2013 Volume 50 Issue 3 Pages 195-201
Objective : In Europe, carbon dioxide therapy has been used for treating cardiac disease and skin problems for a long time. Previously, we demonstrated that transcutaneous carbon dioxide (CO2) application facilitated dioxygen (O2) dissociation from hemoglobin (Hb) in the human body. Additionally, we proved that transcutaneous CO2 application to the lower limbs of rats increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and silent mating type information regulation 2 homologs 1 (SIRT1). It also increased the number of mitochondria, and changed IIB fiber to IIA fiber in similar manner to the change that occurs after exercise. The transcutaneous CO2 application caused a similar effect to that of exercise training in skeletal muscle and indicated the possibility of improved endurance strength. However, the effect of transcutaneous CO2 application on endurance exercise and the recovery of muscle fatigue has not been studied. Methods : In this study, we investigated the performance of endurance exercise in rats with/without transcutaneous CO2 application and analyzed the muscle fiber changes, capillary density and mitochondrial DNA number of the skeletal muscles after training, using activity wheels. Results： Training with CO2 application resulted in a higher percentage of TA muscle transformed to IIA and/or IID than training alone, suggesting that transcutaneous CO2 application may increase the production of ATP, mitochondria number, and capillary density. Therefore, transcutaneous CO2 application might lead to muscle damage recovery. Conclusion : We suggest that transcutaneous CO2 application has a therapeutic potential for recovery of damaged muscle after excessive exercise and rehabilitation.
