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Desmin increases with high‐intensity concentric contractions in humans
Author(s) -
Woolstenhulme Mandy T.,
Jutte Lisa S.,
Drummond Micah J.,
Parcell Allen C.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.20170
Subject(s) - desmin , concentric , sprint , medicine , endocrinology , actin , biology , anatomy , physical therapy , microbiology and biotechnology , immunohistochemistry , mathematics , vimentin , geometry
To investigate the role desmin may play in muscular adaptation to exercise, we measured desmin protein content in the vastus lateralis muscle of seven untrained men in response to 8 weeks of high‐intensity cycle training. Training involved 15‐s sprints separated by rest for 5 min. Subjects began with four sprints twice per week, and progressed to six sprints three times per week. Peak power was measured before and after training with a 30‐s maximal sprint test. Mean power during the first 15 s increased significantly after training ( P < 0.05). Desmin and actin protein levels were determined by immunoblotting, from pretraining and posttraining muscle biopsies. Desmin protein levels were increased by 60% after training ( P < 0.01), whereas actin protein levels did not change with training. We conclude that the cytoskeletal protein desmin increases in response to a high‐tension, concentric‐only load consequent to sprint training. Desmin appears to increase as the force generating capacity of the muscle increases. A reinforced desmin cytoskeleton may be necessary for increased force generation by the muscle. Muscle Nerve, 2004