Voluntary Wheel Running Exercise Improves Aging-Induced Sarcopenia via Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator-1α/Fibronectin Type III Domain-Containing Protein 5/Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway

PURPOSE: In this study, the protective effect of voluntary wheel running exercise on muscle loss and muscle weakness in gastrocnemius of old rats was investigated. The association of voluntary wheel exercise with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)/fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5)/adenosine monophosphate- activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was also evaluated. METHODS: Six-month-old and 22-month-old male rats were used for this experiment. The rats in voluntary wheel running exercise groups were performed wheel running for 2 months. Weight bearing test for walking strength, rotarod test for motor coordination and balance, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining for histological changes in the muscle tissues, Western blot analysis for PGC-1α, FNDC5, AMPK, immunofluorescence for VEGF were conducted. RESULTS: Decreased muscle mass, strength, and coordination due to aging were associated with a decrease in the PGC-1α/FNDC5/AMPK signaling pathway in the gastrocnemius. Voluntary wheel running exercise enhanced VEGF expression by activating the PGC-1α/FNDC5/AMPK signaling pathway, then increased muscle mass, strength, and coordination. CONCLUSIONS: It has been suggested that voluntary wheel running exercise alleviates symptoms of urological diseases that are difficult to treat. Wheel running exercise is a good therapeutic strategy to prevent or treat aging-related sarcopenia.