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THE EFFECTS OF BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION ON MITOCHONDRIAL GENE EXPRESSION

Abstract

Samantha Richter, Jeremy Pearson, Lilly Cleveland, Tanner Reece, Trent Herda and Philip Gallagher

University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Blood flow restriction exercise has been shown to enhance mitochondrial adaptations; however, the mechanisms for this response are still unclear. PURPOSE: To determine the changes in expression for genes associated with mitochondrial turnover in skeletal muscle following blood flow restriction exercise. METHODS: 24 healthy, untrained college-aged (age = 21.3 ± 2.4) males (n = 12) and females (n = 11) were randomly assigned into either a low-intensity blood flow restriction group (i.e., 30% 1-repetition maximum, n=12, BFR) or a high-intensity group (i.e., 80% 1-repetition maximum, n=12, HI). All subjects completed leg extensions three times per week, for six weeks. Muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis were obtained prior to and following the exercise intervention. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed for OPA1, SIRT1, PINK1, and PGC-1ɑ, with B2M as the housekeeping gene. Gene expression data were normalized using the 2-ΔΔCt method and t-test assuming unequal variance. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in mean fold change of gene expression for OPA1 (BFR = -0.06; HI = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.09 ± 0.23), SIRT1 (BFR = 0.01; HI = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.03 ± 0.03), PINK1 (BFR = -0.15; HI = 0.13; 95% CI: -0.04 ± 0.32), and PGC-1ɑ (BFR = -0.08; HI = -0.11; 95% CI: -0.09 ± 0.02). CONCLUSION: Six weeks of blood flow restriction exercise did not alter the expression of the genes associated with mitochondrial turnover in previously untrained, college-aged males and females.

FUNDING: Partially supported by NSCA Graduate Research Grant – Master’s Level.

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