Episodic Binge-like Ethanol Reduces Skeletal Muscle Strength Associated with Atrophy, Fibrosis, and Inflammation in Young Rats

Abstract

Binge Drinking (BD) corresponds to episodes of ingestion of large amounts of ethanol in a short time, typically ≤2 h. BD occurs across all populations, but young and sports-related people are especially vulnerable. However, the short- and long-term effects of episodic BD on skeletal muscle function have been poorly explored. Young rats were randomized into two groups: control and episodic Binge-Like ethanol protocol (BEP) (ethanol 3 g/kg IP, 4 episodes of 2-days ON-2-days OFF paradigm). Muscle function was evaluated two weeks after the last BEP episode. We found that rats exposed to BEP presented decreased muscle strength and increased fatigability, compared with control animals. Furthermore, we observed that skeletal muscle from rats exposed to BEP presented muscle atrophy, evidenced by reduced fiber size and increased expression of atrophic genes. We also observed that BEP induced fibrotic and inflammation markers, accompanied by mislocalization of nNOSµ and high levels of protein nitration. Our findings suggest that episodic binge-like ethanol exposure alters contractile capacity and increases fatigue by mechanisms involving atrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation, which remain for at least two weeks after ethanol clearance. These pathological features are common to several neuromuscular diseases and might affect muscle performance and health in the long term.

Satellite Cell‐Derived Exosomes: A Novel Approach to Alleviate Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Fibrosis

“…[ 19 ] Reducing skeletal muscle atrophy and fibrosis is the treatment goal of muscle injury; simultaneously, controlling inflammation has many benefits. [ 20 ] To investigate the potential of MuSC‐Exo in reducing skeletal atrophy and fibrosis, we concentrated MuSC for subsequent exosome isolation. The expression of CD9, CD63, and TSG101 proteins initially characterized the exosomes.…”

Role of nutrition in patients with coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sarcopenia

“…Although there is evidence that patients with COPD seemingly have a higher alcohol intake ( 76 ), the study population was from regions at high latitudes, and the findings of this study cannot be extrapolated with certainty to patients globally. Even in young individuals, repeated occasional high alcohol intake can lead to increased levels of protein nitration, elevated levels of oxidative damage to nucleic acids, smaller muscle fiber size, and increased profibrotic factors, all of which eventually lead to decreased muscle strength ( 77 ). Therefore, for patients with coexisting COPD and sarcopenia, it is advisable to refrain from alcohol entirely.…”

Alcohol Impairs Bioenergetics and Differentiation Capacity of Myoblasts from Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Female Macaques

“…Although SKM has emerged as a key tissue impacted by alcohol use [9,[13][14][15], the underlying mechanisms of alcohol-associated myopathy and whether these differ among PWH remain to be completely elucidated. Muscle precursor cells (myoblasts) are critical for the maintenance and regeneration of muscle mass [16,17], and their bioenergetic state supports their myogenic progression [18][19][20].…”