Transcriptional Pathways Associated with Skeletal Muscle Changes after Spinal Cord Injury and Treadmill Locomotor Training

BioMed Research International, 2015 · DOI: 10.1155/2015/387090 · Published: May 19, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Musculoskeletal Medicine

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries can lead to muscle loss, which affects health and rehabilitation. This study investigates how treadmill training can counteract this muscle loss by examining the molecular pathways involved. The researchers used a rat model of spinal cord injury and treadmill training, analyzing muscle tissue at different time points to see which genes and pathways were affected. The study found that protein breakdown and energy production pathways in muscles were disrupted after spinal cord injury, but treadmill training helped to restore these pathways. Specific molecular signals, like the BMP pathway, were activated by training.

Study Duration

14 days

Participants

36 adult female Sprague Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
SCI led to rapid muscle weight loss, which was significantly reversed by treadmill training.
2
Protein ubiquitination and mitochondrial function pathways were altered with SCI, but treadmill training corrected these changes.
3
The BMP pathway was differentially activated with early treadmill training, suggesting its role in muscle remodeling.

Research Summary

This study investigated the molecular pathways involved in muscle remodeling after spinal cord injury (SCI) and treadmill training using a rat model. The researchers found that SCI altered protein ubiquitination and mitochondrial function pathways, while treadmill training corrected these changes and activated the BMP pathway. Key muscle mass regulators and fatty acid metabolism players responded to SCI and training, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for muscle preservation and recovery after SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic targets

Identify potential therapeutic targets, such as Smad3, Bmpr2, and Fst, for muscle preservation or recovery in moderate SCI.

Rehabilitation strategies

Optimize rehabilitation strategies, like treadmill training, to counteract muscle wasting and promote muscle mass recovery after SCI.

Early intervention

Implement early interventions targeting mitochondrial function to improve muscle health and recovery in individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Protein expression and phosphorylation need further investigation.
2
The study focused on a rat model, which may not fully translate to human physiology.
3
Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of BMP signaling activation and TGF𝛽signaling on muscle regeneration.

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