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Nutrition, infection and skeletal muscle function

Nutrition, infection and skeletal muscle function
Nutrition, infection and skeletal muscle function

The influence of nutrition on skeletal muscle function is not clearly understood. In particular the changes that may occur within the muscle have not been addressed independently of those occurring via central or cardiovascular mechanisms. In addition the manner in which concurrent infection may further influence muscle function is unknown. The influence of food deprivation, food restriction, consumption of low protein diets and endotoxin administration on the in situ function of skeletal muscle was investigated in male wistar rats using novel computer-aided techniques. Specifically, three muscles were chosen for study to reflect the different muscle fibre types. In addition, the resting metabolite profile was examined. Twitch, tetanic and fatigue characteristics were preserved following fasting, food restriction and endotoxin administration. Deficits in function were only observed in food restricted animals compared to those animals allowed to grow normally (age-matched, heavier animals). Following consumption of low protein diets animals were stunted and wasted. These animals exhibited prolongation of the soleus muscle twitch time, shifts in the force-frequency relationship and a tendency for increased fatigue. Preservation of force generation was noted despite loss of muscle tissue. Endotoxin administration to animals consuming low protein diets did not further alter the twitch characteristics, but all three muscle types studied exhibited shifts in the force-frequency relationship and further increases in fatigue susceptibility. No changes in muscle metabolite concentrations were discernible in any animals. The relevance of these results in relation to the lower physical working capacity reported in malnourished labourers is discussed.

University of Southampton
Levy, Louis Bernard
3bf1cda1-9136-401c-bf61-c8dd03e5d426
Levy, Louis Bernard
3bf1cda1-9136-401c-bf61-c8dd03e5d426

Levy, Louis Bernard (1990) Nutrition, infection and skeletal muscle function. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

The influence of nutrition on skeletal muscle function is not clearly understood. In particular the changes that may occur within the muscle have not been addressed independently of those occurring via central or cardiovascular mechanisms. In addition the manner in which concurrent infection may further influence muscle function is unknown. The influence of food deprivation, food restriction, consumption of low protein diets and endotoxin administration on the in situ function of skeletal muscle was investigated in male wistar rats using novel computer-aided techniques. Specifically, three muscles were chosen for study to reflect the different muscle fibre types. In addition, the resting metabolite profile was examined. Twitch, tetanic and fatigue characteristics were preserved following fasting, food restriction and endotoxin administration. Deficits in function were only observed in food restricted animals compared to those animals allowed to grow normally (age-matched, heavier animals). Following consumption of low protein diets animals were stunted and wasted. These animals exhibited prolongation of the soleus muscle twitch time, shifts in the force-frequency relationship and a tendency for increased fatigue. Preservation of force generation was noted despite loss of muscle tissue. Endotoxin administration to animals consuming low protein diets did not further alter the twitch characteristics, but all three muscle types studied exhibited shifts in the force-frequency relationship and further increases in fatigue susceptibility. No changes in muscle metabolite concentrations were discernible in any animals. The relevance of these results in relation to the lower physical working capacity reported in malnourished labourers is discussed.

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Published date: 1990

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Local EPrints ID: 462292
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/462292
PURE UUID: 5085aeba-c9fe-45e4-b4f8-fff586d79fb9

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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 19:05
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 18:55

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Author: Louis Bernard Levy

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