Laboratory of Muscle Regeneration
Division of Rehabilitation Medicine
Faculty of Health Sciences with the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine
ABOUT US
The Muscle Health Laboratory (MHL) is a modern research facility focused on studying the phenomena associated with the prevention, damage, and regeneration of both skeletal and cardiac muscles. The focus of the team’s research is the analysis of mitochondrial function, as the energy centres of muscle cells, whose dysfunction leads to pathological changes and accompanies numerous diseases, including incurable ones in humans. The team members have many years of experience gained through research grants and collaboration with centres in Poland and abroad.
The unit is equipped to conduct analyses on human and animal samples, as well as in vitro experiments. The team’s experience also allows them to conduct research on animal models of human diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and a model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
SCOPE OF WORK
The team conducts the following analyses:
I. Isolation and measurement of mitochondrial function, including:
1. Isolation of mitochondria from various animal tissues. Separation of mitochondria into mitochondria containing fragments of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (crude) and a “pure” mitochondria fraction. Identification of the purity of isolated mitochondria, including MAM (mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane) structures.
2. Measurement of the activity of mitochondrial marker enzymes (Krebs cycle, beta-oxidation, and other enzymes of cellular energy metabolism).
3. Measurement of the activity of respiratory chain complexes.
4. Measurement of the activity of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes.
5. Measurement of mitochondrial bioenergetics using a highly sensitive oxygen electrode from isolated tissues, tissue homogenates, or cultured cells:
- Determination of mitochondrial function (OCE: OXPHOS coupling efficiency)
- Oxygen consumption rates for various energy substrates (CI and CI+CII)
- Investigation of the effects of various chemical compounds on mitochondrial bioenergetics in various experimental models
- Investigation of oxidative stress markers in mitochondria
- Investigation of calcium ion-induced mitochondrial swelling
6. Investigation of mitochondrial cholesterol concentrations and proteins associated with cholesterol transport within mitochondria
7. Investigation of the bioenergetics of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients using a proprietary PBMC isolation protocol with a high degree of PBMC fraction purity.
II. Assessment of the risk of injury in the upper and lower limbs in active individuals using the following tests: the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the assessment of balance and dynamic stability of the lower and upper limbs (Y-balance test)
III. Indirect assessment of myocardial function and exercise limitations:
- cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) with exercise ECG assessment,
- assessment of exercise tolerance and respiratory and metabolic parameters, such as: peak oxygen consumption (VO₂peak/VO₂max), carbon dioxide production (VCO₂), minute ventilation (VE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2), heart rate (HR), blood pressure, and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂).
AVAILABLE DEVICES AND EQUIPMENT
- Oroboros Oxygraf-2K equipped with a highly sensitive oxygen electrode
- Clark oxygen electrode by Oxytherm
- Eppendorf centrifuge
- Optima XPN-80 Ultracentrifuge with a maximum speed of 80,000 rpm, 48,300 xg
- Western Blot analysis equipment
- Laboratory adapted for cell culture
- Kits for performing and analyzing FMS and Y-balance test results
- Cortex MetaMax ergospirometer, Woodway treadmill, Lode bicycle ergometer, Schiller ergospirometer
- Balance board with Libra software
PUBLICATIONS
Siedzik K, Góral K, Rodziewicz-Flis E, Olek RA, Ziółkowski W. (2025) Impact of a Fish-Based Restrictive Ketogenic Diet on Body Composition and Strength Capacity: A Pre-Post Study. Nutrients. 17:1297.
Białobrodzka E, Flis DJ, Akdogan B, Borkowska A, Wieckowski MR, Antosiewicz J, Zischka H, Dzik KP, Kaczor JJ, Ziolkowski W. (2024) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and swim training affect copper metabolism in skeletal muscle in a mouse model of disease. Muscle Nerve. 70:1111-1118.
Dzik KP, Flis DJ, Kaczor-Keller KB, Bytowska ZK, Karnia MJ, Ziółkowski W, Kaczor JJ. (2024) Spinal cord abnormal autophagy and mitochondria energy metabolism are modified by swim training in SOD1-G93A mice. J Mol Med (Berl). 102:379-390.
Halon-Golabek M, Flis DJ, Zischka H, Akdogan B, Wieckowski MR, Antosiewicz J, Ziolkowski W. (2024) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated disturbance of iron metabolism is blunted by swim training-role of AKT signaling pathway. BiochimBiophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 1870:167014.
Cieminski K, Flis DJ, Dzik KP, Kaczor JJ, Wieckowski MR, Antosiewicz J, Ziolkowski W. (2022) Swim Training Affects on Muscle Lactate Metabolism, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotides Concentration, and the Activity of NADH Shuttle Enzymes in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci. 23:11504.
Flis DJ, Bialobrodzka EG, Rodziewicz-Flis EA, Jost Z, Borkowska A, Ziolkowski W, Kaczor JJ. (2022) The Effect of Long-Lasting Swimming on Rats Skeletal Muscles Energy Metabolism after Nine Days of Dexamethasone Treatment. Int J Mol Sci. 23:748
Dzik KP, Flis DJ, Bytowska ZK, Karnia MJ, Ziolkowski W, Kaczor JJ. (2021) Swim Training Ameliorates Hyperlocomotion of ALS Mice and Increases Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in the Spinal Cord. Int J Mol Sci. 22:11614.
Cieminski K, Flis DJ, Dzik K, Kaczor JJ, Czyrko E, Halon-Golabek M, Wieckowski MR, Antosiewicz J, Ziolkowski W. (2021) Swim training affects Akt signaling and ameliorates loss of skeletal muscle mass in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sci Rep. 11:20899.
Lee M, Goral K, Flis D, Skrobot W, Cieminski K, Olek R, Akimoto T, Ziolkowski W. (2021) Changes in Urinary Titin Fragment in Response to Different Types of Dynamic Eccentric Exercises. Int J Sports Med. 42:432-440.
Borkowska A, Ziolkowski W, Kaczor K, Herman-Antosiewicz A, Knap N, Wronska A, Antosiewicz J. (2021) Homocysteine-induced decrease in HUVEC cells’ resistance to oxidative stress is mediated by Akt-dependent changes in iron metabolism. Eur J Nutr. 60:1619-1631.
Stegemann A, Flis D, Ziolkowski W, Distler JHW, Steinbrink K, Böhm M. (2020) The α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor: A Promising Target for the Treatment of Fibrotic Skin Disorders. J Invest Dermatol. 140:2371-2379.
Flis DJ, Dzik K, Kaczor JJ, Cieminski K, Halon-Golabek M, Antosiewicz J, Wieckowski MR, Ziolkowski W. (2019) Swim Training Modulates Mouse Skeletal Muscle Energy Metabolism and Ameliorates Reduction in Grip Strength in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci. 20:233.
Flis, D.J., Dzik, K., Kaczor, J.J., Halon-Golabek, M., Antosiewicz, J., Wieckowski, M.R., Ziolkowski, W. (2018) Swim training modulates skeletal muscle energy metabolism, oxidative stress and the mitochondrial cholesterol content in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis mice. Oxid. Med. Cell Longev. 2018:5940748.
Kleszczyński K, Bilska B, Stegemann A, Flis DJ, Ziolkowski W, Pyza E, Luger TA, Reiter RJ, Böhm M, Slominski AT. (2018) Melatonin and Its Metabolites Ameliorate UVR-Induced Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress in Human MNT-1 Melanoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 19:3786.
Flis DJ, Dzik K, Kaczor JJ, Halon-Golabek M, Antosiewicz J, Wieckowski MR, Ziolkowski W. (2018) Swim Training Modulates Skeletal Muscle Energy Metabolism, Oxidative Stress, and Mitochondrial Cholesterol Content in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mice. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018:5940748.
Olek RA, Kujach S, Ziemann E, Ziolkowski W, Waz P, Laskowski R. (2018) Adaptive Changes After 2 Weeks of 10-s Sprint Interval Training With Various Recovery Times. Front Physiol. 9:392.
Zajączkowski S, Ziółkowski W, Badtke P, Zajączkowski MA, Flis DJ, Figarski A, Smolińska-Bylańska M, Wierzba TH. (2018) Promising effects of xanthine oxidase inhibition by allopurinol on autonomic heart regulation estimated by heart rate variability (HRV) analysis in rats exposed to hypoxia and hyperoxia. PLoS One. 13:e0192781.
Halon-Golabek M, Borkowska A, Kaczor JJ, Ziolkowski W, Flis DJ, Knap N, Kasperuk K, Antosiewicz J. (2018) hmSOD1 gene mutation-induced disturbance in iron metabolism is mediated by impairment of Akt signalling pathway. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 9:557-569.
Szymański J, Janikiewicz J, Michalska B, Patalas-Krawczyk P, Perrone M, Ziółkowski W, Duszyński J, Pinton P, Dobrzyń A, Więckowski MR. (2017) Interaction of Mitochondria with the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Plasma Membrane in Calcium Homeostasis, Lipid Trafficking and Mitochondrial Structure. Int J Mol Sci. 18:1576.
Flis DJ, Olek RA, Kaczor JJ, Rodziewicz E, Halon M, Antosiewicz J, Wozniak M, Gabbianelli R, Ziolkowski W.(2016) Exercise-induced changes in caveolin-1, depletion of mitochondrial cholesterol, and the inhibition of mitochondrial swelling in rat skeletal muscle but not in the liver. Oxid. Med. Cell. Longev. 2016:3620929.
Ziolkowski W, Flis DJ, Halon M, Vadhana DM, Olek RA, Carloni M, Antosiewicz J, Kaczor JJ, Gabbianelli R. (2015) Prolonged swimming promotes cellular oxidative stress and p66Shc phosphorylation, but does not induce oxidative stress in mitochondria in the rat heart. Free Radic Res. 49:7-16.
Ziolkowski W, Vadhana M S D, Kaczor JJ, Olek RA, Flis DJ, Halon M, Wozniak M, Fedeli D, Carloni M, Antosiewicz J, Gabbianelli R. (2013) Exercise-induced heart mitochondrial cholesterol depletion influences the inhibition of mitochondrial swelling. Exp Physiol. 98:1457-68.
Ziolkowski W, Szkatula M, Nurczyk A, Wakabayashi T, Kaczor JJ, Olek RA, Knap N, Antosiewicz J, Wieckowski MR, Wozniak M. (2010) Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin induces mitochondrial cholesterol depletion and alters the mitochondrial structure and bioenergetics. FEBS Lett. 584:4606-10.
Halon M, Sielicka-Dudzin A, Wozniak M, Ziolkowski W, Nyka W, Herbik M, Grieb P, Figarski A, Antosiewicz J. (2010) Up-regulation of ferritin ubiquitination in skeletal muscle of transgenic rats bearing the G93A hmSOD1 gene mutation. NeuromusculDisord. 20:29-33.
Loch T, Vakhrusheva O, Piotrowska I, Ziolkowski W, Ebelt H, Braun T, Bober E. (2009) Different extent of cardiac malfunction and resistance to oxidative stress in heterozygous and homozygous manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase-mutant mice. Cardiovasc Res.82:448-57.
Kaczor JJ, Ziolkowski W, Antosiewicz J, Hac S, Tarnopolsky MA, Popinigis J. (2006) The effect of aging on anaerobic and aerobic enzyme activities in human skeletal muscle. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 61:339-44.
Kaczor JJ, Ziolkowski W, Popinigis J, Tarnopolsky MA. (2005) Anaerobic and aerobic enzyme activities in human skeletal muscle from children and adults. Pediatr Res. 57:331-5.
CONTACT
Division of Rehabilitation Medicine
Medical University of Gdańsk
Al. Zwycięstwa 30
80-219 Gdańsk
Phone 58 347 16 40
Laboratory of Muscle Regeneration
at the Division of Rehabilitation Medicine
Medical University of Gdańsk
Al. Zwycięstwa 30
80-219 Gdańsk
Phone 58 347 16 40
Head of the Laboratory of Muscle Regeneration
Prof. Wiesław Ziółkowski
E-mail: wieslaw.ziolkowski@gumed.edu.pl
Head of the Division of Rehabilitation Medicine
Prof. Dominika Szalewska
E-mail: dominika.szalewska@gumed.edu.pl
Investigators:
Marzena Olszewska-Karaban, Ph.D.
E-mail: marzena.olszewska-karaban@gumed.edu.pl
Agnieszka Sobierajska-Rek, M.D., Ph.D.
E-mail: sobierajska@gumed.edu.pl
in collaboration with:
Damian Flis, Ph.D.
E-mail: damian.flis@gumed.edu.pl
Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology
Faculty of Pharmacy
Andżelika Borkowska, Ph.D.
E-mail: andzelika.borkowska@gumed.edu.pl
Division of Bioenergetics and Physiology of Exercise
Faculty of Health Sciences with the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine
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