Objective To explore the mechanism of whole body vibration training (WBV) on skeletal muscles of postmenopausal rats, through the observation of expressions of β-catenin signaling through phosphorylation of GSK-3β and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in the skeletal muscles of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Methods Rats were randomly divided into the sham operated group (Sham group, n=10), castrated control group (OVX group, n=10), 17 β-estradiol treatment group (E2 group, n=10), and whole-body vibration training group (WBV group, n=10). At the end of the experiment, the serum levels of estradiol (E2) and luteinizing hormone (LH), and protein expressions for PPARγ, β-catenin, and P-GSK-3β in skeletal muscles were examined. Results The level of serum LH in OVX group was higher than that in Sham group and E2 group (P<0.05). The level of serum E2 in OVX group was lower than that of other 3 groups (P<0.05). Compared with Sham group, the expression of PPARγ in skeletal muscles of OVX group increased significantly (P<0.05), while the expressions of β-catenin and P-GSK-3β protein decreased significantly (P<0.05). Under the intervention of WBV or estrogen replacement therapy, the expression of PPARγ in WBV group or E2 group was significantly lower than that in OVX group (P<0.05), but the expressions of β-catenin and P-GSK-3β protein were significantly higher than those in OVX group (P<0.05). Conclusion WBV activates the GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling but inhibits the production of PPARγ in skeletal muscles of OVX rats, which may contribute to the prevention of bone loss in OVX rats. |