[Purpose] Many studies have been using cell culture models of muscle cells with exogenous
cytokines or
glucocorticoids to mimic
atrophy in in vivo and in vitro tests. However, the changes in the phosphorylation of
atrophy-related
cofilin are still poorly understood in starved skeletal muscle cells. In this study, we first examined whether or not phosphorylation of
cofilin is altered in L6 myoblasts after 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours of serum-free
starvation with low
glucose. [Methods] We used Western blotting to exam
protein expression and phosphorylation in atrophied L6 myoblasts. [Results] L6 cell sizes and numbers were diminished as a result of serum-free
starvation in a time-dependent manner. Serum-free
starvation for 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours significantly decreased the phosphorylation of
cofilin, respectively. [Conclusion] These results suggest that
starvation-induced
atrophy may be in part related to changes in the phosphorylation of
cofilin in L6 myoblasts.