Acute Energy Deprivation Affects Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis and Associated Intracellular Signaling Proteins in Physically Active Adults

Abstract

To date, few studies have characterized the influence of energy deprivation on direct measures of skeletal muscle protein turnover. In this investigation, we characterized the effect of an acute, moderate energy deficit (10 d) on mixed muscle fractional synthetic rate (FSR) and associated intracellular signaling proteins in physically active adults. Eight men and 4 women participated in a 20-d, 2-phase diet intervention study: weight maintenance (WM) and energy deficient (ED; ∼80% of estimated energy requirements). Dietary protein (1.5 g · kg−1 · d−1) and fat (∼30% of total energy) were constant for WM and ED. FSR and intracellular signaling proteins were measured on d 10 of both interventions using a primed, constant infusion of [2H5]-phenylalanine and Western blotting techniques, respectively. Participants lost ∼1 kg body weight during ED (P < 0.0001). FSR was reduced ∼19% (P < 0.05) for ED (0.06 ± 0.01%/h) compared with WM (0.074 ± 0.01%/h). Protein kinase B and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 phosphorylation were lower (P < 0.05) during ED compared with WM. AMP activated protein kinase phosphorylation decreased (P < 0.05) over time regardless of energy status. These findings show that FSR and associated synthetic intracellular signaling proteins are downregulated in response to an acute, moderate energy deficit in physically active adults and provide a basis for future studies assessing the impact of prolonged, and perhaps more severe, energy restriction on skeletal muscle protein turnover.