Work

Effects of Combined Exercise Training on Modulating Fine Particulate Matter–Induced Skeletal Muscle Damage in Offspring Gestationally Exposed

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Background Fine particulate matter has developmental toxicity, and midgestation is an important period for the development of foetal skeletal muscle. The ability of exercise to modulate skeletal muscle damage in mice exposed to PM 2.5 during gestation remains unclear. Methods Pregnant C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 50 μg/m 3 PM 2.5 for 2 h on five consecutive days starting at embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5d). Combined exercise (treadmill endurance training and weighted ladder resistance training) was followed for 8 weeks in the 4‐week‐old offspring to verify the regulatory effect of exercise. Results Offspring exposed to PM 2.5 during gestation showed lower body weight (male, −44.3%; female, −44.8%; p < 0.001), lower skeletal muscle mass (male: TA fibre size, −42%, p < 0.001; TA mass, −37%, p < 0.01; gastrocnemius mass, −46.5%, p < 0.001; female: TA fibre size, −51.6%, p < 0.001; TA mass, −29.8%, p < 0.05; gastrocnemius mass, −40.7%, p < 0.01) and mitochondrial (size decreased for TEM; male: PGC‐1α, +78.1%, p < 0.05; Tfam, +591.3%, p < 0.001; FIS‐1, +627%, p < 0.001; female: Tfam, +452%, p < 0.01; FIS‐1, +345.6%, p < 0.01) dysfunction (at 4 weeks old). They also showed catch‐up growth (between 3 and 8 weeks of age; male average weight gain level, +57.9%, p < 0.01; female average weight gain level, +66%, p < 0.05), although they still showed significant mitochondrial damage and impaired glucose metabolism (at 13 weeks of age; male: mitochondrial damage for TEM; Tfam, −46%, p < 0.01; PINK‐1, −33.8%, p < 0.05; Parkin, −62%, p < 0.01; PFK‐1, −17%, p < 0.05; female: mitochondrial damage for TEM; PFK‐1, −28.7%, p < 0.01). Combined exercise was unable to regulate the skeletal muscle system disorder that occurred in male offspring exposed to PM 2.5 during pregnancy. However, it activated the mitophagy (PINK‐1, +94.6%, p < 0.05; Parkin, +90.2%, p < 0.001) in female offspring exposed to PM 2.5 during pregnancy, thereby improving mitochondrial damage. Conclusions Combined exercise had bidirectional, sex‐specific effects: Male offspring exhibited reduced responsiveness to exercise, with persistent mitochondrial damage, whereas female offspring showed improved mitochondrial health through increased mitophagy flux.

Source: Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle

DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.70047

Authors: Zilin Wang, Wenduo Liu, Hyun‐Jaung Sim, Jeong‐Chae Lee, Sung‐Ho Kook, Sang Hyun Kim

Institution: Jeonbuk National University

Language: English

Topic: Air Quality and Health Impacts

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,400