Deletion of CD73 increases exercise power in mice

Purinergic Signal. 2021 Sep;17(3):393-397. doi: 10.1007/s11302-021-09797-4. Epub 2021 Jul 3.

Abstract

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase or CD73 is the main source of extracellular adenosine involved in the activation of adenosine A2A receptors, responsible for the ergogenic effects of caffeine. We now investigated the role of CD73 in exercise by comparing female wild-type (WT) and CD73 knockout (KO) mice in a treadmill-graded test to evaluate running power, oxygen uptake (V̇O2), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) - the gold standards characterizing physical performance. Spontaneous locomotion in the open field and submaximal running power and V̇O2 in the treadmill were similar between CD73-KO and WT mice; V̇O2max also demonstrated equivalent aerobic power, but CD73-KO mice displayed a 43.7 ± 4.2% larger critical power (large effect size, P < 0.05) and 3.8 ± 0.4% increase of maximum RER (small effect size, P < 0.05). Thus, KO of CD73 was ergogenic; i.e., it increased physical performance.

Keywords: Adenosine; CD73; Fatigue; Respiratory exchange ratio; Running; V̇O2max.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 5'-Nucleotidase / deficiency*
  • 5'-Nucleotidase / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Exercise Test / methods*
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods*
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology*

Substances

  • 5'-Nucleotidase