Whole-body Parameters Research Articles

Skeletal muscle specific mitochondrial dysfunction and altered energy metabolism in a murine model (oim/oim) of severe osteogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable connective tissue disorder with patients exhibiting bone fragility and muscle weakness. The synergistic biochemical and biomechanical relationship between bone and muscle is a critical potential therapeutic target, such that muscle weakness should not be ignored. Previous studies demonstrated mitochondrial dysfunction in the skeletal muscle of oim/oim mice, which model a severe human type III OI. Here, we further characterize this mitochondrial dysfunction and evaluate several parameters of whole body and skeletal muscle metabolism. We demonstrate reduced mitochondrial respiration in female gastrocnemius muscle, but not in liver or heart mitochondria, suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction is not global in the oim/oim mouse. Myosin heavy chain fiber type distributions were altered in the oim/oim soleus muscle with a decrease (−33 to 50%) in type I myofibers and an increase (+31%) in type IIa myofibers relative to their wildtype (WT) littermates. Additionally, altered body composition and increased energy expenditure were observed oim/oim mice relative to WT littermates. These results suggest that skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to whole body metabolic alterations and to skeletal muscle weakness in the oim/oim mouse.

High protein consumption in trained women: bad to the bone?

BackgroundIt has been posited that the consumption of extra protein (> 0.8 g/kg/d) may be deleterious to bone mineral content. However, there is no direct evidence to show that consuming a high-protein diet results in a demineralization of the skeleton. Thus, the primary endpoint of this randomized controlled trial was to determine if a high-protein diet affected various parameters of whole body and lumbar bone mineral content in exercise-trained women.MethodsTwenty-four women volunteered for this 6-month investigation (n = 12 control, n = 12 high-protein). The control group was instructed to consume their habitual diet; however, the high-protein group was instructed to consume ≥2.2 g of protein per kilogram body weight daily (g/kg/d). Body composition was assessed via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Subjects were instructed to keep a food diary via the mobile app MyFitnessPal®. Exercise or activity level was not controlled. Subjects were asked to maintain their current levels of exercise.ResultsDuring the 6-month treatment period, there was a significant difference in protein intake between the control and high-protein groups (mean±SD; control: 1.5±0.3, high-protein: 2.8±1.1 g/kg/d); however, there were no differences in the consumption total calories, carbohydrate or fat. Whole body bone mineral density did not change in the control (pre: 1.22±0.08, post: 1.22±0.09 g/cm2) or high-protein group (pre: 1.25±0.11, post: 1.24±0.10 g/cm2). Similarly, lumbar bone mineral density did not change in the control (pre: 1.08±0.16, post: 1.05±0.13 g/cm2) or high-protein group (pre: 1.07±0.11, post: 1.08±0.12 g/cm2). In addition, there were no changes in whole body or lumbar T-Scores in either group. Furthermore, there were no changes in fat mass or lean body mass.ConclusionDespite an 87% higher protein intake (high-protein versus control), 6 months of a high-protein diet had no effect on whole body bone mineral density, lumbar bone mineral density, T-scores, lean body mass or fat mass.

Splanchnic and whole body L-[1-13C,15N]leucine kinetics in relation to enteral and parenteral amino acid supply.

The effect of the route of administration of a complete amino acid solution (0.24 g.kg-1.h-1) on leucine (Leu) and alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC) metabolism in the splanchnic region (Sp) was assessed in nine chronically catherized mongrel dogs receiving, for 6 h, amino acids by jugular vein (PN feeding). Results were compared with those obtained previously [Y. M. Yu, D. A. Wagner, E. E. Tredget, J.A. Waleszewski, J. F. Burke, and V. R. Young. Am. J. Physiol. 259 (Endocrinol. Metab. 22): E36-E51, 1990] in eight dogs similarly studied but given amino acids by constant enteral feeding (EN). We used primed continuous intravenous infusions of L-[1-13C,15N]Leu and measurements of arteriovenous isotope and Leu balance across the gut, liver, and Sp to estimate parameters of whole body and organ Leu metabolism [Leu-N and Leu-C flux, Leu----KIC; KIC----Leu, Leu oxidation and rates of Leu appearance (B) from and disappearance (S) into proteins]. Whole body Leu kinetics were the same for both routes of amino acid administration. With PN, KIC----Leu, Leu----KIC, and total metabolic processing were lower than for EN in Sp, and overall Leu balance (S - B) was higher in Sp for EN. Leu appearance from protein breakdown in gut was higher with PN. The rate of KIC----Leu was higher in liver for EN. These findings reveal that route of amino acid (Leu) administration, under these acute feeding conditions, alters the processing and metabolic fate of Leu in Sp but that whole body parameters of Leu metabolism are stable. The implications of these metabolic findings in relation to the maintenance of intestinal function and integrity are discussed.

Puberty in female rats: relative effect of exercise and food restriction

Reproductive development in relation to growth and fat deposition was compared in three groups of female rats: a group that was allowed to grow only slowly by requiring them to work hard on a running wheel for their food; a group in which the same slow rate of growth was imposed by restricting their food intake, but without an exercise requirement; and a normally growing, nonexercising, ad libitum-fed, control group. Animals forced to run for their food experienced vaginal opening at a significantly lower body weight than either of the other two groups. The same trend was apparent for the first ovulation, but not significant. Thus the present results suggest that, under some conditions, intense exercise may actually accelerate rather than decelerate reproductive development, at least relative to body weight. With the possible exception of body weight, none of the whole-body parameters measured in this experiment (body weight, growth rate, or amount of fat) were found to be critically related to the first ovulation when all three groups of females were considered as a unit. Thus the present results also argue against some of the current hypotheses, all developed using dietary manipulation, that the onset of fertility is somehow dependent on one of these factors.

Effect of malathion exposure on some physical parameters of whole body and on tissue cations of teleost,Tilapia mossambica (Peters)

Exposure of fish to a sublethal (2 mg/litre/48h) concentration of malathion showed no significant changes in any of the physical parameters investigated like, body weight and body water content, while the oxygen consumption of the fish showed a consistent increase upto 24 h and later declined to 8% suggesting the reduction of oxidative metabolism at the end of 48 h. The sodium, potassium and calcium ions showed a remarkable decrease in all the tissues of malathion-exposed fish, suggesting the loss of ions from the body of these fish. The results suggested that the regulation of osmotic balance may occur by an effective operation of the salt pump rather than the water pump.