Two Weeks of Reduced Activity Decreases Leg Lean Mass and Induces “Anabolic Resistance” of Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis in Healthy Elderly

Background: Alterations in muscle protein metabolism underlie age-related muscle atrophy. During periods of muscle disuse, muscle protein synthesis is blunted, and muscle atrophy occurs in young and old. The impact of a short reduction in physical activity on muscle protein metabolism in older adult...

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Published in:The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2013-06, Vol.98 (6), p.2604-2612
Main Authors: Breen, Leigh, Stokes, Keith A, Churchward-Venne, Tyler A, Moore, Daniel R, Baker, Stephen K, Smith, Kenneth, Atherton, Philip J, Phillips, Stuart M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Amino Acids - blood
Biological and medical sciences
Blood Glucose - analysis
Body Composition
C-Reactive Protein - analysis
Diet
Endocrinopathies
Energy Metabolism
Exercise
Feeding. Feeding behavior
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Insulin Resistance
Leg
Male
Medical sciences
Muscle Proteins - biosynthesis
Myofibrils - metabolism
Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa - metabolism
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
Vertebrates: endocrinology
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Summary:Background: Alterations in muscle protein metabolism underlie age-related muscle atrophy. During periods of muscle disuse, muscle protein synthesis is blunted, and muscle atrophy occurs in young and old. The impact of a short reduction in physical activity on muscle protein metabolism in older adults is unknown. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of 14 days of reduced daily steps on fasted and fed-state rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS) to provide insight into the mechanisms for changes in muscle mass and markers of metabolic health. Methods: Before and after 14 days of reduced daily step-count, 10 healthy older adults (age, 72 ± 1 y) underwent measures of insulin sensitivity, muscle strength, physical function, and body composition. Using a primed constant infusion of L-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine with serial muscle biopsies, basal, postabsorptive, and postprandial rates of MPS were determined before and after the 14-day intervention. Results: Daily step-count was reduced by approximately 76% to 1413 ± 110 steps per day. Leg fat-free mass was reduced by approximately 3.9% (P < .001). Postabsorptive insulin resistance was increased by approximately 12%, and postprandial insulin sensitivity was reduced by approximately 43% after step reduction (P < .005). Concentrations of TNF-α and C-reactive protein were increased by approximately 12 and 25%, respectively, after step reduction (P < .05). Postprandial rates of MPS were reduced by approximately 26% after the intervention (P = .028), with no difference in postabsorptive rates. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that 14 days of reduced steps in older adults induces small but measurable reductions in muscle mass that appear to be underpinned by reductions in postprandial MPS and are accompanied by impairments in insulin sensitivity and systemic inflammatory markers and postprandial MPS.
ISSN:0021-972X
1945-7197
DOI:10.1210/jc.2013-1502