Effects of long-term different physical activity training on human LHCN-M2 myoblast differentiaiton

Introduction: Contracting skeletal muscle releases different myokines that exert both local and endocrine positive metabolic effects (1). Besides, physical exercise seems to modulate skeletal muscle plasticity. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether different-type, long-term training might modulate myogenic differentiation using in vitro system. Methods: Human LHCN-M2 myoblasts (2) were exposed for 4 days to culture medium supplemented with low concentration of serum from n. 5 aerobic (Swimmers) or n. 5 anaerobic (Body Builders) male subjects trained for long-term (mean 5 years). Myogenic differentiation was assessed by calculating the fusion index (FI) number and by evaluating expression levels of MyoD and Myogenin using phase contrast microscopy and western blotting, respectively. Results: LHCN-M2 myoblasts treatment with aerobic sera induced about 1.2-fold increase in myotube formation (FI mean 72% vs 59%) to respect to anaerobic sera as well as increased ratio of myogenin/MyoD expression resulting of about 2-fold greater in cells treated with Swimmers to respect to Body Builders sera. Conclusion: Long-term aerobic training seems to enhance skeletal muscle differentiation at greater extent to respect to anaerobic exercise. References: 1. Pedersen BK., 2011 Brain Behav. Immun.; 25:811; 2. Zhu CH. et al, 2007 Aging Cell. 6:515 Acknowledgements: we thanks Dr Mouly V. for the gift of LHCN-M2 cells (Institut de Myologie-CNRS UMR 7000 Faculte´ de Medecine, Paris 6, France). Grants for this research were purchased from IRCCS SDN, Naples-Italy.