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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 Aug;124(8):2329-2342.
doi: 10.1007/s00421-024-05446-x. Epub 2024 Mar 8.

Glucose ingestion before and after resistance training sessions does not augment ribosome biogenesis in healthy moderately trained young adults

Kristian Lian  1 , Daniel Hammarström  2 , Håvard Hamarsland  2 , Knut Sindre Mølmen  2 , Sara Christine Moen  2 , Stian Ellefsen  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Glucose ingestion before and after resistance training sessions does not augment ribosome biogenesis in healthy moderately trained young adults

Kristian Lian et al. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

Purpose: Resistance training-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy seems to depend on ribosome biogenesis and content. High glucose treatment may augment ribosome biogenesis through potentiating resistance training-induced adaptations. This was investigated with total RNA and ribosomal RNA abundances as main outcomes, with relevant transcriptional/translational regulators (c-Myc/UBF/rpS6) as a secondary outcome.

Methods: Sixteen healthy, moderately trained individuals [male/female, n = 9/7; age, 24.1 (3.3)] participated in a within-participant crossover trial with unilateral resistance training (leg press and knee extension, 3 sets of 10 repetitions maximum) and pre- and post-exercise ingestion of either glucose (3 × 30 g, 90 g total) or placebo supplements (Stevia rebaudiana, 3 × 0.3 g, 0.9 g total), together with protein (2 × 25 g, 50 g total), on alternating days for 12 days. Six morning resistance exercise sessions were conducted per condition, and the sessions were performed in an otherwise fasted state. Micro-biopsies were sampled from m. vastus lateralis before and after the intervention.

Results: Glucose ingestion did not have beneficial effects on resistance training-induced increases of ribosomal content (mean difference 7.6% [- 7.2, 24.9], p = 0.34; ribosomal RNA, 47S/18S/28S/5.8S/5S, range 7.6-37.9%, p = 0.40-0.98) or levels of relevant transcriptional or translational regulators (c-MYK/UBF/rpS6, p = 0.094-0.292). Of note, both baseline and trained state data of total RNA showed a linear relationship with UBF; a ∼14% increase in total RNA corresponded to 1 SD unit increase in UBF (p = 0.003).

Conclusion: Glucose ingestion before and after resistance training sessions did not augment ribosomal RNA accumulation during twelve days of heavy-load resistance training in moderately trained young adults.

Keywords: Glucose; Hypertrophy; Resistance training; Ribosome; Skeletal muscle.

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Conflict of interest statement

This study was financed through research funds from the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. The authors have no competing interests to declare, and researchers and associates participating in the study conduct received only a regular salary.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a An overview of the experimental design with 12 days of concomitant dietary intervention and resistance training (RT), preceded by 7 days involving familiarization. Between days -7 and -1, participants were familiarized to the RT exercises via 1RM leg press and knee extension testing, and to the strength tests via Humac Norm dynamometer (days − 7 and − 5). Before baseline testing, the participants were randomly allocated to exercise one leg with glucose (GLU) and the other with placebo (PLA), in a unilateral, alternating fashion. Further, non-dominant/dominant + GLU/PLA, and onset with GLU or PLA was also randomized, the figure illustrates an example where the participant was randomized to start RT with GLU. Biopsies were taken from m. vastus lateralis at baseline (Day 1 leg 1, Day 2 leg 2), and after five RT sessions (Day 11 leg 1, Day 12 leg 2). Blood for measuring plasma glucose and serum c-peptide was sampled at baseline (Day 1), and during post-testing (Day 11 leg 1, Day 12 leg 2), via finger draws and venous blood samples. Skeletal muscle strength was measured as peak torque in unilateral isometric and isokinetic (at 60 and 240 degrees per second) knee extension before, multiple times during, and after five and six sessions. b and c Changes in plasma glucose (b, mmol/L) and serum c-peptide levels (c, pmol/L). Glucose levels in blood were measured via finger draws 120 (− 120), 90 (− 90), and 30 min (− 30) before RT, immediately before RT (0), during RT (15), immediately after RT (30) and 2 h after RT (120). C-peptide levels were measured simultaneously to these finger draws, except for 90 min before and during RT. d) Changes in muscular strength measured as isometric and isokinetic peak torque (60 and 240 d/s) via Humac Norm Dynamometer, conducted at baseline (a: Day − 1), after two and four RT sessions (a: Day 4 and 8 leg 1, Day 5 and 9 leg 2), after five RT sessions/before the 6th session (Day 11 leg 1, Day 12 leg 2), as well as 30 min, 2 h and 23 h after the 6th RT session (a: Day 11/12 leg 1, Day 12/13 leg 2). The index was calculated by normalizing peak torque values to the highest peak torque value at each respective angular velocity, and then summarized and used in change score calculations. Values are presented as changes in estimated marginal means ± 95% confidence intervals (CI). *p < 0.05 between groups. Glucose n = 13, placebo n = 13
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Changes in total RNA and ribosomal RNA with Glucose and Placebo conditions. a Total RNA, b 47S pre-rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, 5.8S rRNA, 5S rRNA. Baseline = Day 1 leg 1/Day 2 leg 2, Post = Day 11 leg 1, Day 12 leg 2. Total RNA and rRNA were analysed in duplicates, with two duplicates per biopsy (two muscle tissue pieces per time point), and normalized to ng x mg wet muscle weight for total RNA and external reference gene (Lambda) for rRNA. Total RNA and rRNA changes were calculated as log-fold change score per mg wet muscle weight. Mean change scores of the duplicates were calculated and transformed to the log scale before modelling, then reverse-transformed for figure visualisation. Values are estimated marginal means fold change per leg per supplement ± 95% CI. Glucose n = 13, placebo n = 13
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Changes in c-Myc, UBF and RPS6 protein content from pre- to post-training in Placebo and Glucose conditions together with differences between conditions (second axis in (a). Representative western blots of the respective proteins are shown under each panel together with total protein stains in (b). Protein samples were analysed in two duplicates per biopsy per time point, loaded on separate gels in an inverted order as exemplified by the duplicates (1 and 2 in a and b). Values are estimated fold change per condition with 95% CI, Glucose n = 13 and placebo n = 13. A linear relationship was shown between total RNA (ng x mg) and UBF levels (SD units) while controlling for time. Total RNA was normalized by wet muscle weight, and UBF was normalized by a pooled sample used on each gel
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