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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2011; (38); 268-274; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00271.x

Alterations in mitochondrial respiratory function in response to endurance training and endurance racing.

Abstract: Limited information exists about the muscle mitochondrial respiratory function changes that occur in horses during an endurance season. Objective: To determine effects of training and racing on muscle oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and electron transport system (ETS) capacities in horses with high resolution respirometry (HRR). Methods: Mitochondrial respiration was measured in microbiopsies taken from the triceps brachii (tb) and gluteus medius (gm) muscles in 8 endurance horses (7 purebred Arabians and 1 crossbred Arabian) before training (T0), after two 10 week training periods (T1, T2) and after 2 CEI** endurance races (R1, R2). Muscle OXPHOS capacity was determined using 2 titration protocols without (SUIT 1) or with pyruvate (SUIT 2) as substrate. Electrons enter at the level of Complex I, Complex II or both complexes simultaneously (Complexes I+II). Muscle ETS capacity was obtained by uncoupling Complexes I+II sustained respiration. Results: T1 improved OXPHOS and ETS capacities in the tb as demonstrated by the significant increase of oxygen fluxes vs. T0 (Complex I: +67%; ETS: +37%). Training improved only OXPHOS in the gm (Complex I: +34%). Among horses that completed the race, a significant decrease in OXPHOS (Complex I: ∼ -35%) and ETS (-22%) capacities was found in the tb with SUIT 2 indicating a reduced aerobic glycolysis. Significant correlations between CK activities and changes in OXPHOS were found suggesting a relationship between exercise-induced muscle damage and depression of mitochondrial respiration. Conclusions: For the first time, OXPHOS and ETS capacities in equine muscle at different steps of an endurance season have been determined by HRR. Significant alterations in mitochondrial respiratory function in response to endurance training and endurance racing have been observed although these changes appeared to be muscle group specific.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-28 PubMed ID: 21059017DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00271.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates how endurance training and racing during a season affect muscle mitochondrial respiratory function in horses. The research found that these activities do significantly impact the capacity of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and the electron transport system (ETS), although the changes are specific to different muscle groups.

Methods

  • The experiment involved measuring mitochondrial respiration in the triceps brachii (tb) and gluteus medius (gm) muscles of 8 endurance horses, including 7 purebred Arabians and one Arabian crossbred.
  • The samples for this examination were collected before the training period (T0), after two sets of 10-week training (T1, T2), and following two CEI** endurance races (R1, R2).
  • The capacity of muscle OXPHOS was determined using two protocols of titration, one including pyruvate (SUIT 2) and one without (SUIT 1), serving as a substrate.
  • The electrons would enter either at the level of Complex I, Complex II, or both complexes simultaneously (Complexes I+II).
  • The capacity of the muscle ETS was calculated by uncoupling the sustained respiration of Complexes I+II.

Results

  • The training period, T1, greatly improved OXPHOS and ETS capacities in the tb, with oxygen fluxes significantly higher compared to T0 (+67% for Complex I and +37% for ETS).
  • Training improved only OXPHOS in the gm, showing a +34% increment for Complex I.
  • In horses that completed the race, a significant decrease in OXPHOS (approximately -35% in Complex I) and ETS (-22%) capacities was observed in the tb with SUIT 2, indicating a reduced aerobic glycolysis.
  • Significant correlations were found between CK activities and changes in OXPHOS, suggesting a tie between exercise-induced muscle damage and depression of mitochondrial respiration.

Conclusion

  • The study provided pioneering data on OXPHOS and ETS capacities in equine muscle at different stages of an endurance season using high-resolution respirometry (HRR).
  • The research found significant alterations in the mitochondrial respiratory function in response to endurance training and racing, although these changes were specific to different muscle groups.

Cite This Article

APA
Votion DM, Fraipont A, Goachet AG, Robert C, van Erck E, Amory H, Ceusters J, de la Rebière de Pouyade G, Franck T, Mouithys-Mickalad A, Niesten A, Serteyn D. (2011). Alterations in mitochondrial respiratory function in response to endurance training and endurance racing. Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 268-274. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00271.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 38
Pages: 268-274

Researcher Affiliations

Votion, D-M
  • Equine European Centre of Mont-le-Soie, Vielsalm, Belgium. dominique.votion@ulg.ac.be
Fraipont, A
    Goachet, A G
      Robert, C
        van Erck, E
          Amory, H
            Ceusters, J
              de la Rebière de Pouyade, G
                Franck, T
                  Mouithys-Mickalad, A
                    Niesten, A
                      Serteyn, D

                        MeSH Terms

                        • Animals
                        • Female
                        • Horses / physiology
                        • Male
                        • Mitochondria, Muscle / physiology
                        • Oxygen Consumption / physiology
                        • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
                        • Physical Endurance / physiology
                        • Sports

                        Citations

                        This article has been cited 18 times.
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