Lipocalin 2 increases after high-intensity exercise in humans and influences muscle gene expression and differentiation in mice.

ABSTRACT: Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is an adipokine that accomplishes several functions in diverse organs. However, its importance in muscle and physical exercise is currently unknown. We observed that following acute high-intensity exercise ("Gran Sasso d'Italia" vertical run), LCN2 serum levels were increased. The Wnt pathway antagonist, DKK1, was also increased after the run, positively correlating with LCN2, and the same was found for the cytokine Interleukin 6. We, therefore, investigated the involvement of LCN2 in muscle physiology employing an Lcn2 global knockout (Lcn2^-/- ) mouse model. Lcn2^-/- mice presented with smaller muscle fibres but normal muscle performance (grip strength metre) and muscle weight. At variance with wild type (WT) mice, the inflammatory cytokine Interleu

SUBMITTER: Ponzetti M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9291458 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature