The gene expression of Beclin-1 (A), Atg5 (B), Atg7 (C), and Atg12 (D) were examined by real-time RT-PCR analysis. Results are expressed as relative mRNA level as normalized to β2M, the housekeeping gene. Data are presented as means ± SEM with significant levels set at *P < 0.05, compressed muscle compared to the corresponding control muscle in DMSO and z-VAD-fmk groups. The main effects of compression, inhibitor and interaction (compression x inhibitor) in these animals were analysed using a 2 × 2 ANOVA.