Low-magnitude vertical vibration enhances myotube formation in C2C12 myoblasts

J Appl Physiol (1985). 2010 Sep;109(3):840-8. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00115.2010. Epub 2010 Jul 15.

Abstract

Whole body vibration training is widely used in rehabilitation and sports activities to improve muscle strength, balance, and flexibility. However, the molecular mechanisms of vertical vibration (VV) training and their effect on the myogenesis of myoblasts remain undefined. This study was undertaken to address the hypothesis that VV can enhance the expression of ECM proteins and myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) in myoblasts and, in turn, increase myotube formation. Using real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence studies, we examined the effect of VV treatment with frequencies of 5, 8, or 10 Hz on the expression of ECM proteins and MRFs as well as myotube formation in C2C12 myoblasts. We showed that VV stimulation is safe and effective at stimulating myogenesis in C2C12 myoblasts. The levels of expression of the ECM proteins type I collagen and decorin were the highest after VV treatment at frequencies of 8 and 10 Hz. Expression of the MRFs MyoD and myogenin increased after VV stimulation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The total number of myotubes formed, as well as the length and the average area of myotubes, were substantially increased following VV treatment at frequencies of 8 to 10 Hz. In conclusion, VV treatment at frequencies of 8 to 10 Hz can stimulate the expression of ECM proteins and MRFs in myoblasts and, in turn, increase myotube formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Differentiation* / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation* / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival
  • Chromones / pharmacology
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Decorin / metabolism
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Mice
  • Morpholines / pharmacology
  • Muscle Development* / drug effects
  • Muscle Development* / genetics
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • MyoD Protein / metabolism
  • Myoblasts, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Myoblasts, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / genetics
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / metabolism*
  • Myogenin / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Time Factors
  • Vibration*

Substances

  • Chromones
  • Collagen Type I
  • Dcn protein, mouse
  • Decorin
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Morpholines
  • MyoD Protein
  • MyoD1 myogenic differentiation protein
  • Myog protein, mouse
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors
  • Myogenin
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one