Muscle protein synthesis and gene expression during recovery from aerobic exercise in the fasted and fed states

The purpose of this investigation was to assess mixed-muscle fractional synthesis rate (FSR) and the expression of genes involved in skeletal muscle remodeling after aerobic exercise in the fasted and fed states. Eight recreationally active males (25 ± 1 yr; V̇_{O2 max}: 52 ± 2 ml·kg^-1·min^-1) performed 60-min of cycle ergometry at 72 ± 1% V̇_{O2 max} on two occasions in a counter-balanced design. Subjects ingested a noncaloric placebo (EX-FAST) or a beverage containing (per kg body wt): 5 kcal, 0.83 g carbohydrate, 0.37 g protein, and 0.03 g fat (EX-FED) immediately and 1 h after exercise. FSR was assessed at rest and following exercise with the use of a L-[ring ²H₅]-phenylalanine infusion combined with muscle biopsies at 2 and 6 h postexercise. mRNA expression was assessed at 2 and 6 h postexercise via real-time RT-PCR. FSR was higher (P < 0.05) after exercise in both EX-FAST (0.112 ± 0.010%·h^-1) and EX-FED (0.129 ± 0.014%·h^-1) compared with rest (0.071 ± 0.005%·h^-1). Feeding attenuated the mRNA expression (P < 0.05) of proteolytic factors MuRF-1 (6 h) and calpain-2 (2 and 6 h) postexercise but did not alter FOXO3A, calpain-1, caspase3, or myostatin mRNA expression compared with EX-FAST. Myogenic regulatory factor (MRF4) mRNA was also attenuated (P < 0.05) at 2 and 6 h postexercise in EX-FED compared with EX-FAST. These data demonstrate that a nonexhaustive bout of aerobic exercise stimulates skeletal muscle FSR in the fasted state and that feeding does not measurably enhance FSR between 2 and 6 h after aerobic exercise. Additionally, postexercise nutrient intake attenuates the expression of factors involved in the ubiquitin-proteosome and Ca²⁺-dependent protein degradation pathways. These data provide insight into the role of feeding on muscle protein metabolism during recovery from aerobic exercise.