The Response of inflammatory and hypertrophic markers to resistance exercise in male rats

Background and Mechanical tension induced by resistance exercise can stimulate tension-sensitive cytoskeletal proteins. Also, resistance exercise can induce inflammatory factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the changes of inflammatory and hypertrophic markers and their association with a single bout of resistance exercise in male rats. Twelve male Wistar rats, three months of age, were randomly assigned into control and experimental groups. Resistance exercise protocol (to climb up a one-meter ladder, 3 sets, 10 repetitions in each set, at 50%, 75% and 100% of their own body weight) was performed. The control group did not perform any exercise activity. Twelve hours after the last session of exercise, rats (both control and experimental) were anesthetized with a mixture of ketamine/xylazine. Blood samples were taken directly from the heart; their Soleus muscles were extracted. Vinculin levels in muscle tissue after homogenation and IL-17 levels in sera were measured using ELISA method. Creatine kinase levels were measured by enzymatic colorimetric methods. Independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used. A significance level of α= 0.05 was considered. There was no significant diferences between control and experimental groups in vinculin, IL-17 and creatine kinase levels (p>0.05). Nevertheless, there was a significant negative corrolation between vinculin and IL-17 (r=-0.93, p=0.01). A single bout of resistance training can lead to a change in vinculin, IL-17 and creatine kinase levels. Interaction between inflammatory and hypertrophic markers (especially vinculin and IL-17) probably has a role in adaptations induced by resistance training.