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Skeletal muscle energetics assessed by 31P-NMR in prepubertal girls with a familial predisposition to obesity

International Journal of Obesity volume 25, pages 1300–1308 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether skeletal muscle energetics, measured by in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy during plantar flexion exercise, differ between multiethnic, prepubertal girls with or without a predisposition to obesity.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS: Girls (mean age and body fat±s.d.=8.6±0.3 y and 22.6±4.2%) were recruited according to parental leanness or obesity defined as follows: LN (n=22), two lean parents, LNOB (n=18), one lean and one obese parent; and OB (n=15), two obese parents.

MEASUREMENTS: A 3 min, rest–exercise–recovery plantar flexion protocol was completed. Work was calculated from the force data. Spectra were analyzed for inorganic intracellular phosphate (Pi), phosphocreatine (PCr), Pi/PCr (ratio of the low and high energy phosphates indicating the bioenergetic state of the cell), intracellular pH, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine calf muscle volume.

RESULTS: BMI was lower in the girls in the LN group (15.9±1.5 kg/m2) compared to the OB group (16.7±1.3 kg/m2) of girls (P<0.05), with no difference with the LNOB group (16.7±1.9 kg/m2). Adjusted for muscle volume and cumulative work, no differences in Pi, PCr, Pi/PCr, pH, or ATP were observed among the LN, LNOB and OB groups at rest, the end of exercise, and after 60 and 300 s of recovery. From rest to the end of exercise, Pi and Pi/PCr (mean±s.d.: 0.2±0.1 vs 1.5±1.0) increased, whereas PCr and pH (7.04±0.06 vs 6.95±0.10) decreased (all P<0.001). By 60 s of recovery, Pi and Pi/PCr decreased, whereas PCr and pH increased (all P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Skeletal muscle energetics, specifically Pi/PCr and pH measured during plantar flexion exercise, do not differ between prepubertal girls with or without a familial predisposition to obesity.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the children who participated in the study and B Kertz for study coordination. This study was supported by NIH R29 HD34029 and USDA Agricultural Research Service Cooperative Agreement 6250-51000-023. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the US Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the US Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Human Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    MS Treuth

  2. Department of Pediatrics, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    NF Butte

  3. Division of Radiology, Frensley Center for Imaging Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA

    R Herrick

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  1. MS Treuth
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  3. R Herrick
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Correspondence to MS Treuth.

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Treuth, M., Butte, N. & Herrick, R. Skeletal muscle energetics assessed by 31P-NMR in prepubertal girls with a familial predisposition to obesity. Int J Obes 25, 1300–1308 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801666

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