TY - JOUR
T1 - Losartan has no additive effect on the response to heavy resistance exercise in human elderly skeletal muscle
AU - Heisterberg, Mette F
AU - Andersen, Jesper Løvind
AU - Schjerling, Peter
AU - Lund, Alberte
AU - Dalskov, Simone
AU - Overgård Jønsson, Anders
AU - Warming, Nichlas
AU - Fogelstrøm, Mathilde
AU - Kjaer, Michael
AU - Mackey, Abigail Louise
N1 - doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00106.2018
PY - 2018/11
Y1 - 2018/11
N2 - Our purpose here was to investigate the potential of blocking the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) on the hypertrophy response of elderly human skeletal muscle to 4 mo of heavy-resistance exercise training. Fifty-eight healthy elderly men (65 yr) were randomized into three groups, consuming either AT1R blocker (losartan, 100 mg/day) or placebo for 4 mo. Two groups performed resistance training (RT) and were treated with either losartan or placebo, and one group did not train but was treated with losartan. Quadriceps muscle biopsies, MR scans, and strength tests were performed at baseline and after 8 and 16 wk. Biopsies were sectioned for immunohistochemistry to determine the number of satellite cells, capillaries, fiber type distribution, and fiber area. Gene expression levels of myostatin, connective tissue, and myogenic signaling pathways were determined by real-time RT-PCR. Four months of heavy-resistance training led in both training groups to expected improvements in quadriceps (3– 4%) and vastus lateralis (5– 6%), cross-sectional area, and type II fiber area (10 –18%), as well as dynamic (13%) and isometric (19%) quadriceps peak force, but with absolutely no effect of losartan on these outcomes. Furthermore, no changes were seen in satellite cell number with training, and most gene targets failed to show any changes induced by training or losartan treatment. We conclude that there does not appear to be any effect of AT1R blocking in elderly men during 4 mo of resistance training. Therefore, we do not find any support for using AT1R blockers for promoting muscle adaptation to training in humans. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Animal studies have suggested that blocking angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) enhances muscle regeneration and prevents disuse atrophy, but studies in humans are limited. Focusing on hypertrophy, satellite cells, and gene expression, we found that AT1R blocking did not result in any greater responses with 4 mo of resistance training. These results do not support previous findings and question the value of blocking AT1R in the context of preserving aging human muscle.
AB - Our purpose here was to investigate the potential of blocking the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) on the hypertrophy response of elderly human skeletal muscle to 4 mo of heavy-resistance exercise training. Fifty-eight healthy elderly men (65 yr) were randomized into three groups, consuming either AT1R blocker (losartan, 100 mg/day) or placebo for 4 mo. Two groups performed resistance training (RT) and were treated with either losartan or placebo, and one group did not train but was treated with losartan. Quadriceps muscle biopsies, MR scans, and strength tests were performed at baseline and after 8 and 16 wk. Biopsies were sectioned for immunohistochemistry to determine the number of satellite cells, capillaries, fiber type distribution, and fiber area. Gene expression levels of myostatin, connective tissue, and myogenic signaling pathways were determined by real-time RT-PCR. Four months of heavy-resistance training led in both training groups to expected improvements in quadriceps (3– 4%) and vastus lateralis (5– 6%), cross-sectional area, and type II fiber area (10 –18%), as well as dynamic (13%) and isometric (19%) quadriceps peak force, but with absolutely no effect of losartan on these outcomes. Furthermore, no changes were seen in satellite cell number with training, and most gene targets failed to show any changes induced by training or losartan treatment. We conclude that there does not appear to be any effect of AT1R blocking in elderly men during 4 mo of resistance training. Therefore, we do not find any support for using AT1R blockers for promoting muscle adaptation to training in humans. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Animal studies have suggested that blocking angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) enhances muscle regeneration and prevents disuse atrophy, but studies in humans are limited. Focusing on hypertrophy, satellite cells, and gene expression, we found that AT1R blocking did not result in any greater responses with 4 mo of resistance training. These results do not support previous findings and question the value of blocking AT1R in the context of preserving aging human muscle.
KW - Hypertrophy
KW - Muscle biopsy
KW - Muscle strength
KW - Satellite cells
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85057424877&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1152/japplphysiol.00106.2018
DO - 10.1152/japplphysiol.00106.2018
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 30091666
SN - 8750-7587
VL - 125
SP - 1536
EP - 1554
JO - Journal of Applied Physiology
JF - Journal of Applied Physiology
IS - 5
ER -