Targeted SNP Interrogation to Determine if Select Polymorphisms are Associated with Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy Following 12 Weeks of Resistance Training
Authors: Vann Christopher G. , Morton Robert W. , Ferguson Brian K. , Osburn Shelby C. , Sexton Casey L. , Oikawa Sara Y. , McGlory Chris , Young Kaelin C. , Phillips Stuart M. , Roberts Michael D. 
Published: April 2020

Introduction

We aimed to determine if candidate genetic polymorphisms were associated with resistance training‐induced changes in skeletal muscle hypertrophy variables.

Methods

Two cohorts of predominantly Caucasian college‐aged male participants (N=109; n=66: Auburn, AL, USA; n=43: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) performed 12 weeks of progressive full‐body resistance training (3–4 days/week). Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies and dual x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were performed prior to the intervention (Pre), and 72 hours following the last training bout (Post). Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess mean fiber cross sectional area (fCSA), DXA scans were analyzed to assess whole‐body (fat‐ and bone‐free) lean soft tissue mass (LSTM), and over 800,000 genetic polymorphisms were interrogated from muscle tissue using DNA microarrays. Select polymorphisms from a systematic literature review were examined in relation to Pre‐to‐Post changes in mean fCSA as well as changes in DXA LSTM.

Results

There were no genotype*time interactions for ACTN3 (rs1815739), ACE (rs4343), ADRB2 (rs1042714), FTO (rs9939609, rs1421085, rs8050136), IL15RA (rs2296135), VDR (rs1544410), LEPR (rs113710182), FST (rs7229102), IGF1 (rs5742692), or MSTN (rs72909336) with regard to training‐induced changes in DXA LSTM or mean fCSA. Interestingly, when participants were clustered in tertiles according to percent changes in mean fCSA and DXA LSTM, Pre mean fCSA and Pre DXA LSTM were inversely correlated. Pre mean fCSA values were greater in the lower (5607±1195 μm2) versus middle (4673±1154 μm2, p=0.007) and upper tertiles (4558±895 μm2, p<0.001), while Pre DXA LSTM values were greater in the lower (63.3±7.0 kg) versus middle (59.6±6.9 kg, p=0.043) upper tertiles (57.5±5.8 kg, p<0.001). Stepwise linear regression was performed using baseline DXA LSTM and mean fCSA along with gene scores from the candidate polymorphisms to predict percent changes in DXA LSTM as well as mean fCSA with training, respectively. The only significant predictor of percent DXA LSTM change to training was Pre DXA LSTM (β=−0.327, model r2=0.11, p=0.001). Likewise, the only significant predictor of percent mean fCSA change to training was Pre mean fCSA (β=−0.310, model r2=0.09, p=0.001).

Conclusions

Collectively, our data suggest that pre‐training DXA LSTM or fCSA values (rather than the genetic influence of select polymorphisms) are better predictors of change scores in these variables with resistance training.

Support or Funding Information

Funding for this project on the Auburn Campus was provided by Hilmar Ingredients, Bionutritional Research Group, and discretionary lab funds by M.D.R. Funding for the McMaster Campus project was provided through an operating grant provided to S.M.P through the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Figure 1