Dose-dependent effects of testosterone on proteins related to nitric oxide signaling pathway and trophic factors in the spinal cord of adolescent trained rats

IntroductionEndurance training plays an important role in, for example, triathlon, marathon, or road cycling and in combination with strength training. Adolescence has been associated with increased interest among of young people, especially boys, in strength-related and endurance sports or body-bui...

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Main Authors: Katarzyna Nierwińska, Konstancja Grabowska, Małgorzata Chalimoniuk, Sławomir Jagsz, Józef Langfort, Andrzej Małecki, Marta Nowacka-Chmielewska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1635517/full
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author Katarzyna Nierwińska
Katarzyna Nierwińska
Konstancja Grabowska
Małgorzata Chalimoniuk
Sławomir Jagsz
Józef Langfort
Andrzej Małecki
Marta Nowacka-Chmielewska
author_facet Katarzyna Nierwińska
Katarzyna Nierwińska
Konstancja Grabowska
Małgorzata Chalimoniuk
Sławomir Jagsz
Józef Langfort
Andrzej Małecki
Marta Nowacka-Chmielewska
author_sort Katarzyna Nierwińska
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionEndurance training plays an important role in, for example, triathlon, marathon, or road cycling and in combination with strength training. Adolescence has been associated with increased interest among of young people, especially boys, in strength-related and endurance sports or body-building. Anabolic androgen steroid use is a public health threat. The present study aimed to estimate the effect of endurance training, two doses of testosterone, and the combination of these stimuli on the level and activity of proteins related to the nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathways in the spinal cord in adolescent male rats.MethodsAdult male Wistar rats were trained using a motor-driven treadmill for 6 weeks (40–60 min, 5 times per week) and/or were treated for 6 weeks with two doses of testosterone (i.m.; 8 mg/kg or 80 mg/kg body weight). At the end of the experiment, spinal cord samples were collected for further evaluation.Results and DiscussionMajor findings from the study are that a high dose of testosterone increases proteins related to the NO signaling pathway (eNOS, nNOS, CGβ1, PKC), but decreases trophic factors (BDNF, VEGF) and p-Akt. Endurance training by itself increases the spinal protein levels of CGβ1, VEGF, and kinases -p-Akt and PKC, but decreases kinase p-p38 MAPK; and the combination of endurance training and high doses of testosterone enhances changes in the protein level of nNOS, p-p38 and p-Akt. In conclusion, at least some of the effects of endurance training and testosterone may be related to the intensity of NO-related signal transmission and protein kinase systems.
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spelling doaj-art-da8b627aff444f3eae62ac6b18c1c18d2025-08-20T03:29:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672025-07-01710.3389/fspor.2025.16355171635517Dose-dependent effects of testosterone on proteins related to nitric oxide signaling pathway and trophic factors in the spinal cord of adolescent trained ratsKatarzyna Nierwińska0Katarzyna Nierwińska1Konstancja Grabowska2Małgorzata Chalimoniuk3Sławomir Jagsz4Józef Langfort5Andrzej Małecki6Marta Nowacka-Chmielewska7Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, PolandDepartment of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, PolandLaboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, PolandDepartment of Physical Education and Health in Biala Podlaska, Faculty in Biala Podlaska, Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Biala Podlaska, PolandDepartment of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, PolandDepartment of Sports Nutrition, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, PolandLaboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, PolandLaboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, PolandIntroductionEndurance training plays an important role in, for example, triathlon, marathon, or road cycling and in combination with strength training. Adolescence has been associated with increased interest among of young people, especially boys, in strength-related and endurance sports or body-building. Anabolic androgen steroid use is a public health threat. The present study aimed to estimate the effect of endurance training, two doses of testosterone, and the combination of these stimuli on the level and activity of proteins related to the nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathways in the spinal cord in adolescent male rats.MethodsAdult male Wistar rats were trained using a motor-driven treadmill for 6 weeks (40–60 min, 5 times per week) and/or were treated for 6 weeks with two doses of testosterone (i.m.; 8 mg/kg or 80 mg/kg body weight). At the end of the experiment, spinal cord samples were collected for further evaluation.Results and DiscussionMajor findings from the study are that a high dose of testosterone increases proteins related to the NO signaling pathway (eNOS, nNOS, CGβ1, PKC), but decreases trophic factors (BDNF, VEGF) and p-Akt. Endurance training by itself increases the spinal protein levels of CGβ1, VEGF, and kinases -p-Akt and PKC, but decreases kinase p-p38 MAPK; and the combination of endurance training and high doses of testosterone enhances changes in the protein level of nNOS, p-p38 and p-Akt. In conclusion, at least some of the effects of endurance training and testosterone may be related to the intensity of NO-related signal transmission and protein kinase systems.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1635517/fullendurance trainingtestosteroneneurotrophinsNONOSadolescent rats
spellingShingle Katarzyna Nierwińska
Katarzyna Nierwińska
Konstancja Grabowska
Małgorzata Chalimoniuk
Sławomir Jagsz
Józef Langfort
Andrzej Małecki
Marta Nowacka-Chmielewska
Dose-dependent effects of testosterone on proteins related to nitric oxide signaling pathway and trophic factors in the spinal cord of adolescent trained rats
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
endurance training
testosterone
neurotrophins
NO
NOS
adolescent rats
title Dose-dependent effects of testosterone on proteins related to nitric oxide signaling pathway and trophic factors in the spinal cord of adolescent trained rats
title_full Dose-dependent effects of testosterone on proteins related to nitric oxide signaling pathway and trophic factors in the spinal cord of adolescent trained rats
title_fullStr Dose-dependent effects of testosterone on proteins related to nitric oxide signaling pathway and trophic factors in the spinal cord of adolescent trained rats
title_full_unstemmed Dose-dependent effects of testosterone on proteins related to nitric oxide signaling pathway and trophic factors in the spinal cord of adolescent trained rats
title_short Dose-dependent effects of testosterone on proteins related to nitric oxide signaling pathway and trophic factors in the spinal cord of adolescent trained rats
title_sort dose dependent effects of testosterone on proteins related to nitric oxide signaling pathway and trophic factors in the spinal cord of adolescent trained rats
topic endurance training
testosterone
neurotrophins
NO
NOS
adolescent rats
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1635517/full
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