Differential effects of cholecalciferol and calcitriol on muscle proteolysis and oxidative stress in angiotensin II‐induced C2C12 myotube atrophy

Renin–angiotensin system activation contributes to skeletal muscle atrophy in aging individuals with chronic diseases. We aimed to explore the effects of cholecalciferol (VD 3 ) and calcitriol (1,25VD 3 ) on signaling of muscle proteolysis and oxidative stress in myotubes challenged with angiotensin II (AII). The mouse C2C12 myotubes were assigned to vehicle, AII, AII + VD 3 , AII + 1,25VD 3 , and AII + losartan groups. The expression levels of muscle‐specific E3 ubiquitin ligase proteins, autophagy‐related proteins, and oxidative stress markers were investigated. We demonstrated the diverse effects of VD 3 and 1,25VD 3 on AII‐induced myotube atrophy. The myotube diameter was preserved by treatment with 100 nM VD 3 and losartan, while 1 and 10 nM 1,25VD 3 increased levels of FoxO3a, MuRF1, and atrogin‐1 protein expression in myotubes exposed to AII. Treatment with AII + 10 nM 1,25VD 3 resulted in the upregulation of LC3B‐II, LC3B‐II/LC3B‐I, and mature cathepsin L, which are autophagic marker proteins. The p62/SQSTM1 protein was downregulated and vitamin D receptor was upregulated after treatment with AII + 10 nM 1,25VD 3 . A cellular redox imbalance was observed as AII + 10 nM 1,25VD 3 ‐induced reactive oxygen species and NADPH oxidase‐2 overproduction, and these changes were associated with an inadequate response of antioxidant superoxide dismutase‐1 and catalase proteins. Collectively, these findings provide a translational perspective on the role of vitamin D 3 in alleviating muscle atrophy related to high levels of AII.