Browsing by Author "Acuña, María José"

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    Blockade of Bradykinin receptors worsens the dystrophic phenotype of mdx mice: differential effects for B1 and B2 receptors
    (2018) Acuña, María José; Salas, Daniela; Córdova Casanova, Adriana Paz; Cruz Soca, Meilyn; Céspedes, Carlos; Vio Lagos, Carlos P.; Brandan, Enrique
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    Episodic Binge-like Ethanol Reduces Skeletal Muscle Strength Associated with Atrophy, Fibrosis, and Inflammation in Young Rats
    (2023) Cáceres-Ayala, Constanza; Mira, Rodrigo G.; Acuña, María José; Brandan, Enrique; Cerpa Nebott, Waldo; Rebolledo, Daniela L.
    Binge Drinking (BD) corresponds to episodes of ingestion of large amounts of ethanol in a short time, typically ≤2 h. BD occurs across all populations, but young and sports-related people are especially vulnerable. However, the short- and long-term effects of episodic BD on skeletal muscle function have been poorly explored. Young rats were randomized into two groups: control and episodic Binge-Like ethanol protocol (BEP) (ethanol 3 g/kg IP, 4 episodes of 2-days ON-2-days OFF paradigm). Muscle function was evaluated two weeks after the last BEP episode. We found that rats exposed to BEP presented decreased muscle strength and increased fatigability, compared with control animals. Furthermore, we observed that skeletal muscle from rats exposed to BEP presented muscle atrophy, evidenced by reduced fiber size and increased expression of atrophic genes. We also observed that BEP induced fibrotic and inflammation markers, accompanied by mislocalization of nNOSµ and high levels of protein nitration. Our findings suggest that episodic binge-like ethanol exposure alters contractile capacity and increases fatigue by mechanisms involving atrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation, which remain for at least two weeks after ethanol clearance. These pathological features are common to several neuromuscular diseases and might affect muscle performance and health in the long term.
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    Restoration of muscle strength in dystrophic muscle by angiotensin-1-7 through inhibition of TGF-beta signalling
    (2014) Acuña, María José; Pessina, Patrizia; Olguín Marín, Hugo César; Cabrera, Daniel; Vio Lagos, Carlos P.; Bader, Michael; Muñoz Canoves, Pura; Santos, Robson A.; Cabello Verrugio, Claudio Alejandro; Brandan, Enrique
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    The functional and molecular effects of problematic alcohol consumption on skeletal muscle: a focus on athletic performance
    (2022) Caceres-Ayala, Constanza; Pautassi, Ricardo M.; Acuña, María José; Cerpa Nebott, Waldo; Rebolledo, Daniela L.
    Background: Chronic alcohol misuse is associated with alcoholic myopathy, characterized by skeletal muscle weakness and atrophy. Moreover, there is evidence that sports-related people seem to exhibit a greater prevalence of problematic alcohol consumption, especially binge drinking (BD), which might not cause alcoholic myopathy but can negatively impact muscle function and amateur and professional athletic performance. Objective: To review the literature concerning the effects of alcohol consumption on skeletal muscle function and structure that can affect muscle performance. Methodology: We examined the currently available literature (PubMed, Google Scholars) to develop a narrative review summarizing the knowledge about the effects of alcohol on skeletal muscle function and exercise performance, obtained from studies in human beings and animal models for problematic alcohol consumption. Results: Exercise- and sport-based studies indicate that alcohol consumption can negatively affect muscle recovery after vigorous exercise, especially in men, while women seem less affected. Clinical studies and pre-clinical laboratory research have led to the knowledge of some of the mechanisms involved in alcohol-related muscle dysfunction, including an imbalance between anabolic and catabolic pathways, reduced regeneration, increased inflammation and fibrosis, and deficiencies in energetic balance and mitochondrial function. These pathological features can appear not only under chronic alcohol misuse but also in other alcohol consumption patterns. Conclusions: Most laboratory-based studies use chronic or acute alcohol exposure, while episodic BD, the most common drinking pattern in amateur and professional athletes, is underrepresented. Nevertheless, alcohol consumption negatively affects skeletal muscle health through different mechanisms, which collectively might contribute to reduced sports performance.
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    Transforming growth factor type-b inhibits Masreceptor expression in fibroblasts but not inmyoblasts or differentiated myotubes; Relevanceto fibrosis associated to muscular dystrophies
    (2015) Cofré, Catalina; Acuña, María José; Contreras, Osvaldo; Morales, María Gabriela; Riquelme Illanes, Cecilia Angélica; Cabello Verrugio, Claudio Alejandro; Brandan, Enrique; Cofré, Catalina; Acuña, María José; Contreras Saavedra, Osvaldo Isaías; Morales, María Gabriela; Riquelme Illanes, Cecilia Angélica; Cabello Verrugio, Claudio Alejandro; Brandan, Enrique