Muscle Composition Research Articles

A Narrative Review of the Impacts of Obesity on Pulmonary Function and Muscle Strength

Obesity has reached alarming proportions worldwide, requiring close attention and comprehensive knowledge about its health consequences. Obesity today affects people of all ages and socioeconomic levels. This narrative review is devoted to the multifaceted impacts of obesity on pulmonary function and muscle strength. Obesity, characterized by excessive fat accumulation, induces complex physiological changes, transforming adipose tissue into a metabolically dynamic organ. The multifarious nature of obesity causes complicated physiological alterations that affect the whole body. Besides its well-known impacts on metabolic health, obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, challenges the respiratory system mechanically. This review navigates through the mechanical challenges that obesity poses to pulmonary function, elucidating how excess adipose tissue in the abdominal region compromises lung expansion and increases the workload on respiratory muscles. Simultaneously, the review explores the dynamic interplay between obesity and muscle strength. Obesity and muscle strength are linked by metabolic dysfunction, muscle composition changes, and lifestyle variables. Clinical implications of obesity extend beyond metabolic consequences, emphasizing impaired pulmonary function and diminished muscle strength as crucial determinants of clinical outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach involving collaboration among healthcare professionals is advocated, addressing the physiological and psychological factors contributing to obesity.

Effect of distillers yeast in feed on texture, fatty acid profile and antioxidant properties of breast muscle of broiler chickens

This research aimed to assess the impact of replacing a partially of post-extraction soybean meal in the diet with varying amounts of distillers yeast (3, 6 and 9%) on the composition and quality in the pectoral muscles of broiler chickens. Findings revealed that cockerels fed with 3% yeast exhibited elevated oleic acid levels and reduced n-6 fatty acids compared to those fed with 6% and 9% yeast. Furthermore, chickens consuming 3% yeast displayed higher antioxidant capacity (ABTS) and decreased levels of linoleic acid and its ratio to α-linolenic acid compared to the 9% yeast group. Moreover, muscles from cockerels on the 3% yeast diet and the control group demonstratedhigher shear force, lower n-6/n-3 ratio and lipid peroxidation rate (TBARS) than those on the 9% yeast regimen. Conversely, cockerels on the 9% yeast diet exhibited reduced gumminess and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) compared to the control group. The study highlights yeast’s role in altering broiler chicken meat’s fatty acid profile, texture, and antioxidant properties.

Annual Variation in Proximate Chemical Composition of Fish Sold in Ludhiana Market: Punjab, India

A study was carried out to investigate the nutritional composition of four different fish species (Wallago attu, Labeo rohita, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, and Rastrelliger kanagurta) sourced from the inland and marine sector comprising both culture and capture fisheries marketed in Ludhiana fish market from September 2021 to August 2022, encompassing four distinct seasons: post-monsoon, winter, pre-monsoon, and monsoon. The proximate parameters including protein, lipid, carbohydrate, ash and moisture content were analysed following the standard methods. The moisture content across the four species ranged from 72.48% to 81.08% in selected fish. Lowest moisture content was recorded during the pre-monsoon season, contrasting with their highest levels during the monsoon season. Protein levels ranged from 9.72% to 18.36% across different seasons. Specifically, P. hypophthalmus displayed the lowest protein content (9.72±0.18%), while R. kanagurta exhibited the highest (18.36±0.18). W. attu, L. rohita, P. hypophthalmus, and R. kanagurta exhibited their lowest lipid content in flesh during the monsoon season, measuring at 0.69%, 1.59%, 9.33%, and 2.47%, respectively, contrasting with their highest levels during the winter season at 1.07%, 2.05%, 11.04%, and 4.05%, respectively. Across different seasons, carbohydrate content varied from 0.23% to 2.04%. R. kanagurta exhibited the lowest carbohydrate values; while L. rohita displayed the highest. Across different species, ash content varied from 1.62% to 4.34%, with the lowest observed in P. hypophthalmus and the highest in W. attu. Overall in fish muscle, water content reached its peak levels while muscle protein content decreased during the monsoon. The decline in protein and the rise in water content of the muscle were attributed to gonadal development and maturation, which depleted muscle protein reserves during the monsoon season. Inverse relationship between moisture and fat content in fish were observed, suggesting that fatty fish typically exhibit relatively lower moisture content. Lower levels of carbohydrate content are found in the total proximate composition of fish muscle, indicating that most of the glycogen in freshwater fish does not significantly contribute to body reserves.

Beyond weakness: Exploring intramuscular fat and quadriceps atrophy in ACLR recovery.

Muscle weakness following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) increases the risk of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (OA). However, focusing solely on muscle weakness overlooks other aspects like muscle composition, which could hinder strength recovery. Intramuscular fat is a non-contractile element linked to joint degeneration in idiopathic OA, but its role post-ACLR has not been thoroughly investigated. To bridge this gap, we aimed to characterize quadriceps volume and intramuscular fat in participants with ACLR (male/female = 15/9, age = 22.8 ± 3.6 years, body mass index [BMI] = 23.2 ± 1.9, time since surgery = 3.3 ± 0.9 years) and in controls (male/female = 14/10, age = 22.0 ± 3.1 years, BMI = 23.3 ± 2.6) while also exploring the associations between intramuscular fat and muscle volume with isometric strength. Linear mixed effects models assessed (I) muscle volume, (II) intramuscular fat, and (III) strength between limbs (ACLR vs. contralateral vs. control). Regression analyses were run to determine if intramuscular fat or volume were associated with quadriceps strength. The ACLR limb was 8%-11% smaller than the contralateral limb (p < 0.05). No between-limb differences in intramuscular fat were observed (p = 0.091-0.997). Muscle volume but not intramuscular fat was associated with strength in the ACLR and control limbs (p < 0.001-0.002). We demonstrate that intramuscular fat does not appear to be an additional source of quadriceps dysfunction following ACLR and that muscle size only explains some of the variance in muscle strength.

The association of body composition phenotypes before chemotherapy with epithelial ovarian cancer mortality.

The association of body composition with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) mortality is poorly understood. To date, evidence suggests that high adiposity is associated with decreased mortality (an obesity paradox), but the impact of muscle on this association has not been investigated. Herein, we define associations of muscle and adiposity joint-exposure body composition phenotypes with EOC mortality. Body composition from 500 women in the Body Composition and Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Survival Study was dichotomized as normal or low skeletal muscle index (SMI), a proxy for sarcopenia, and high or low adiposity. Four phenotypes were classified as fit (normal SMI and low adiposity; reference; 16.2%), overweight or obese (normal SMI and high adiposity; 51.2%), sarcopenia and overweight or obese (low SMI and high adiposity; 15.6%), and sarcopenia or cachexia (low SMI and low adiposity; 17%). We used multivariable Cox models to estimate associations of each phenotype with mortality for EOC overall and high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). Overweight or obesity was associated with up to 51% and 104% increased mortality in EOC and HGSOC [Hazard Ratio (HR)] = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.05 to 2.19 and HR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.29 to 3.21). Sarcopenia and overweight or obesity was associated with up to 66% and 67% increased mortality in EOC and HGSOC (HR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.13 to 2.45 and HR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.05 to 2.68). Sarcopenia or cachexia was associated with up to 73% and 109% increased mortality in EOC and HGSOC (HR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.14 to 2.63 and HR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.25 to 3.50). Overweight or obesity, sarcopenia and overweight or obesity, and sarcopenia or cachexia phenotypes were each associated with increased mortality in EOC and HGSOC. Exercise and dietary interventions could be leveraged as ancillary treatment strategies for improving outcomes in the most fatal gynecological malignancy with no previously established modifiable prognostic factors.

#1458 Adverse muscle composition predicts all-cause mortality in CKD

Abstract Background and Aims Sarcopenia is common in CKD and associates with morbidity and mortality. A rapid and standardized MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan protocol allows an accurate muscle composition analysis by quantification of skeletal muscle volume and muscle fat infiltration (MFI). The combined observation of low muscle volume and high muscle fat infiltration, i.e. adverse muscle composition (AMC), is a prevalent muscle composition phenotype within CKD and associates to poor function, high prevalence of comorbidity, and an increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). It has also been shown that AMC is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and in general population. In this study we aimed to investigate muscle composition as predictor of all-cause mortality within participants with CKD in the UK Biobank imaging study (UKB). Method This is a prospective study including UKB participants with CKD defined as having an eGFR cystatin C &amp;lt; 60 ml/min/1, 73 m2. A control group was created by matching each participant with CKD for sex, age, and BMI to four participants with normal eGFR. Cystatin C was analyzed based on blood samples at time of study enrolment 7-9 years prior to the MRI. Fat-tissue free thigh muscle volume and MFI were quantified using a rapid neck-to-knee water and fat separated MRI protocol and automated image analysis (AMRA® Researcher). For each participant, a personalized muscle volume z-score (sex- and body size-specific) was calculated and combined with MFI to divide the participants into four muscle composition phenotype groups; 1) normal muscle composition, 2) only low muscle volume, 3) only high MFI and 4) AMC, using previously published thresholds based on the whole UKB cohort. The thresholds were the 25th percentile (&amp;lt; -0.68 SD) for muscle volume z-score and the 75th percentile (men &amp;gt;7.69%; women &amp;gt;8.82%) for MFI. The mortality data were obtained through the UKB´s linkage to national death registries. All-cause mortality was investigated using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. Models within participants with CKD were crude and subsequently adjusted for sex, age, BMI, low hand grip strength (&amp;lt;16/27 kg for females/males), physical activity, smoking, alcohol, and previous diagnosis of cancer, prevalent CHD and type 2 diabetes, all assessed at the time of imaging. Results Conclusion AMC, determined by standardized MRI, was a strong predictor of all-cause mortality in CKD. The study results indicate that CKD patients with poor muscle health, identified as having both low muscle volume z-score and high MFI, have a significantly higher mortality risk. This vulnerable group would potentially benefit from targeted interventions and is also of specific interest when evaluating new treatments for CKD.

GDE5/Gpcpd1 activity determines phosphatidylcholine composition in skeletal muscle and regulates contractile force in mice

Glycerophosphocholine (GPC) is an important precursor for intracellular choline supply in phosphatidylcholine (PC) metabolism. GDE5/Gpcpd1 hydrolyzes GPC into choline and glycerol 3-phosphate; this study aimed to elucidate its physiological function in vivo. Heterozygous whole-body GDE5-deficient mice reveal a significant GPC accumulation across tissues, while homozygous whole-body knockout results in embryonic lethality. Skeletal muscle-specific GDE5 deletion (Gde5 skKO) exhibits reduced passive force and improved fatigue resistance in electrically stimulated gastrocnemius muscles in vivo. GDE5 deficiency also results in higher glycolytic metabolites and glycogen levels, and glycerophospholipids alteration, including reduced levels of phospholipids that bind polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as DHA. Interestingly, this PC fatty acid compositional change is similar to that observed in skeletal muscles of denervated and Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse models. These are accompanied by decrease of GDE5 expression, suggesting a regulatory role of GDE5 activity for glycerophospholipid profiles. Furthermore, a DHA-rich diet enhances contractile force and lowers fatigue resistance, suggesting a functional relationship between PC fatty acid composition and muscle function. Finally, skinned fiber experiments show that GDE5 loss increases the probability of the ryanodine receptor opening and lowers the maximum Ca2+-activated force. Collectively, GDE5 activity plays roles in PC and glucose/glycogen metabolism in skeletal muscle.

Effect of a Simultaneous Increase in Crude Protein and Total Digestible Nutrients Contents on Late Fattening Hanwoo Steers

Background: Shortening the fattening period can reduce production costs and inedible fat, but may simultaneously negatively affect productivity and profitability. We hypothesized that increasing the crude protein and total digestible nutrients (TDN) in the formula feed could address the issues associated with shortened fattening periods without adversely affecting rumen fermentation. This study investigated the effect of a simultaneous increase of crude protein and TDN contents compared to conventional formula feed on growth performance, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics and meat composition of late fattening Hanwoo steers. Methods: Thirty Hanwoo steers were randomly assigned to one of two dietary groups: control group (16.4% crude protein and 83.6% TDN based on dry matter) and treatment group (17.4% crude protein and 84.6% TDN based on dry matter). Result: The rumen parameters were similar between the control and treatment groups. Likewise, the effect of additional crude protein and TDN contents in the formula feed showed no significant impact on the growth performance or blood metabolites. The carcass weight and yield index were slightly higher in the treatment group compared to the control, yet these differences were not statistically significant. Furthermore, the dietary treatment did not affect marbling score, meat color, fat color, texture, maturity, pH, surface colors, drip loss, cooking loss, sensory characteristics, or fatty acid composition in the longissimus muscle.

Effect of dietary inclusion of urea encapsulated in low-trans vegetable fat microspheres on fatty acids intake, carcass traits, quality, and fatty acid composition of lamb meat

This study evaluated the effect of including slow-release urea (SRU) coated from the low-trans vegetable fat (LTFV) microspheres in the diet of lambs on fatty acids intake, carcass traits, meat quality, and fatty acid composition of meat. Thirty-two non-castrated Santa Inês lambs (17.98 ± 2.01 kg of initial weight) were used in a randomized complete block design. Experimental treatments included a control which contained 5 g/kg urea (U0.5%) and three other treatments in which SRU (60% LTFV and 40% urea) was incorporated at 1.25% (SRU1.25%); 2% (SRU2.0%) and 3% (SRU3.0%) of total diet dry matter (DM). The inclusion of SRU in lamb diets increased linearly (P < 0.05) the intake of ether extract, metabolizable energy, and fatty acids. Carcass traits and physical-chemical composition of the Longissimus muscle were not changed by protected urea addition in lamb diet (P > 0.05). The addition of the protected urea in lamb diet linearly increased proportions of CLA and the 18:1 isomer (cis-12, cis-15, and cis-16) compared to U0.5%. There was a linear increase in branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA) content (P = 0.048) in Longissimus muscle due SRU inclusion. There were a quadratic increases for the sums of trans-MUFA (P = 0.003) and n-6 PUFA (P = 0.046) and total PUFA (P = 0.037) as SRU was added to lambs diet. Adding urea coated into low-trans vegetable fat microspheres increased the lamb intake of most FA and energy dietary, however, without affecting carcass traits and meat physicochemical composition. The inclusion of protected urea (SRU) in the lamb diet quadratically increases trans-MUFA, n-6 PUFA, and total PUFA concentrations in meat, and lambs fed with SRU at level 1.25% in DM total diet presented greater CLA and trans-MUFA concentrations compared free urea (U0.5%), which is beneficial from the point of view of the lipid quality of the meat and its relationship with consumer health.

Discrimination of beef composition and sensory quality by using rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (REIMS)

Herein, we investigated the potential of REIMS analysis for classifying muscle composition and meat sensory quality. The study utilized 116 samples from 29 crossbred Angus × Salers, across three muscle types. Prediction models were developed combining REIMS fingerprints and meat quality metrics. Varying efficacy was observed across REIMS discriminations − muscle type (71 %), marbling level (32 %), untrained consumer evaluated tenderness (36 %), flavor liking (99 %) and juiciness (99 %). Notably, REIMS demonstrated the ability to classify 116 beef across four Meat Standards Australia grades with an overall accuracy of 37 %. Specifically, “premium” beef could be differentiated from “unsatisfactory”, “good everyday” and “better than everyday” grades with accuracies of 99 %, 84 %, and 62 %, respectively. Limited efficacy was observed however, in classifying trained panel evaluated sensory quality and fatty acid composition. Additionally, key predictive features were tentatively identified from the REIMS fingerprints primarily comprised of molecular ions present in lipids, phospholipids, and amino acids.

Erosive hand osteoarthritis and sarcopenia: data from Osteoarthritis Initiative cohort

ObjectivesThere is no evidence linking specific osteoarthritis (OA) types, such as erosive hand OA (EHOA), with distant generalised changes in muscle composition (sarcopenia), which can potentially be modified. This study...

Effect of the Bacillus subtilis BS20 on physiological and immune parameters in mutant mice Muc2–/–

Introduction. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common pathology that cannot be completely cured and requires lifelong therapy. One of the promising and sparing therapeutic strategies is the use of probiotics. Unlike Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which represent the basis of most classical probiotics, Bacillus spp. are spore-forming bacteria that contributes to their resistance to the acidic environment of the stomach. It has been shown that the bacteria Bacillus spp. is an effective therapeutic drug for the relief of intestinal diseases with signs of inflammation and bacterial origin. Since the main factors causing IBD are dysbiosis and inflammation, and strains of Bacillus spp. as probiotics can be potential modulators of immunity and influence the intestinal microbiome, it is necessary to search for new strains of probiotic bacteria, including representatives of Bacillus spp., which have an effect on immunity and physiological indicators in experimental models of IBD. The aim of the scientific research — to study the effect of Bacillus subtilis BS20 spores on the physiological and immune parameters of the mutant mouse line Muc2–/–. Research objectives: Investigate survival of Muc2–/– mice, weight, immune parameters (cytokines and immune cells) and amino acid composition of muscles. Materials and methods. Muc2–/– females were fed spores of Bacillus subtilis BS20 in the amount of 109 CFU for 2 months. Analysis of the amino acid composition of the femoral muscle was performed by capillary electrophoresis. The concentration of cytokines in the supernatant was measured using the Magnetic Luminex assay kit. Determination of the number of lymphocytes was performed by flow cytometry. Results. The addition of Bacillus subtilis BS20 to the diet of mice reduced mortality and body weight loss in Muc2–/– females. We found a decrease in interleukin-6 and an increase in interleukin-17 in the descending colon and an increase in B and T helper lymphocytes in the spleen. Conclusion. B. subtilis BS20 improves the general condition of Muc2–/– mutant mice, has an anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating effect, reducing the level of the cytokine interleukin-6 and increasing the percentage of B cells and T helper cells in the spleen.

Effect of distiller’s dried yeast on selected microbiotic fractions and the carcass and meat quality of broiler chickens

Abstract The study was conducted on 112 broiler chickens fed for 35 and 37 days with various levels of distiller’s yeast in diets – 3% in starter, 6% in grower, and 9% in finisher feeds. The results showed that as the level of distiller’s dried yeast in the broiler diets increased, the total number of bacteria in the mucosa of the small intestine, cecum, and colon decreased, including mainly Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, and E. coli. The addition of 9% yeast to the diet significantly reduced the abundance of Lactobacillus sp. in the intestinal mucosa of broiler chickens. There was no significant effect of the level of distiller’s dried yeast in the diet of broiler chickens on carcass quality, pH, water holding capacity, sensory characteristics, and macronutrient and micronutrient content in breast muscle. On the other hand, there was a significant effect of the analyzed distiller’s yeast on color characteristics and basic chemical composition of breast muscle. The highest lightness (L*), yellowness (b*), and chroma (C*) and the lowest dry matter content were found in the meat of chickens receiving 6% and 9% distiller’s dried yeast in their diets. The results of the study indicate that for the best results in terms of carcass and meat quality, the optimal content of the analyzed yeast in the diet of broiler chickens should not exceed 3%.

Abdominal Aortic Calcification is Associated with Degeneration of The Paraspinal Muscles - A Retrospective cross-sectional Study.

Retrospective cohort study. To analyze the relationship of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and a reduction in the cross-sectional area (CSA) and the fatty infiltration (FI) of the paravertebral muscles in patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery. Both AAC and paraspinal muscle degeneration have been shown to be associated with poorer outcomes after surgical treatment of degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine. However, there is a lack of data on the association between AAC and paraspinal muscle changes in patients undergoing spine surgery. We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing lumbar fusion for degenerative spinal pathologies. Muscular and spinal degeneration were measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). AAC was classified on lateral lumbar radiographs. The association of AAC and paraspinal muscle composition was assessed by a multivariate regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and lumbar degeneration. A total of 301 patients was included. Patients with AAC showed significantly higher degrees of intervertebral disc and facet joint degeneration as well as higher total endplate scores at the L3/4 level. The univariable regression analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the degree of AAC and the FI of the erector spinae (b=0.530, P<0.001) and multifidus (b=0.730, P<0.001). The multivariable regression analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the degree of AAC and the FI of the erector spinae (b=0.270, P=0.006) and a significant negative correlation between the degree of AAC and the CSA of the psoas muscle (b=-0.260, P=0.003). This study demonstrates a significant and independent association between AAC and degeneration of the erector spinae and the psoas muscles in patients undergoing lumbar fusion. As both AAC and degeneration of paraspinal muscles impact postoperative outcomes negatively, preoperative assessment of AAC may aid in identifying patients at higher risk after lumbar surgery.

Utilizing a novel MRI technique to identify adverse muscle composition in end-stage liver disease: A pilot study

Introduction and ObjectivesSarcopenia is a common complication of end-stage liver disease (ESLD), but its exact relationship to myosteatosis and frailty remains unclear. In this pilot study, we tested the feasibility of a specialized MRI protocol and automated image analysis in patients with ESLD. Materials and MethodsIn a single-center prospective study, adult liver transplant candidates with ESLD underwent assessment of muscle composition between 3/2022 and 6/2022 using the AMRA® MAsS Scan. The primary outcome of interest was feasibility of the novel MRI technique in patients with ESLD. We also tested if thigh muscle composition correlated with validated measures of frailty and sarcopenia. ResultsEighteen subjects (71 % male, mean age 59 years) were enrolled. The most common etiologies of cirrhosis were alcohol-related liver disease (44 %) and non-alcohol-associated fatty liver disease (33 %), with a mean MELD-Na of 13 (± 4). The mean time needed to complete the MRI protocol was 14.9 min and only one patient could not complete it due to metal hardware in both knees. Forty-one percent of patients had adverse muscle composition (high thigh fat infiltration and low-fat free muscle volume) and these patients were more likely to have undergone a recent large volume paracentesis (43 % vs. 0 %, p < 0.02). The adverse muscle composition group performed significantly worse on the 6-minute walk test compared to the remainder of the cohort (379 vs 470 m, p < 0.01). ConclusionsThe AMRA® MAsS Scan is feasible to perform in patients with ESLD and can be used to quantify myosteatosis, a marker of muscle quality and potentially muscle functionality in ESLD.

Effects of different dietary energy levels on growth performance, meat quality and nutritional composition, rumen fermentation parameters, and rumen microbiota of fattening Angus steers.

This study investigates the effects of varying energy levels in diets on Black Angus steers, focusing on growth performance, muscle composition, rumen microbial community, and their interrelationships. Twenty-seven Black Angus steers, aged approximately 22 months and weighing 520 ± 40 kilograms, were randomly divided into three groups: low-energy (LE), medium-energy (ME), and high-energy (HE). Each group consisted of nine individuals. The steers were fed diets with energy levels of 6.657 MJ/kg (LE), 7.323 MJ/kg (ME), and 7.990 MJ/kg (HE) following a 14-day pre-feeding period, with a subsequent 90-day main experimental phase. After the 90-day feeding period, both the HE and ME groups exhibited significantly higher average daily weight gain (ADG) compared to the LE group (p < 0.05). The feed-to-weight ratios were lower in the HE and ME groups compared to the LE group (p < 0.05). The HE group showed significantly higher crude fat content in the longissimus dorsi muscle compared to the LE group (p < 0.05), with total fatty acid content in the muscle surpassing that in the ME and LE groups (p < 0.05). As dietary energy levels increased, the diversity of the rumen microbial community decreased (p < 0.05), and significant differences in bacterial community structure were observed between the LE and HE groups (p < 0.05). The results suggest that higher dietary energy levels enhance growth performance and alter muscle composition in Black Angus steers, while also influencing the rumen microbial community. This study contributes to understanding optimal dietary strategies for finishing Angus cattle to improve beef quality, economic returns, and the development of standardized production procedures.

Evaluation of serum electrolyte abnormalities in type II diabetic patients presenting in Gulab Devi hospital, Lahore

Background: The hallmark of diabetes mellitus (DM) is hyperglycemia brought on by an absolute or relative insulin shortage. Globally, the prevalence of DM is a major cause for worry. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that 26.7% of Pakistan's adult population would have diabetes in 2022, totalling over 33,000,000 cases 1. Patients with diabetes are more likely to experience electrolyte imbalances, which may be caused by an imbalance in the distribution of electrolytes. Electrolytes play a vital role in the maintenance of blood acid-base balance, composition of body fluids, blood clotting, muscle and nerve conduction. Impaired electrolytes balance in diabetics may lead to micro and macrovascular complications. Aims and objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate disturbances in serum electrolytes including Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+) and Chloride (Cl) in Type II diabetics. Methodology: This has been a descriptive cross-sectional study where random sampling technique was used. 3cc clotted blood samples of 100 Type II diabetic patients were collected from diabetic OPD and medicine wards of Gulab Devi Chest Hospital Lahore and processed in the Pathology lab of Gulab Devi Educational Complex. Results: Out of 100 samples of type II diabetic patients, there were 65 patients in which serum sodium levels were decreased. Serum potassium and serum chloride were slightly increased in some patients. Conclusion: In this study, serum sodium levels were significantly decreased in type II diabetic patients, while no significant alteration was observed in serum potassium and chloride levels. Serum electrolytes should be routinely measured in diabetics to prevent complications.

Assessment of fish protein hydrolysate as a substitute for fish meal in white shrimp diets: Impact on growth, immune response, and resistance against Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection

This study investigated the effects of fish protein hydrolysate derived from barramundi on growth performance, muscle composition, immune response, disease resistance, histology and gene expression in white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). In vitro studies demonstrated FPH enhanced mRNA expressions of key immune-related genes and stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and phagocytic activity in shrimp hemocytes. To evaluate the effects of substituting fish meal with FPH in vivo, four isoproteic (43 %), isolipidic (6 %), and isoenergetic diets (489 kcal/100 g) were formulated with fish meal substitution levels of 0 % (control), 30 % (FPH30), 65 % (FPH65), and 100 % (FPH100). After 8-week feeding, the growth performance of FPH65 and FPH100 were significantly lower than that of control and FPH30 (p < 0.05). Similarly, the midgut histological examination revealed the wall thickness and villi height of FPH100 were significantly lower than those of control (p < 0.05). The shrimps were received the challenge of AHPND + Vibrio parahaemolyticus at week 4 and 8. All FPH-fed groups significantly enhanced resistance against Vibrio parahaemolyticus at week 4 (p < 0.05). However, this protective effect diminished after long-period feeding. No significant difference of survival rate was observed among all groups at week 8 (p > 0.05). The expressions of immune-related genes were analyzed at week 4 before and after challenge. In control group, V. parahaemolyticus significantly elevated SOD in hepatopancreas and Muc 19, trypsin, Midline-fas, and GPx in foregut (p < 0.05). Moreover, hepatopancreatic SOD of FPH65 and FPH100 were significantly higher than that of control before challenge (p < 0.05). Immune parameters were measured at week 8. Compared with control, the phagocytic index of FPH 30 was significantly higher (p < 0.05). However, dietary FPH did not alter ROS production, phenoloxidase activity, phagocytic rate, and total hemocyte count (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that FPH30 holds promise as a feed without adverse impacts on growth performance while enhancing the immunological response of white shrimp.

Gut-muscle axis: establishing the connection between microbial signaling and skeletal muscle function in a mouse model (mdx) of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The metabolic and endocrine nature of skeletal muscle allows for systemic signaling and influence over the enteric environment influencing gut microbial populations. Concomitantly, commensal microbial signaling can alter the composition and development of skeletal muscle forming a bidirectional gut-muscle axis. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal neuromuscular disease characterised by skeletal muscle atrophy, fibrosis, and ultimately cardiorespiratory failure. Previous studies have shown that gut microbial signaling can alter the pathways involved in muscle atrophy, enhancing atrophy when dysbiotic, or blunting the atrophic effect by restoring gut microbial populations to a healthy status; thus, we sought to characterize the metabolic signaling between the gut and the diaphragm in a mouse model of DMD ( mdx) to identify potential therapeutic targets. The study was divided into two arms and conducted following institutional ethical approval. The first arm investigated metabolomic signalling. 6-month-old male BL10 wildtype (WT; n = 12) and mdx (n = 12) mice were anaesthetized (induction by 5% isoflurane) and decapitated. Following collection of trunk blood, the diaphragm was excised, and colonic/cecal contents were collected. The samples were then processed by mass-spectrometry to isolate the metabolomic profiles of semi-polar, secondary bile acid, and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) targets in the gut, plasma and diaphragm of WT and mdx mice. The second arm of the study explored the gut microbial profile and diaphragm gene expression, structure and function. 6-month-old male WT (n = 15) and mdx (n = 15) were anesthetized (induction by 5% isoflurane) followed by cervical dislocation. The diaphragm was excised, and longitudinal strips were isolated for structural analysis (i.e., histological staining and immunohistochemistry for fibre type and size), PCR gene expression, and isometric force assessment ex vivo. Additionally, faecal pellets were collected and analysed via shotgun metagenomic sequencing to assess microbial populations. Diaphragm twitch and tetanic force in mdx were profoundly decreased compared to WT. Metabolic analysis of faecal metabolites indicated impairment in the three main tryptophan metabolic pathways in mdx mice: kynurenine, indole and serotonin. Metagenomic analysis indicated a profound genotype effect between WT and mdx gut microbial populations. Two main producers of the short chain fatty acid acetate (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) were significantly decreased within the mdx group. Acetate serves as a substate in the TCA cycle contributing to ATP production and positively affects skeletal muscle via numerous pathways including the down regulation of key atrogenes associated with atrophy. Pathway enrichment analysis showed a global disruption to both purine and pyrimidine metabolism in all three tissue types. Purine/pyrimidine metabolism have been tightly linked with microbial metabolism and affect skeletal muscle health and function. Further understanding of the gut-muscle axis in dystrophic models may pave the way for novel microbiota-directed therapeutic strategies to ameliorate muscle dysfunction in DMD. Funded by Science Foundation Ireland SFI/19/6628 INSPIRE DMD. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Georg Schmorl Prize of the German Spine Society (DWG) 2023: the influence of sarcopenia and paraspinal muscle composition on patient-reported outcomes: a prospective investigation of lumbar spinal fusion patients with 12-month follow-up.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of sarcopenia and lumbar paraspinal muscle composition (PMC) on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after lumbar fusion surgery with 12-month follow-up (12M-FU). A prospective investigation of patients undergoing elective lumbar fusion was conducted. Preoperative MRI-based evaluation of the cross-sectional area (CSA), the functional CSA (fCSA), and the fat infiltration(FI) of the posterior paraspinal muscles (PPM) and the psoas muscle at level L3 was performed. Sarcopenia was defined by the psoas muscle index (PMI) at L3 (CSAPsoas [cm2]/(patients' height [m])2). PROs included Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 12-item Short Form Healthy Survey with Physical (PCS-12) and Mental Component Scores (MCS-12) and Numerical Rating Scale back and leg (NRS-L) pain before surgery and 12months postoperatively. Univariate and multivariable regression determined associations among sarcopenia, PMC and PROs. 135 patients (52.6% female, 62.1years, BMI 29.1kg/m2) were analyzed. The univariate analysis demonstrated that a higher FI (PPM) was associated with worse ODI outcomes at 12M-FU in males. Sarcopenia (PMI) and higher FI (PPM) were associated with worse ODI and MCS-12 at 12M-FU in females. Sarcopenia and higher FI of the PPM are associated with worse PCS-12 and more leg pain in females. In the multivariable analysis, a higher preoperative FI of the PPM (β = 0.442; p = 0.012) and lower FI of the psoas (β = -0.439; p = 0.029) were associated with a worse ODI at 12M-FU after adjusting for covariates. Preoperative FI of the psoas and the PPM are associated with worse ODI outcomes one year after lumbar fusion. Sarcopenia is associated with worse ODI, PCS-12 and NRS-L in females, but not males. Considering sex differences, PMI and FI of the PPM might be used to counsel patients on their expectations for health-related quality of life after lumbar fusion.