 0.49 ± 0.04 ratio of experimental to naive quadriceps cross-sectional area; p < 0.05). Muscle explants of the muscle-derived stem cell-enriched collagen scaffold group demonstrated significantly higher cellular density compared with controls (1185 ± 360 versus 359 ± 62 versus 197 ± 68 nuclei/high-power field; p < 0.01). Immunofluorescence for laminin and myosin heavy chain confirmed formation of organized muscle fibers within the defect of the muscle-derived stem cell-enriched collagen scaffold group only. However, appreciable confocal colocalization of myosin heavy chain with green fluorescent protein expression was low.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that muscle-derived stem cell-enriched scaffolds significantly improved skeletal muscle regeneration in a murine muscle defect model. Based on the low fluorescent colocalization, host progenitor cells appear to contribute significantly to intradefect myogenesis, suggesting that deployment of a viable muscle-derived stem cell-enriched scaffold stimulates a regenerative mitogen response in native tissues.

Mild hypothermia affects the morphology and impairs glutamine-induced anabolic response in human primary myotubes

The specific impact of reduced temperature on skeletal muscle adaptation has been poorly investigated. Cold water immersion, one situation leading to decreased skeletal muscle temperature, is commonly proposed to reduce the perception of fatigue and muscle soreness after strenuous exercise. In contrast, it may impair long-term benefits of resistance exercise training on muscle strength and hypertrophy. To date, the physiological factors responsible for this blunted muscle adaptation remain unclear. Here, we used a cell culture model of human primary myotubes to specifically investigate the intrinsic behavior of muscle cells during mild hypothermia (MH). Newly formed myotubes were exposed to either 37°C or 32°C to evaluate the effect of MH on myotube size and morphology, protein synthesis, and anabolic signaling. We also compared the glutamine (GLUT)-induced hypertrophic response between myotubes incubated at 32°C or 37°C. We showed that 48 h exposure to MH altered the cellular morphology (greater myotube area, shorter myosegments, myotubes with irregular shape) and impaired GLUT-induced myotube hypertrophy. Moreover, MH specifically reduced protein synthesis at 8 h. This result may be explained by an altered regulation of ribosome biogenesis, as evidenced by a lower expression of 45S pre-ribosomal RNA and MYC protein, and a lower total RNA concentration. Furthermore, MH blunted GLUT-induced increase in protein synthesis at 8 h, a finding consistent with an impaired activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that MH impairs the morphology of human myotubes and alters the hypertrophic response to GLUT.

Turning Up the Heat: An Evaluation of the Evidence for Heating to Promote Exercise Recovery, Muscle Rehabilitation and Adaptation

Historically, heat has been used in various clinical and sports rehabilitation settings to treat soft tissue injuries. More recently, interest has emerged in using heat to pre-condition muscle against injury. The aim of this narrative review was to collate information on different types of heat therapy, explain the physiological rationale for heat therapy, and to summarise and evaluate the effects of heat therapy before, during and after muscle injury, immobilisation and strength training. Studies on skeletal muscle cells demonstrate that heat attenuates cellular damage and protein degradation (following in vitro challenges/insults to the cells). Heat also increases the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and upregulates the expression of genes involved in muscle growth and differentiation. In rats, applying heat before and after muscle injury or immobilisation typically reduces cellular damage and muscle atrophy, and promotes more rapid muscle growth/regeneration. In humans, some research has demonstrated benefits of microwave diathermy (and, to a lesser extent, hot water immersion) before exercise for restricting muscle soreness and restoring muscle function after exercise. By contrast, the benefits of applying heat to muscle after exercise are more variable. Animal studies reveal that applying heat during limb immobilisation attenuates muscle atrophy and oxidative stress. Heating muscle may also enhance the benefits of strength training for improving muscle mass in humans. Further research is needed to identify the most effective forms of heat therapy and to investigate the benefits of heat therapy for restricting muscle wasting in the elderly and those individuals recovering from serious injury or illness.

Heat acclimation increases inflammatory and apoptotic responses to subsequent LPS challenge in C2C12 myotubes

This work investigated the ability of a 6-day heat acclimation protocol to impart heat acclimation-mediated cross-tolerance (HACT) in C2C12 myotubes, as indicated by changes in inflammatory and apoptotic responses to subsequent lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Myotubes were incubated at 40 °C for 2 h/day over 6 days (HA) or maintained for 6 days at 37 °C (C). Following 24 h recovery, myotubes from each group received either no stimulation or 500 ng/ml LPS for 2 h (HA + LPS and C + LPS, respectively). Cell lysates were collected and analyzed for protein markers of the heat shock response, inflammation, and apoptosis. As compared to C, HA exhibited an elevated heat shock response [HSP70 (+ 99%); HSP60 (+ 216%); HSP32 (+ 40%); all p < 0.01] and reduced inflammatory and apoptotic signaling [p-NF-ĸB:NF-ĸB (- 99%%); p-JNK (- 49%); all p < 0.01]. When compared to C + LPS, HA + LPS also exhibited an elevated heat shock response [HSP70 (+ 68%); HSP60 (+ 32%); HSP32 (+ 38%); all p < 0.01]. However, inflammatory and apoptotic responses in HA + LPS were increased [p-IKBa:IKBa (+ 432%); p-NF-ĸB:NF-ĸB (+ 283%); caspase-8p18 (+ 53%); p-JNK (+ 41%); all p < 0.05]. This unanticipated finding may be due to increased TLR4-mediated signaling capacity in HA + LPS, as indicated by upregulation of TLR4 [(+ 24%); MyD88 (+ 308%); p-NIK (+ 199%); and p-IKKα/b (+ 81%); all p < 0.05]. Data suggest HA reduces inflammatory and apoptotic signaling in skeletal muscle cells that are maintained under basal conditions. However, HACT is selective and does not apply to TLR4 signaling in the present model.

Heat acclimation increases mitochondrial respiration capacity of C2C12 myotubes and protects against LPS-mediated energy deficit

This work investigated the effect of a 6-day heat acclimation (HA) protocol on myotube metabolic responses at baseline and in response to a subsequent lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. C2C12 myotubes were incubated for 2 h/day at 40 °C for 6 days (HA) or maintained at 37 °C (C). Following 24-h recovery, myotubes were challenged with 500 ng/ml LPS for 2 h, then collected for analysis of protein markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and macronutrient storage. Functional significance of these changes was confirmed with mitochondrial respiration and glycolytic measurements on a Seahorse XF-96 analyzer. HA stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis and increased indicators of mitochondrial content [SIRT1 (+ 62%); PGC-1α (+ 57%); NRF-1 (+ 40%); TFAM (+ 141%); CS (+ 25%); CytC (+ 38%); all p < 0.05]. Altered lipid biosynthesis enzymes [p-ACCa:ACC (+ 59%; p = 0.04) and FAS (- 86%; p < 0.01)] suggest fatty acid generation may have been downregulated, whereas increased GLUT4 (+ 69%; p < 0.01) and LDH-B (+ 366%; p < 0.01) suggest aerobic glycolytic capacity may have been improved. Mitochondrial biogenesis signaling in HA myotubes was suppressed by 500 ng/ml LPS (PGC-1α, NRF-1, TFAM; all p > 0.05) but increased LDH-B (+ 30%; p = 0.02) and CPT-1 (+ 55%; p < 0.01) suggesting improved catabolic function. Basal respiration was increased in HA myotubes (+ 8%; p < 0.01) and HA myotubes maintained elevated basal respiration during LPS challenge (+ 8%; p < 0.01). LPS reduced peak respiration in C myotubes (- 6%; p < 0.01) but did not impair peak respiration in HA myotubes (p > 0.05). Oxidative reliance was elevated in HA over that in control (+ 25%; p < 0.01) and in HA + LPS over C + LPS (+ 30%; p < 0.01). In summary, HA stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis in C2C12 myotubes. HA myotubes exhibited (1) elevated basal/peak mitochondrial respiration capacities; (2) greater oxidative reliance; and (3) protection against LPS-mediated respiration impairment. Collectively, these data suggest HA may improve aerobic metabolism in skeletal muscle and protect against LPS-mediated energy deficit.

Mild Hyperthermia-Induced Myogenic Differentiation in Skeletal Muscle Cells: Implications for Local Hyperthermic Therapy for Skeletal Muscle Injury

The percutaneous application of controlled temperature on damaged muscle is regarded as a prevalent remedy. However, specific mechanisms are not completely understood. Therefore, cellular behaviors of myoblasts were investigated under a physiological hyperthermic temperature. The myoblasts were cultured under no treatment (NT, 37°C, 24 h/day), intermittent heat treatment (IHT, 39°C, 2 h/day), and continuous heat treatment (CHT, 39°C, 24 h/day) during proliferation, migration, or myogenic differentiation. Although the effects of mild heat on migration were not observed, the proliferation was promoted by both IHT and CHT. The myogenic differentiation was also enhanced in a treatment time-dependent manner, as evidenced by an increase in myotube size and fusion index. The gene expressions of mitochondrial biogenesis (Pgc-1α, Nrf1, and Tfam), a subset of mitochondrial dynamics (Mfn1 and Drp1), and a myogenic regulatory factor (myogenin) were increased in a heat treatment time-dependent manner. Interestingly, the mild heat-induced myogenic differentiation and myogenin expression were retarded significantly in PGC-1α-targeted siRNA-transfected cells, suggesting that mild hyperthermia promotes myogenic differentiation via the modulation of PGC-1α. This study provides cellular evidence supporting that local hyperthermic treatment at 39°C is regarded as an effective therapeutic strategy to promote satellite cell activities in regenerating myofibers.