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Muscle hypertrophy training does not suppress the GH/IGF axis in young adult males

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze the expression of the IGF type-1 receptor gene (IGF-1r) and IGF-I, GH, testosterone, and IGFBP-3 concentrations in young people subjected to 10 weeks of muscle hypertrophy training.

Methods

IGF-1r expression, serum concentrations of IGF-I, IGFBP-3, GH, and total testosterone, as well as body composition, fat percentage, and body mass index, were determined for 22 healthy young males at three moments of resistance training (first, fifth, and tenth week of training).

Results

Throughout the 10 weeks of training, a reduction was observed in the relative expression of the IGF-1r gene (2−ΔΔCT) and an increase in IGF-I and GH concentrations. A reduction in total testosterone concentrations was detected during the recovery period in the fifth week. The IGFBP-3 concentrations did not change throughout the training.

Conclusions

The resistance training protocol prescribed for muscle hypertrophy did not suppress the GH-IGF-I axis, but it did cause alterations in IGF-1r gene expression and in IGF-I kinetics compatible with increased IGF bioactivity.

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Data availability

The entire dataset supporting the results of this study was published in the article itself.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) (CNPq—Proc. no. 142327/2018-2), Brazil, for scholarships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

    M. C. Junior, H. S. C. Cerqueira & C. E. M. Junior

  2. School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

    H. T. Filho

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  3. H. T. Filho
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  4. C. E. M. Junior
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Contributions

MCJ, HTF, and CEMJ contributed to conception and design of the study. HSCC organized the database. MCJ and CEMJ wrote sections of the manuscript. All authors contributed to manuscript revision, read, and approved the submitted version.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. C. Junior.

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Conflict of interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the research ethics committee of the Clinical Hospital of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, of the University of São Paulo, in São Paulo (state).

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The informed consent form was read and signed by all the participants.

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Junior, M.C., Cerqueira, H.S.C., Filho, H.T. et al. Muscle hypertrophy training does not suppress the GH/IGF axis in young adult males. J Endocrinol Invest 46, 2601–2607 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-023-02116-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-023-02116-1

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