Effect of progressive resistance exercise on β1 integrin and vinculin protein levels in slow-and fast-twitch skeletal muscles of male rats

Introduction: Skeletal muscle is a flexible and ever changing tissue and the role of costameric proteins in its response to different stimuli is not well defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of progressive resistance exercise on β1 integrin and vinculin proteins in fast and slow twitch skeletal muscles of male rats. Methods: Twelve male Wistar rats (weight: 298±5.2 gr age: 3 months) were randomly assigned into trained (n=6) and control (n=6) groups after a period of two weeks of inhabitation. In the beginning of the third week, progressiveresistance exercise protocol (to climb up of one meter ladder, 3 sets, 10 repetitions in each set, at 50%, 75%, and 100% of their own body weight) was performed. The control group did not perform any exercise activity. Twelve hours after the last session of acute exercise, rats (control and trained) were sacrificed and their slow-and fast-twitch muscles) Soleus and Flexor hallucis longus) were collected. An ELISA assay was used to determine alterations occurred in the levels of β1 integrin and vinculin proteins. Statistical analyses were made with independent t tests. Results: The results showed that there was no significant change in β1 integrin levels of fast-twitch muscle and vinculin levels of slow-and fast-twitch muscles (p≥0.05). However, a significant change was detected in β1 integrin level in the slow-twitch muscle (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Since that costameric proteins contribute to the maintenance of the structure and stability of muscles and also have a role in the cell signaling, therefore, resistance exercise can be an effective stimulus in improving slowtwitch muscles for stabilization of the muscle structure.