Role of vascular endothelial growth factor B and fibroblast growth factor in maintenance of skeletal muscle mass

Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025 02 v.60 293-299     font:big middle small

Found programs: National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31771284);The Taishan Scholar Program of Shandong(No. tstp20221145)

Authors:Zhao Yanpu; Yang Xiaoyu; Yu Huikang; Yang Xueling; Yang Chunhua; Tian Geng

Keywords:skeletal muscle;vascular endothelial growth factor B;fibroblast growth factor;gene-knockout mice;high-fat diet;FGF6

DOI:10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000-1492.2025.02.015

〔Abstract〕 Objective To verify the role of vascular endothelial growth factor B(VEGFB) in maintenance of skeletal muscle mass under chow-fed and high-fat diet, and to investigate the role of crosstalk between VEGFB and fibroblast growth factor(FGF) signaling pathways in the process. Methods Four experimental groups were designed: VEGFB+/+chow-fed diet group, VEGFB-/-chow-fed diet group, VEGFB+/+high-fat diet group, VEGFB-/-high-fat diet group. Skeletal muscles from 24 weeks mice were isolated and weighed. Gene expression association analysis and qPCR experiments were conducted to assess FGFs expression levels. Results Under both dietary conditions, VEGFB ablation resulted in reduced muscle mass. Under chow-fed diet condition, 8 FGFs level reduced including 6 paracrine FGFs in the skeletal muscle from VEGFB-/-mice. Under high-fat diet condition, 11 FGFs level decreased including 8 paracrine FGFs in VEGFB-/-mice. Conclusion VEGFB may participate in regulating skeletal muscle mass through FGF networks in the skeletal muscles.