Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
exercise physiology faculty, shahid rajaee teacher training university, Tehran, Iran.
2
Exercise physiology, Shahid rajaee teacher training university, Tehran, Iran
3
Exercise physiology, shahid rajaee teacher training university, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background and Aim: Nowadays, increasing muscle mass and implementing methods to improve recovery after exercise have become particularly important. Resistance training plays a crucial role in muscle growth and hypertrophy. Consuming various supplements, such as whey protein, after resistance training can also aid this process. Among different factors, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has a structural role in regulation, cell differentiation, and hypertrophy. This factor can significantly contribute to hypertrophy through exercise and supplementation. Whey protein, when combined with resistance training, can enhance muscle protein synthesis, improve exercise performance, and aid recovery, especially in younger individuals. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of six weeks of resistance training combined with whey protein supplementation on S1P and muscle hypertrophy in the gastrocnemius muscle of young male Wistar rats.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 23 male Wistar rats, aged eight weeks and weighing between 250 to 270 grams, were randomly divided into four groups: exercise + supplement, resistance training, sham, and control. They underwent a six-week training protocol consisting of five sessions per week, with three sets of five repetitions. The exercise involved climbing a one-meter ladder while carrying weight attached to their tail. In the exercise + supplement group, a whey protein supplement solution was also administered via gavage. The expression of the S1P gene was measured using Real-Time PCR, and muscle hypertrophy was assessed using a specialized scale. Data analysis included Shapiro-Wilk tests, one-way ANOVA, and Scheffé post hoc tests at a significance level of P≤0.05. Additionally, Prism software was used to plot the graphs.
Results: This study showed that the level of S1P increased, and on average, the level of this gene was higher in the exercise + supplement group. However, to assess statistical significance, a significant increase in S1P gene expression (P=0.0001), muscle volume (P=0.016), and 1RM (P=0.0001) was observed between the exercise + supplement group and the exercise and sham groups. However, there was no significant difference in muscle volume increase between the exercise, sham exercise + supplement, and control groups (P=0.6).
Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the significant difference observed in the exercise + supplement group compared to the other groups may be due to the effect of resistance training combined with whey protein supplementation on the increased expression of S1P and activation of the MAPK pathway, leading to increased weight and 1RM in the gastrocnemius muscle of young male Wistar rats. Therefore, it can be concluded that resistance training combined with whey protein consumption may have a synergistic effect on this pathway.
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