The Role of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species in Skeletal Muscle

Skeletal muscle is a very dynamic tissue with a large adaptive capacity and a remarkable resistance to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). The reason for this resistance could be the fact that muscle contraction generates RONS, which, up to a certain extent, facilitate the power of contraction. Therefore, moderate levels of RONS appear to be beneficial to muscle function and fiber type differentiation via redox sensitive SIRT1 pathways through MyD and PGC1-alpha. Physiological levels of RONS are likely among those factors which play a role in mitochondrial biogenesis, and the unique subpopulation of mitochondria of skeletal muscle could be differentially affected by RONS. RONS are active, physiological stimulators of certain cellular processes in the skeletal muscle, which include the capacity of force generation, differentiation, and mitochondrial biogenesis. They are also involved in the regulation of antioxidant and oxidative damage-repair systems.