Effects of Endurance Training on Metabolic Enzyme Activity and Transporter Proteins in Skeletal Muscle of Ovariectomized Mice.

Purpose: Estrogen deficiency or insufficiency can occur under several conditions, leading to negative health outcomes. To establish an effective countermeasure against estrogen loss, we investigated the effects of endurance training on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced metabolic disturbances.

Methods: Female Institute of Cancer Research mice underwent OVX or sham operations. On day 7 of recovery, the mice were randomized to remain either sedentary or undergo 5 wk of treadmill running (15-20 m·min -1 , 60 min, 5 d·wk -1 ). During week 5 of the training, all animals performed a treadmill running test (15 m·min -1 , 60 min).

Results: After the experimental period, OVX resulted in greater gains in body mass, fat mass, and triglyceride content in the gastrocnemius muscle. OVX enhanced phosphofructokinase activity in the plantaris muscle and decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity in the plantaris and soleus muscles. OVX decreased the protein content of NDUFB8, a mitochondrial respiratory chain subunit, but did not decrease other mitochondrial proteins or enzyme activities. Endurance training significantly enhanced mitochondrial enzyme activity and protein content in the skeletal muscles. Although OVX increased the respiratory exchange ratio during the treadmill running test, and postexercise blood lactate levels, endurance training normalized these parameters.

Conclusions: The present findings suggest that endurance training is a viable strategy to counteract the negative metabolic consequences in hypoestrogenism.