PPARγ/Pgc-1α-Fndc5 pathway up-regulation in gastrocnemius and heart muscle of exercised, branched chain amino acid diet fed mice.

Background: Previous studies have revealed the inductive effect of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) catabolism on fatty acid oxidation and metabolism, especially in muscle cells. In the present investigation, we have attempted to address whether a combination of BCAAs supplement consumption with aerobic exercise could elaborate the expression of PPAR γ, Pgc-1α and Fndc5 genes in gastrocnemius muscle and heart tissue of male C57BL/6 mice.

Methods: Thirty-six young male mice with an average weight of 18 ± 2 g were selected. Mice were randomly assigned to 6 groups: 20 mg/mL of BCAAs consumption with simultaneous exercise-training, 60 mg/mL of BCAAs consumption with simultaneous exercise-training, exercise-trained with no BCAAs consumption group, 20 mg/mL BCAAs without exercise-training, 60 mg/mL BCAAs without exercise-training, and untrained mice without BCAAs consumption.

Results: The findings showed a combination of 20 mg/mL BCAAs with aerobic exercise significantly increased Fndc5 , PPARγ , Pgc-1α gene expression in skeletal muscles although, circulating Irisin levels remained unchanged ( p  < 0.05). Interestingly, plasma urea and lactate levels were significantly increased in 60 mg/mL BCAAs administrated mice which performed exercised ( p  < 0.05). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine significant difference between groups and sedentary group.

Conclusions: Results showed inductive effect of 20 mg/mL BCAAs on expression levels of Fndc5 , PPARγ , Pgc-1α in gastrocnemius muscle similar with counterparts in heart tissue. Of note, higher serum irisin levels were detected after 20 mg/mL BCAAs supplementation coincided with the exercise.

Graphical abstract: An Overview on supplemantaion of branched chain amoinoacids on metablism of skeletal muscle and heart.