The muscle proteome reflects changes in mitochondrial function, cellular stress and proteolysis after 14 days of unilateral lower limb immobilization in active young men

Skeletal muscle unloading due to joint immobilization induces skeletal muscle atrophy. However, the skeletal muscle proteome response to limb immobilization has not been investigated using SWATH methods. This study quantitatively characterized the muscle proteome at baseline, and after 3 and 14 d of unilateral lower limb (knee-brace) immobilization in 18 healthy young men (25.4 ±5.5 y, 81.2 ±11.6 kg). All muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle. Unilateral lower limb immobilization was preceded by four-weeks of exercise training to standardise acute training history, and 7 days of dietary provision to standardise energy/macronutrient intake. Dietary intake was also standardised/provided throughout the 14 d immobilization period.