Skeletal Muscle of Female Rats Exhibit Higher Mitochondrial Mass and Oxidative-Phosphorylative Capacities Compared to Males

Abstract

The effect of gender and caloric restriction on mitochondrial content and oxidative-phosphorylative capacities has been investigated in rat gastrocnemius muscle. Muscle protein, mitochondrial protein and DNA contents, enzymatic activities of mitochondrial oxidative and phosphorylative system, mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, protein levels of complex IV (subunit I and IV) and ATPase, and the gene and protein expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), involved in mitochondrial replication and transcription, were measured in rats of both genders fed ad libitum and subjected to three months of 40% caloric restriction. Compared to males, gastrocnemius muscle of female rats showed higher mitochondrial DNA and protein contents, TFAM protein level, oxidative and phosphorylative machinery and activities, and glutathione peroxidase activity. In conclusion, the present data show a clear gender dimorphism in rat muscle mitochondrial features, which could explain the higher facility of females to adapt to altered metabolic energy situations.