Effect of Eight Weeks of Resistance Training on Myostatin and Folistatin Proteins Content in Gastrocnemius Muscle Tissue of Elderly Rats

Myostatin and follistatin proteins are key proteins in the regulation of muscle atrophy and hypertrophy. Aging and sarcopenia can lead to disruption of cellular mechanisms and the activity of these proteins. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resistance training on myostatin and folistatin proteins content in Gastrocnemius muscle tissue of elderly rats.

In this experimental study, 12 female Sprague-Dawley rats (20-month-old) with an average weight of 250±30 g were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups: resistance training (n=6) and control (n=6). The resistance-training program was as followed: 3 days a week for 8 weeks, climbing a one-meter vertical ladder with 26 steps and two centimeters of space between each step with a slope of 85 degrees. SPSS software version 23 and independent t-test were used to analyze the data.

The results showed that eight weeks of resistance training led to a significant increase in myostatin protein content in the training group compared to the control group (P≤0.04). In contrast, eight weeks of resistance training led to a significant reduction in folistatin protein content in the training group compared to the control group (P≤0.05).

According to the results of the present study on the content of myostatin and folistatin proteins, it is possible that the reduction of muscle atrophy in the elderly can be through other pathways of protein synthesis and muscle hypertrophy.