Differential Myokine Responses to Swimming: Highlighting Meteorin-like (Metrnl) as a Unique Marker of Adaptation

Abstract

Objective: We examined time-dependent changes in levels of Metrnl, IL-7, IL-8, and FSTL1 myokines in mouse gastrocnemius-soleus tissue and plasma samples in response to acute and long-term swimming exercises. Material and Method: Seventy 8–12-week-old adult male BALB/c mice were divided into control and exercise groups. The exercise group was subjected to either an acute or chronic exercise regime and examined at 0, 3, and 48 h. The acute exercise group completed a 30-min single swimming session. The chronic exercise group completed the 30-min swimming exercise every day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. Metrnl, IL-7, IL-8, and FSTL1 levels in the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle complex and plasma samples were measured using ELISA kits. Results: No changes were observed in the Metrnl, IL-7, IL-8, and FSTL1 levels in the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle complex following acute or 6 weeks of swimming exercise. IL-7, IL-8, and FSTL1 levels did not change in the plasma in response to the exercises. However, plasma Metrnl levels were higher at 3 h after 6 weeks of exercise compared to the control group or the 3-h sample of the acute exercise group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that unlike FSTL1, IL-7, and IL-8, only Metrnl may play a role in mediating adaptation to long-term exercise in mice.

Keywords

• Follistatin-like 1 protein
• interleukin-7
• interleukin-8
• meteorin-like protein
• swimming

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