The Effect of a Retraining Course on the Expression of AKT, PDK1, and PIP3 Genes in the Plantaris Muscle of Male Rats

Long-term inactivity significantly affects the structure and function of skeletal muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of retraining programs with resistance training on the changes of AKT, PDK1, and PIP3 genes involved in protein synthesis and breakdown after a period of inactivity in the plantaris muscle of male rats.

In this experimental study, 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four suspension, retraining, non-training, and training groups. The training program was four weeks and three sessions per week. The animals had to climb a vertical ladder with weights attached to their tails. After 48 hours from the last training session, the mice were anesthetized, and the soleus muscle was extracted.  The expression of the desired genes was measured using the Real-Time PCR method. Data analysis and differences between groups were analyzed using Lone's parametric tests, independent t, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's post hoc test at a significant level P ˂ 0.05.

The expression of AKT, PDK1, and PIP3 genes in the plantaris muscle of male rats in the retraining group has a significant difference compared to other groups (P = 0.027, P = 0.0001, and P = 0.0001, respectively).

Resistance training before lower limb suspension and after immobilization seems to reduce atrophy in plantaris muscle in male rats. On the other hand, lower limb suspension increases the expression of atrophic genes (AKT, PDK1, PIP3) in the plantaris muscle of rats.