Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is associated with human muscle satellite cell differentiation in response to muscle-damaging exercise

Abstract

Muscle satellite cell (SC) regulation is a complex process involving many key signalling molecules. Recently, the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) has implicated in SC regulation in animals. To date, little is known regarding the role of BDNF in human SC function in vivo. Twenty-nine males (age, 21 ± 0.5 years) participated in the study. Muscle biopsies from the thigh were obtained prior to a bout of 300 maximal eccentric contractions (Pre), and at 6 h, 24 h, 72 h, and 96 h postexercise. BDNF was not detected in any quiescent (Pax7+/MyoD−) SCs across the time-course. BDNF colocalized to 39% ± 5% of proliferating (Pax7+/MyoD+) cells at Pre, which increased to 84% ± 3% by 96 h (P < 0.05). BDNF was only detected in 13% ± 5% of differentiating (Pax7−/MyoD+) cells at Pre, which increased to 67% ± 4% by 96 h (P < 0.05). The number of myogenin+ cells increased 95% from Pre (1.6 ± 0.2 cells/100 myofibres (MF)) at 24 h (3.1 ± 0.3 cells/100 MF) and remained elevated until 96 h (cells/100 MF), P < 0.05. The proportion of BDNF+/myogenin+ cells was 26% ± 0.3% at Pre, peaking at 24 h (49% ± 3%, P < 0.05) and remained elevated at 96 h (P < 0.05). These data are the first to demonstrate an association between SC proliferation and differentiation and BDNF expression in humans in vivo, with BDNF colocalization to SCs increasing during the later stages of proliferation and early differentiation. Novelty BDNF is associated with SC response to muscle injury. BDNF was not detected in nonactivated (quiescent) SCs. BDNF is associated with late proliferation and early differentiation of SCs in vivo in humans.

Sixty days of head-down tilt bed rest with or without artificial gravity do not affect the neuromuscular secretome

“…In line with these rodent studies, the bed-rest-induced increase in BDNF in old, but not young people, was suggested to be a neuroprotective response [29,30]. In addition to neuroprotection, the concomitant increase in circulating BDNF after muscle-damaging exercise and satellite cell activation [31] suggests that BDNF also facilitates muscle recovery from damage. Although no significant change in BDNF has been observed in young participants after 14 days of bed rest [29,30], it is possible that bed-rest-induced decrements in BDNF occur later in younger than older people and can be prevented by human centrifugation.…”

The BDNF-Increasing Allele is Associated With Increased Proportion of Fast-Twitch Muscle Fibers, Handgrip Strength, and Power Athlete Status

“…Although these studies have been carried out with animals, these data correlate well with human muscle physiology (25,39).…”

Myokines and Resistance Training: A Narrative Review

“…BDNF also has important influence on other tissues. It is engaged in the endogenous reparation of myocardial and skeletal muscle cells [ 89 , 90 ]. BDNF activity is also negatively correlated with insulin resistance, obesity and blood glucose levels [ 91 , 92 ].…”