Decreased mitochondrial-related gene expression in adipose tissue after acute sprint exercise in humans

The aim was to examine the acute effects of sprint exercise (SIT) on global gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT) in healthy subjects to improve the understanding of how SIT may contribute to the maintenance of a healthy body weight. An SIT-induced upregulation of genes related to mitochondrial and fat metabolism was hypothesized. A total of 15 subjects performed three 30-s all-out sprints (SIT). Samples from AT, skeletal muscle (SM) and blood (brachial artery and a superficial subcutaneous abdominal vein) were obtained, up to 15 min after the last sprint. Purines such as hypoxanthine, xanthine or uric acid, sources of oxidative stress, increased markedly by SIT in both the artery and the abdominal vein. Purines also increased in AT and SM tissue. In response to SIT, a decreased signaling was predicted from the differential gene expression (z-score < -2 and -log(p-value) > 4) for mitochondrial related pathways such as oxidative phosphorylation, electron transport, ATP synthesis and heat production by uncoupling, mitochondrial fatty acid beta oxidation. Contrary to the hypothesis, a downregulation of various gene sets related to oxidative metabolism was shown after SIT. This could counteract possible negative effects of SIT-induced oxidative stress by an early stage “shutdown” of the mitochondria. Human subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue gene expression at rest and after acute sprint interval exercise (3x30-s all-out cycle sprints). Biopsies were taken before sprint 1 (preexercise), 15 min after sprint 2 and 15 min after sprint 3 (postexercise). The first and last biopsies were performed on separate sides of the umbilicus. The biopsies taken after sprint 2 were not used for gene expression analysis.