4. MICT and HIIT Regulate Mitochondrial Quality Control Systems via MSTN
(1) MICT and HIIT Downregulate MSTN to Activate AMPK/PGC-1α: Compared to the NC group, the protein expression of PGC-1α in the DC group was significantly decreased (P < 0.001), the protein expression of AMPK was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), the phosphorylation of AMPK at Ser415 was significantly decreased (P < 0.001), and the protein expression of MSTN was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared to the DC group, the protein expression of PGC-1α in the MICT group was significantly increased (P < 0.01), the phosphorylation of AMPK at Ser415 was significantly increased (P < 0.01), the protein expression of MSTN was significantly decreased (P < 0.001), and there was no significant change in the protein expression of AMPK; in the HIIT group, the protein expression of PGC-1α was significantly increased (P < 0.001), the protein expression of AMPK was significantly increased (P < 0.001), the phosphorylation of AMPK at Ser415 was significantly increased (P < 0.001), and the protein expression of MSTN was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Compared to the MICT group, the protein expression of PGC-1α in the HIIT group was significantly increased (P < 0.01), the protein expression of AMPK was significantly increased (P < 0.05), the phosphorylation of AMPK at Ser415 was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and there was no significant change in the protein expression of MSTN.
(2) MICT and HIIT Increase Mitochondrial Biogenesis in db/db Mice: Compared to the NC group, the protein expression of NRF2 in the DC group was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and the protein expression of TFAM was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Compared to the DC group, the protein expression of NRF2 and TFAM in both the MICT and HIIT groups was significantly increased (P < 0.001). Compared to the MICT group, the protein expression of NRF2 in the HIIT group was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the protein expression of TFAM was significantly increased (P < 0.001). Compared to the NC group, the copy number of mtDNA in the DC group was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and the protein expression of TFAM was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Compared to the DC group, the copy number of mtDNA in both the MICT and HIIT groups was significantly increased (P < 0.001). Compared to the MICT group, the copy number of mtDNA in the HIIT group was significantly increased (P < 0.001).