The Acute Effects of Exercise and Temperature on Regional mtDNA

Mark L. McGlynn, Halee Schnitzler, Robert Shute, Brent Ruby and Dustin Slivka
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Mark L. McGlynn: School of Health and Kinesiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182, USA
Halee Schnitzler: School of Health and Kinesiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182, USA
Robert Shute: School of Health and Kinesiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182, USA
Brent Ruby: School of Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
Dustin Slivka: School of Health and Kinesiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-12

Abstract: A reduced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, the ratio of mitochondrial DNA to genomic DNA (mtDNA:gDNA), has been linked with dysfunctional mitochondria. Exercise can acutely induce mtDNA damage manifested as a reduced copy number. However, the influence of a paired (exercise and temperature) intervention on regional mtDNA (MINor Arc and MAJor Arc) are unknown. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the acute effects of exercise in cold (7 °C), room temperature (20 °C), and hot (33 °C) ambient temperatures, on regional mitochondrial copy number (MINcn and MAJcn). Thirty-four participants (24.4 ± 5.1 yrs, 87.1 ± 22.1 kg, 22.3 ± 8.5 %BF, and 3.20 ± 0.59 L·min ?1 VO 2 peak) cycled for 1 h (261.1 ± 22.1 W) in either 7 °C, 20 °C, or 33 °C ambient conditions. Muscle biopsy samples were collected from the vastus lateralis to determine mtDNA regional copy numbers via RT-qPCR. mtDNA is sensitive to the stressors of exercise post-exercise (MIN fold change, ?1.50 ± 0.11; MAJ fold change, ?1.70 ± 0.12) and 4-h post-exercise (MIN fold change, ?0.82 ± 0.13; MAJ fold change, ?1.54 ± 0.11). The MAJ Arc seems to be more sensitive to heat, showing a temperature-trend ( p = 0.056) for a reduced regional copy number ratio after exercise in the heat (fold change ?2.81 ± 0.11; p = 0.019). These results expand upon our current knowledge of the influence of temperature and exercise on the acute remodeling of regional mtDNA.

Keywords: mitochondria; thermoregulation; mtDNA; exercise; copy number; ambient temperature (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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