Depletion of muscle glycogen is an accurate marker of the onset of exhaustion in aerobic physical exercise. Glycogen synthase (GS) catalyses the processes of addition of α-1,4 glucose units to the growing glycogen molecule. The type and utilisation of energy substrates used by muscles depend on the hormonal status and physical activity. There is a lack of data about the influence of androgens through their androgen receptor (АR) on glycogen content and GS in aerobic exercise of skeletal muscles.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of endurance training and the AR blocker on the glycogen content and expression of GS in skeletal muscles.
Wistar rats were allocated in trained and non-trained groups. The trained rats were subjected to submaximal training. Half of the trained and non-trained rats received Flutamide for 8 weeks. An immunohistochemical study for GS was carried out, as well as histological testing of glycogen through PAS-reaction, followed by morphometric and statistical analysis.
Training increased glycogen content and immunoexpression of GS in soleus (Sol) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL). АR blocking decreased glycogen content in Sol and GS immunoexpression in EDL of trained animals.
The increased expression of GS found in trained rats reveals the role of the enzyme in adaptation processes in endurance training. The lowered glycogen content in Sol after AR blocking in trained rats proves the participation of androgens through AR in adaptation to exercise. The lowered expression of GS after administration of antiandrogen in EDL after endurance training can be explained by differences in the AR content in the different types of skeletal muscles, which determines their response to androgens.
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