Examination of the Myokine Response in Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women Following an Acute Bout of Moderate-Intensity Walking

Abstract

BackgroundIt is recommended that women accumulate 150-min of weekly moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) when pregnant. Engaging in regular physical activity (PA) confers many health benefits to both the mother and the fetus. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these health benefits are bestowed are not well understood. One potential factor that may be contributing to the observed benefits is myokines, which are small peptides secreted by skeletal muscles. In the non-pregnant population, myokines are believed to be involved in the molecular mechanisms resulting from PA. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the myokine profile of pregnant and non-pregnant women, after an acute bout of MPA.MethodsPregnant (n = 13) and non-pregnant (n = 17) women were recruited from the Ottawa region to undergo a treadmill walking session at moderate-intensity (40–60% heart rate reserve). Pre- and post-exercise serum samples were taken, and a set of 15 myokines were analyzed although only 10 were detected. IL-6 was analyzed using a high-sensitivity assay, while FGF21, EPO, BDNF, Fractalkine, IL-15, SPARC, FABP-3, FSTL-1, and oncostatin were analyzed using various multiplex assays.ResultsThe pregnant and non-pregnant groups did not differ in terms of age, height, non/pre-pregnancy weight, BMI, and resting heart rate. Baseline levels of EPO and oncostatin were higher in the pregnant group while FGF21 was higher in the non-pregnant group. Circulating levels of three myokines, FGF21, EPO, and IL-15 significantly increased in response to the acute exercise in the pregnant group. Non-pregnant women exhibited an increase in three myokines, FABP-3, FSTL-1, and oncostatin, while one myokine, EPO, decreased post-exercise. SPARC, fractalkine and BDNF were shown to increase post-exercise regardless of pregnancy status while the response for BDNF was more pronounced in the non-pregnant group.ConclusionThis is the first study examining myokine response following an acute bout of PA in pregnancy. Moderate intensity PA, which is recommended during pregnancy, elicited an increase in four myokines post-compared to pre-exercise in the pregnant group. Further research is warranted to understand the role of myokines in pregnancy.

Physical activity may be an adjuvant treatment option for substance use disorders during pregnancy: A scoping review

“…Finally, exercise‐induced molecular changes of neurotropic factors may be crucial in regulating brain function. Animal studies found elevation of increased BDNF levels in circulation as a result of exercise interventions (Duman, 2005), and similar findings have been shown in response to acute exercise during pregnancy (Hutchinson et al, 2019). BDNF has been thought of as a substitute reward for drug intake to modulate dopaminergic activity (Lynch, Peterson, Sanchez, Abel, & Smith, 2013).…”

“…It is posited that exercise increases serotonin, dopamine-response and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the brain, blood, and skeletal muscles (Pedersen, 2011;Pedersen & Saltin, 2015); the increase in these indicators has been linked to significant improvements in mental health outcomes (Lee et al, 2006;Lin & Kuo, 2013;Pedersen & Saltin, 2015). In particular, work from our group and others found an increase in BDNF levels following acute exercise in pregnant women (Hutchinson et al, 2019;Lin & Kuo, 2013). Prenatal exercise is positively correlated with improved mental health outcomes, including reducing depressive symptoms among women who are at risk for developing prenatal depression (Vargas-Terrones et al, 2020), and prevention of prenatal and postnatal mental depression and anxiety (Davenport et al, 2018).…”

Myokines in treatment-naïve patients with cancer-associated cachexia

“…It has been shown that FABP3 is part of the secretome of the soleus and gastrocnemius rat muscles [20]. Physical exercise is able to increase FABP3 circulating levels [21] and its mRNA in skeletal muscle [22]. Moreover, circulating levels of FABP3 have been inversely associated with skeletal muscle attenuation (or skeletal muscle density) in patients with pancreatic cancer and cachexia [23], but a direct correlation with cachexia is still missing.…”

Circulating small extracellular vesicles increase after an acute bout of moderate-intensity exercise in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women

“…Work from our lab has shown that the acute physiological response to exercise, relating to the release of soluble factors like cytokines into circulation, is different in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women 21 . It remains unknown whether acute prenatal exercise results in a change in the levels of circulating small EVs, and whether the response differs depending on pregnancy status.…”

“…It is thus posited that the major contributor accounting for this difference is the placenta, the critical organ of pregnancy 22 , 23 . Evidence supports the beneficial impact of both acute and chronic prenatal exercise on the placenta 21 , 24 – 30 ; however, the mechanisms are currently unknown. Small EVs are involved in maternal–fetal communication 23 , 31 , and therefore, warrant further investigation in the context of exercise during pregnancy.…”