Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human skeletal muscle in response to short-term one-legged exercise training

Pflugers Arch. 2002 Sep;444(6):752-9. doi: 10.1007/s00424-002-0845-6. Epub 2002 Aug 1.

Abstract

The effects of short-term exercise training on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and one of its regulatory transcription factors, the hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) subunit, were studied in eight healthy males. Muscle and blood samples were obtained before the 1st, and 24 h after the 7th training session. VEGF and HIF-1 mRNA were analysed using RT-PCR, VEGF mRNA localization with in situ hybridization and VEGF protein with ELISA. Concurrent increases in VEGF mRNA and protein levels were observed in skeletal muscle, and the mRNA was expressed within the skeletal muscle fibres and in cells in the interstitium. These data support the idea of a pretranslational regulation of exercise-induced changes in VEGF mRNA, and indicate that increased VEGF protein expression is an early event in skeletal muscle adaptation to training. Furthermore, different cell types may act as sources for the production of angiogenic factors in response to exercise. The levels of HIF-1 mRNA subunits did not change, suggesting no change in HIF-1 mRNA transcript levels in the regulation of training-induced VEGF expression. In contrast to increased tissue VEGF expression, the arterial and femoral venous plasma levels of VEGF were decreased by training, which may indicate an exercise-induced enhancement of the peripheral uptake of VEGF.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Citrate (si)-Synthase / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / blood
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics*
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Gene Expression / physiology
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / blood
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Leg / physiology
  • Lymphokines / blood
  • Lymphokines / genetics*
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Oxygen / blood
  • Partial Pressure
  • Perception / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Veins

Substances

  • ARNT protein, human
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lymphokines
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon
  • Transcription Factors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator
  • Citrate (si)-Synthase
  • Oxygen