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Daniels M, Margolis LM, Rood JC, Lieberman HR, Pasiakos SM, Karl JP. Comparative analysis of circulating metabolomic profiles identifies shared metabolic alterations across distinct multistressor military training exercises. Physiol Genomics 2024; 56:457-468. [PMID: 38738316 PMCID: PMC11368567 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00008.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Military training provides insight into metabolic responses under unique physiological demands that can be comprehensively characterized by global metabolomic profiling to identify potential strategies for improving performance. This study identified shared changes in metabolomic profiles across three distinct military training exercises, varying in magnitude and type of stress. Blood samples collected before and after three real or simulated military training exercises were analyzed using the same untargeted metabolomic profiling platform. Exercises included a 2-wk survival training course (ST, n = 36), a 4-day cross-country ski march arctic training (AT, n = 24), and a 28-day controlled diet- and exercise-induced energy deficit (CED, n = 26). Log2-fold changes of greater than ±1 in 191, 121, and 64 metabolites were identified in the ST, AT, and CED datasets, respectively. Most metabolite changes were within the lipid (57-63%) and amino acid metabolism (18-19%) pathways and changes in 87 were shared across studies. The largest and most consistent increases in shared metabolites were found in the acylcarnitine, fatty acid, ketone, and glutathione metabolism pathways, whereas the largest decreases were in the diacylglycerol and urea cycle metabolism pathways. Multiple shared metabolites were consistently correlated with biomarkers of inflammation, tissue damage, and anabolic hormones across studies. These three studies of real and simulated military training revealed overlapping alterations in metabolomic profiles despite differences in environment and the stressors involved. Consistent changes in metabolites related to lipid metabolism, ketogenesis, and oxidative stress suggest a potential common metabolomic signature associated with inflammation, tissue damage, and suppression of anabolic signaling that may characterize the unique physiological demands of military training.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The extent to which metabolomic responses are shared across diverse military training environments is unknown. Global metabolomic profiling across three distinct military training exercises identified shared metabolic responses with the largest changes observed for metabolites related to fatty acids, acylcarnitines, ketone metabolism, and oxidative stress. These changes also correlated with alterations in markers of tissue damage, inflammation, and anabolic signaling and comprise a potential common metabolomic signature underlying the unique physiological demands of military training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Daniels
- Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, United States
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States
| | - Lee M Margolis
- Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Jennifer C Rood
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
| | - Harris R Lieberman
- Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, United States
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - J Philip Karl
- Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, United States
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Ponce T, Mainenti MRM, Barros T, Cahuê FLC, Fernanda Martins Dos Santos C, Piazera BKL, Salerno VP, Vaisman M. Biochemical and Hormone Markers in Firefighters: Effects of "Search, Rescue, and Survival Training" and Its Recovery. J Strength Cond Res 2024; 38:e189-e201. [PMID: 38266224 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000004695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Ponce, T, Mainenti, MRM, de Barros, T, Cahuê, FLC, Fernanda, C, Piazera, BKL, Salerno, VP, and Vaisman, M. Biochemical and hormone markers in firefighters: effects of "search, rescue, and survival training" and its recovery. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): e189-e201, 2024-This study aimed to evaluate the hormonal and biochemical responses in military firefighter cadets to a search, rescue, and survival training (SRST) course. Forty-three male volunteers participated in the SRST over 15 days consisting of intense physical effort, sleep deprivation, and a survival period with food deprivation. At 3 timepoints (baseline, SRST, and 1 week rec), subjects submitted to blood collections, body composition examinations, physical performance evaluations, and cognitive function tests. After the SRST, lower values were registered for testosterone (764.0; 565.1-895.0 to 180.6; 133.6-253.5 ng·dl -1 ) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (217; 180-238 to 116; 102-143 ng·ml -1 ). Increases were observed for cortisol (9.7; 8.2-11.7 to 18.3; 16.5-21,2 μg·dl -1 ), growth hormone (GH) (0.11; 0.06-0.20 to 2.17; 1.4-3.4 ng·ml -1 ), CP, GSSG, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase as well as the antioxidant response of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. The values of gamma-glutamyl transferase were reduced. After 1 week of recovery, levels of GH, creatine kinase, GSH, and GSSG returned to baseline values ( p < 0.05). Vertical jump performance presented a regular positive correlation with testosterone (rho = 0.56 and p < 0.0001) and a strong negative correlation with cortisol (rho = -0.61 and p < 0.0001). Body fat showed a regular and positive correlation with both testosterone and IGF-1. We conclude that participation in the SRST caused significant hormonal and biochemical changes in individuals that correlated with a loss in physical performance. Importantly, the results suggest the need for longer recovery times before a return to normal military duties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thalita Ponce
- Department of Physical Education, Dom Pedro II Military Firefighter Academy (ABMDPII), Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Biosciences, Physical Education and Sports College of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (EEFD/UFRJ), State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Internal Medicine-Endocrinology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (FM-UFRJ), State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and
| | | | - Thiago Barros
- Department of Physical Education, Dom Pedro II Military Firefighter Academy (ABMDPII), Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Biosciences, Physical Education and Sports College of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (EEFD/UFRJ), State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabio Luiz Cândido Cahuê
- Department of Biosciences, Physical Education and Sports College of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (EEFD/UFRJ), State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Camilli Fernanda Martins Dos Santos
- Department of Biosciences, Physical Education and Sports College of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (EEFD/UFRJ), State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruna Karoline Lima Piazera
- Department of Biosciences, Physical Education and Sports College of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (EEFD/UFRJ), State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Verônica P Salerno
- Department of Biosciences, Physical Education and Sports College of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (EEFD/UFRJ), State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mario Vaisman
- Department of Internal Medicine-Endocrinology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (FM-UFRJ), State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and
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Lieberman HR, Caldwell JA, Vartanian O, Carmichael OT, Karl JP, Berryman CE, Gadde KM, Niro PJ, Harris MN, Rood JC, Pasiakos SM. Effects of testosterone enanthate on aggression, risk-taking, competition, mood, and other cognitive domains during 28 days of severe energy deprivation. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:461-478. [PMID: 38038817 PMCID: PMC10884082 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06502-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Behavioral effects of testosterone depend on dose, acute versus sustained formulation, duration of administration, personality, genetics, and endogenous levels of testosterone. There are also considerable differences between effects of endogenous and exogenous testosterone. OBJECTIVES This study was the secondary behavioral arm of a registered clinical trial designed to determine if testosterone protects against loss of lean body mass and lower-body muscle function induced by a severe energy deficit typical of sustained military operations. METHODS Behavioral effects of repeated doses of testosterone on healthy young men whose testosterone was reduced by severe energy deficit were examined. This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-group study. Effects of four weekly intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate (200 mg/week, N = 24) or matching placebo (N = 26) were evaluated. Determination of sample size was based on changes in lean body mass. Tasks assessing aggression, risk-taking, competition, social cognition, vigilance, memory, executive function, and mood were repeatedly administered. RESULTS During a period of artificially induced, low testosterone levels, consistent behavioral effects of administration of exogenous testosterone were not observed. CONCLUSIONS Exogeneous testosterone enanthate (200 mg/week) during severe energy restriction did not reliably alter the measures of cognition. Study limitations include the relatively small sample size compared to many studies of acute testosterone administration. The findings are specific to healthy males experiencing severe energy deficit and should not be generalized to effects of other doses, formulations, or acute administration of endogenous testosterone or studies conducted with larger samples using tests of cognitive function designed to detect specific effects of testosterone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harris R Lieberman
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, 01760-5007, USA.
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - John A Caldwell
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, 01760-5007, USA
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Laulima Government Solutions, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Oshin Vartanian
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Defence Research and Development Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Owen T Carmichael
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - J Philip Karl
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, 01760-5007, USA
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Claire E Berryman
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, 01760-5007, USA
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Kishore M Gadde
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Philip J Niro
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, 01760-5007, USA
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Melissa N Harris
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Jennifer C Rood
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, 01760-5007, USA
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Anderson RE, Casperson SL, Kho H, Flack KD. The Role of Dietary Protein in Body Weight Regulation among Active-Duty Military Personnel during Energy Deficit: A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2023; 15:3948. [PMID: 37764730 PMCID: PMC10536394 DOI: 10.3390/nu15183948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Active-duty military personnel are subjected to sustained periods of energy deficit during combat and training, leaving them susceptible to detrimental reductions in body weight. The importance of adequate dietary protein intake during periods of intense physical training is well established, where previous research has primarily focused on muscle protein synthesis, muscle recovery, and physical performance. Research on how protein intake may influence body weight regulation in this population is lacking; therefore, the objective of this review was to evaluate the role of dietary protein in body weight regulation among active-duty military during an energy deficit. A literature search based on fixed inclusion and exclusion criteria was performed. English language peer-reviewed journal articles from inception to 3 June 2023 were selected for extraction and quality assessment. Eight studies were identified with outcomes described narratively. The study duration ranged from eight days to six months. Protein was directly provided to participants in all studies except for one. Three studies supplied additional protein via supplementation. The Downs and Black Checklist was used to assess study quality. Five studies were classified as good, two as fair, and one as excellent. All studies reported mean weight loss following energy deficit: the most severe was 4.0 kg. Protein dose during energy deficit varied from 0.5 g/kg/day to 2.4 g/kg/day. Six studies reported mean reductions in fat mass, with the largest being 4.5 kg. Four studies reported mean reductions in fat-free mass, while two studies reported an increase. Results support the recommendation that greater than 0.8 g/kg/day is necessary to mitigate the impact of energy deficit on a decline in lean body mass, while intakes up to 1.6 g/kg/day may be preferred. However, exact recommendations cannot be inferred as the severity and duration of energy deficit varied across studies. Longer and larger investigations are needed to elucidate protein's role during energy deficit in active-duty military.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E. Anderson
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
| | - Shanon L. Casperson
- Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Grand Forks, ND 58203, USA
| | - Hannah Kho
- Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Kyle D. Flack
- Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
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Margolis LM, Marlatt KL, Berryman CE, Howard EE, Murphy NE, Carrigan CT, Harris MN, Beyl RA, Ravussin E, Pasiakos SM, Rood JC. Metabolic Adaptations and Substrate Oxidation are Unaffected by Exogenous Testosterone Administration during Energy Deficit in Men. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2023; 55:661-669. [PMID: 36563086 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE The effects of testosterone on energy and substrate metabolism during energy deficit are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of weekly testosterone enanthate (TEST; 200 mg·wk -1 ) injections on energy expenditure, energy substrate oxidation, and related gene expression during 28 d of energy deficit compared with placebo (PLA). METHODS After a 14-d energy balance phase, healthy men were randomly assigned to TEST ( n = 24) or PLA ( n = 26) for a 28-d controlled diet- and exercise-induced energy deficit (55% below total energy needs by reducing energy intake and increasing physical activity). Whole-room indirect calorimetry and 24-h urine collections were used to measure energy expenditure and energy substrate oxidation during balance and deficit. Transcriptional regulation of energy and substrate metabolism was assessed using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from rested/fasted muscle biopsy samples collected during balance and deficit. RESULTS Per protocol design, 24-h energy expenditure increased ( P < 0.05) and energy intake decreased ( P < 0.05) in TEST and PLA during deficit compared with balance. Carbohydrate oxidation decreased ( P < 0.05), whereas protein and fat oxidation increased ( P < 0.05) in TEST and PLA during deficit compared with balance. Change (∆; deficit minus balance) in 24-h energy expenditure was associated with ∆activity factor ( r = 0.595), but not ∆fat-free mass ( r = 0.147). Energy sensing (PRKAB1 and TP53), mitochondria (TFAM and COXIV), fatty acid metabolism (CD36/FAT, FABP, CPT1b, and ACOX1) and storage (FASN), and amino acid metabolism (BCAT2 and BCKHDA) genes were increased ( P < 0.05) during deficit compared with balance, independent of treatment. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that increased physical activity and not exogenous testosterone administration is the primary determinate of whole-body and skeletal muscle metabolic adaptations during diet- and exercise-induced energy deficit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee M Margolis
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA
| | | | | | - Emily E Howard
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA
| | - Nancy E Murphy
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA
| | - Christopher T Carrigan
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA
| | | | - Robbie A Beyl
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA
| | - Eric Ravussin
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA
| | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA
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Vartanian O, Lam TK, Mandel DR, Ann Saint S, Navarrete G, Carmichael OT, Murray K, Pillai SR, Shankapal P, Caldwell J, Berryman CE, Karl JP, Harris M, Rood JC, Pasiakos SM, Rice E, Duncan M, Lieberman HR. Effect of exogenous testosterone in the context of energy deficit on risky choice: Behavioural and neural evidence from males. Biol Psychol 2023; 176:108468. [PMID: 36481265 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Previous research has shown greater risk aversion when people make choices about lives than cash. We tested the hypothesis that compared to placebo, exogenous testosterone administration would lead to riskier choices about cash than lives, given testosterone's association with financial risk-taking and reward sensitivity. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial was conducted to test this hypothesis (Clinical Trials Registry: NCT02734238, www.clinicaltrials.gov). We collected functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 50 non-obese males before and shortly after 28 days of severe exercise-and-diet-induced energy deficit, during which testosterone (200 mg testosterone enanthate per week in sesame oil) or placebo (sesame seed oil only) was administered. Because we expected circulating testosterone levels to be reduced due to severe energy deficit, testosterone administration served a restorative function to mitigate the impact of energy deficit on testosterone levels. The fMRI task involved making choices under uncertainty for lives and cash. We also manipulated whether the outcomes were presented as gains or losses. Consistent with prospect theory, we observed the reflection effect such that participants were more risk averse when outcomes were presented as gains than losses. Brain activation in the thalamus covaried with individual differences in exhibiting the reflection effect. Testosterone did not impact choice, but it increased sensitivity to negative feedback following risky choices. These results suggest that exogenous testosterone administration in the context of energy deficit can impact some aspects of risky choice, and that individual differences in the reflection effect engage a brain structure involved in processing emotion, reward and risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oshin Vartanian
- Defence Research and Development Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Timothy K Lam
- Defence Research and Development Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David R Mandel
- Defence Research and Development Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sidney Ann Saint
- Defence Research and Development Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Gorka Navarrete
- Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (CSCN), School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | | | - Kori Murray
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | | | | | - John Caldwell
- Alaka'ina, Frederick, MD, USA; Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, USA
| | - Claire E Berryman
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, USA
| | - J Philip Karl
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, USA
| | - Melissa Harris
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | | | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, USA
| | - Emma Rice
- Defence Research and Development Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew Duncan
- Defence Research and Development Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Harris R Lieberman
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, USA
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Physiological biomarker monitoring during arduous military training: Maintaining readiness and performance. J Sci Med Sport 2022:S1440-2440(22)00502-3. [PMID: 36631385 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Physiological and psychological stressors can degrade soldiers' readiness and performance during military training and operational environments. Integrative and holistic assessments of biomarkers across diverse human performance optimization domains during multistressor training can be leveraged to provide actionable insight to military leadership regarding service member health and readiness. DESIGN/METHOD A broad categorization of biomarkers, to include biochemical measures, bone and body composition, psychometric assessments, movement screening, and physiological load can be incorporated into robust analytical pipelines for understanding the complex factors that impact military human performance. RESULTS In this perspective commentary we overview the rationale, selection, and methodologies for monitoring biomarker domains that are relevant to military research and specifically highlight methods that have been incorporated in a research program funded by the Office of Naval Research, Code 34 Biological and Physiological Monitoring and Modeling of Warfighter Performance. CONCLUSIONS The integration of screening and continuous monitoring methodologies via robust analytical approaches will provide novel insight for military leaders regarding health, performance, and readiness outcomes during multistressor military training.
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Stein JA, Karl JP, Berryman CE, Harris MN, Rood JC, Pasiakos SM, Lieberman HR. Metabolomics of testosterone enanthate administration during severe-energy deficit. Metabolomics 2022; 18:100. [PMID: 36450940 PMCID: PMC9712311 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-022-01955-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Testosterone administration attenuates reductions in total body mass and lean mass during severe energy deficit (SED). OBJECTIVES This study examined the effects of testosterone administration on the serum metabolome during SED. METHODS In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, non-obese men were randomized to receive 200-mg testosterone enanthate/wk (TEST) (n = 24) or placebo (PLA) (n = 26) during a 28-d inpatient, severe exercise- and diet-induced energy deficit. This study consisted of three consecutive phases. Participants were free-living and provided a eucaloric diet for 14-d during Phase 1. During Phase 2, participants were admitted to an inpatient unit, randomized to receive testosterone or placebo, and underwent SED for 28-d. During Phase 3, participants returned to their pre-study diet and physical activity habits. Untargeted metabolite profiling was conducted on serum samples collected during each phase. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry after 11-d of Phase 1 and after 25-d of Phase 2 to determine changes in fat and lean mass. RESULTS TEST had higher (Benjamini-Hochberg adjusted, q < 0.05) androgenic steroid and acylcarnitine, and lower (q < 0.05) amino acid metabolites after SED compared to PLA. Metabolomic differences were reversed by Phase 3. Changes in lean mass were associated (Bonferroni-adjusted, p < 0.05) with changes in androgenic steroid metabolites (r = 0.42-0.70), acylcarnitines (r = 0.37-0.44), and amino acid metabolites (r = - 0.36-- 0.37). Changes in fat mass were associated (p < 0.05) with changes in acylcarnitines (r = - 0.46-- 0.49) and changes in urea cycle metabolites (r = 0.60-0.62). CONCLUSION Testosterone administration altered androgenic steroid, acylcarnitine, and amino acid metabolites, which were associated with changes in body composition during SED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse A. Stein
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA USA
| | - J. Philip Karl
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA USA
| | - Claire E. Berryman
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA USA
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL USA
| | - Melissa N. Harris
- Louisiana State University’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA USA
| | - Jennifer C. Rood
- Louisiana State University’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA USA
| | - Stefan M. Pasiakos
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA USA
| | - Harris R. Lieberman
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA USA
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Kojima C, Ishibashi A, Ebi K, Goto K. Exogenous glucose oxidation during endurance exercise under low energy availability. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276002. [PMID: 36223366 PMCID: PMC9555626 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study was conducted to determine the effect of endurance exercise under low energy availability (EA) on exogenous glucose oxidation during endurance exercise. Ten active males (21.4 ± 0.6 years, 170.4 ± 1.4 cm, 62.4 ± 1.5 kg, 21.5 ± 0.4 kg/m2) completed two trials, consisting of two consecutive days (days 1 and 2) of endurance training under low EA (19.9 ± 0.2 kcal/kg fat free mass [FFM]/day, LEA trial) or normal EA (46.4 ± 0.1 kcal/kg FFM/day, NEA trial). The order of these two trials was randomized with at least a 1-week interval between trials. As an endurance training, participants performed 60 min of treadmill running at 70% of maximal oxygen uptake ( V˙O2max) during two consecutive days (on days 1 and 2). On day 1, the endurance training was performed with consumed individually manipulated meals. During the endurance exercise on day 2, exogenous glucose oxidation was evaluated using 13C-labeled glucose, and respiratory gas samples were collected. In addition, blood glucose and lactate concentrations were measured immediately after exercise on day 2. Body composition, blood parameters, and resting respiratory gas variables were evaluated under overnight fasting on days 1 and 2. Body weight was significantly reduced in the LEA trial on day2 (day1: 61.8 ± 1.4 kg, day 2: 61.3 ± 1.4 kg, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between trials in 13C excretion (P = 0.33) and area under the curve during the 60 min of exercise (LEA trial: 40.4 ± 3.1 mmol•60min, NEA trial: 40.4 ± 3.1 mmol•60min, P = 0.99). However, the respiratory exchange ratio (RER, LEA trial: 0.88 ± 0.01, NEA trial: 0.90 ± 0.01) and carbohydrate oxidation (LEA trial: 120.1 ± 8.8 g, NEA trial: 136.8 ± 8.6 g) during endurance exercise showed significantly lower values in the LEA trial than in the NEA trial (P = 0.01 for RER and carbohydrate oxidation). Serum insulin and total ketone body concentrations were significantly changed after a day of endurance training under low EA (P = 0.04 for insulin, P < 0.01 for total ketone). In conclusion, low EA during endurance exercise reduced systemic carbohydrate oxidation; however, exogenous glucose oxidation (evaluated by 13C excretion) remained unchanged during exercise under low EA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Kojima
- Japan Institute of Sports Sciences, Nishigaoka, Kitaku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aya Ishibashi
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kumiko Ebi
- Graduate School of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - Kazushige Goto
- Graduate School of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Howard EE, Shankaran M, Evans WJ, Berryman CE, Margolis LM, Lieberman HR, Karl JP, Young AJ, Montano MA, Matthews MD, Bizieff A, Nyangao E, Mohammed H, Harris MN, Hellerstein MK, Rood JC, Pasiakos SM. Effects of Testosterone on Mixed-Muscle Protein Synthesis and Proteome Dynamics During Energy Deficit. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e3254-e3263. [PMID: 35532889 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Effects of testosterone on integrated muscle protein metabolism and muscle mass during energy deficit are undetermined. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine the effects of testosterone on mixed-muscle protein synthesis (MPS), proteome-wide fractional synthesis rates (FSR), and skeletal muscle mass during energy deficit. DESIGN This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING The study was conducted at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. PARTICIPANTS Fifty healthy men. INTERVENTION The study consisted of 14 days of weight maintenance, followed by a 28-day 55% energy deficit with 200 mg testosterone enanthate (TEST, n = 24) or placebo (PLA, n = 26) weekly, and up to 42 days of ad libitum recovery feeding. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mixed-MPS and proteome-wide FSR before (Pre), during (Mid), and after (Post) the energy deficit were determined using heavy water (days 1-42) and muscle biopsies. Muscle mass was determined using the D3-creatine dilution method. RESULTS Mixed-MPS was lower than Pre at Mid and Post (P < 0.0005), with no difference between TEST and PLA. The proportion of individual proteins with numerically higher FSR in TEST than PLA was significant by 2-tailed binomial test at Post (52/67; P < 0.05), but not Mid (32/67; P > 0.05). Muscle mass was unchanged during energy deficit but was greater in TEST than PLA during recovery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The high proportion of individual proteins with greater FSR in TEST than PLA at Post suggests exogenous testosterone exerted a delayed but broad stimulatory effect on synthesis rates across the muscle proteome during energy deficit, resulting in muscle mass accretion during subsequent recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Howard
- Military Nutrit ion Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA 01760, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
| | - Mahalakshmi Shankaran
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Willian J Evans
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Claire E Berryman
- Military Nutrit ion Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA 01760, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Lee M Margolis
- Military Nutrit ion Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA 01760, USA
| | - Harris R Lieberman
- Military Nutrit ion Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA 01760, USA
| | - J Philip Karl
- Military Nutrit ion Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA 01760, USA
| | - Andrew J Young
- Military Nutrit ion Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA 01760, USA
| | - Monty A Montano
- MyoSyntax Corporation, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marcy D Matthews
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Alec Bizieff
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Edna Nyangao
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Hussein Mohammed
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Melissa N Harris
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
| | - Marc K Hellerstein
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jennifer C Rood
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
| | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- Military Performance Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA 01760, USA
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11
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Varanoske AN, Harris MN, Hebert C, Howard EE, Johannsen NM, Heymsfield SB, Greenway FL, Margolis LM, Lieberman HR, Beyl RA, Church DD, Ferrando AA, Pasiakos SM, Rood JC. Testosterone Undecanoate Administration Prevents Declines in Fat-Free Mass but not Physical Performance During Simulated Multi-Stressor Military Operations. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2022; 133:426-442. [PMID: 35796614 PMCID: PMC9359646 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00190.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Male military personnel conducting strenuous operations experience reduced testosterone, muscle mass, and performance. Pharmacological restoration of normal testosterone may attenuate performance decrements by mitigating muscle loss. Previously, administering testosterone enanthate (200 mg/week) during energy deficit prompted supraphysiological testosterone concentrations and lean mass gain without preventing isokinetic/isometric deterioration. Whether administering a practical dose of testosterone protects muscle and performance during strenuous operations is undetermined. OBJECTIVE Test the effects of a single dose of testosterone on body composition and military-relevant physical performance during a simulated operation. METHODS After a 7-day baseline phase (P1), 32 males (mean±SD; 77.1±12.3 kg, 26.5±4.4 years) received a single dose of either testosterone undecanoate (750 mg; TEST) or placebo (PLA) before a 20-day simulated military operation (P2), followed by a 23-day recovery (P3). Assessments included body composition and physical performance at the end of each phase and circulating endocrine biomarkers throughout the study. RESULTS Total and free testosterone concentrations in TEST were greater than PLA throughout most of P2 (p<0.05), but returned to P1 values during P3. Fat-free mass (FFM) was maintained from P1 to P2 in TEST (mean±SE; 0.41±0.65 kg, p=0.53), but decreased in PLA (-1.85±0.69 kg, p=0.01) and recovered in P3. Regardless of treatment, total body mass and fat mass decreased from P1 to P2 (p<0.05), but did not fully recover by P3. Physical performance decreased during P2 (p<0.05) and recovered by P3, regardless of treatment. CONCLUSIONS Administering testosterone undecanoate before a simulated military operation protected FFM but did not prevent decrements in physical performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa N Varanoske
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, United States.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Melissa N Harris
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Callie Hebert
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Emily E Howard
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, United States.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Neil M Johannsen
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Steven B Heymsfield
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Frank L Greenway
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Lee M Margolis
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, United States
| | - Harris R Lieberman
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, United States
| | - Robbie A Beyl
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - David D Church
- Department of Geriatrics, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Arny A Ferrando
- Department of Geriatrics, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- Military Performance Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, United States
| | - Jennifer C Rood
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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12
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Carmichael OT, Pillai SR, Murray K, Shankapal P, Caldwell J, Vartanian O, Berryman CE, Karl JP, Harris M, Rood JC, Pasiakos SM, Lieberman HR. Effects of testosterone administration on fMRI responses to executive function, aggressive behavior, and emotion processing tasks during severe exercise- and diet-induced energy deficit. Neuroimage 2021; 243:118496. [PMID: 34425226 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical administration of testosterone is widely used due to a variety of claimed physical and cognitive benefits. Testosterone administration is associated with enhanced brain and cognitive function, as well as mood, in energy-balanced males, although such relationships are controversial. However, the effects of testosterone administration on the brains of energy-deficient males, whose testosterone concentrations are likely to be well below normal, have not been investigated. METHODS This study collected functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 50 non-obese young men before (PRE) and shortly after (POST) 28 days of severe exercise-and-diet-induced energy deficit during which testosterone (200 mg testosterone enanthate per week in sesame oil, TEST) or placebo (sesame seed oil only, PLA) were administered. Scans were also collected after a post-energy-deficit weight regain period (REC). Participants completed five fMRI tasks that assessed aspects of: 1) executive function (Attention Network Task or ANT; Multi-Source Interference Task or MSIT; AXE Continuous Processing Task or AXCPT); 2) aggressive behavior (Provoked Aggression Task or AGG); and 3) latent emotion processing (Emotional Face Processing or EMO). RESULTS Changes over time in task-related fMRI activation in a priori defined task-critical brain regions during performance of 2 out of 5 tasks were significantly different between TEST and PLA, with TEST showing greater levels of activation during ANT in the right anterior cingulate gyrus at POST and during MSIT in several brain regions at REC. Changes over time in objective task performance were not statistically significant; testosterone-treated volunteers had greater self-reported anger during AGG at POST. CONCLUSIONS Testosterone administration can alter some aspects of brain function during severe energy deficit and increase levels of anger.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kori Murray
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | | | - John Caldwell
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, USA; Laulima Government Solutions, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Oshin Vartanian
- Defence Research and Development Canada, Toronto Research Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Claire E Berryman
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, USA; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Belcamp, MD, USA; Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - J P Karl
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, USA
| | - Melissa Harris
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | | | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, USA
| | - Harris R Lieberman
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, USA
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13
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Varanoske AN, Harris MN, Hebert C, Howard EE, Johannsen NM, Heymsfield SB, Greenway FL, Margolis LM, Lieberman HR, Church DD, Ferrando AA, Rood JC, Pasiakos SM. Effects of testosterone undecanoate on performance during multi-stressor military operations: A trial protocol for the Optimizing Performance for Soldiers II study. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2021; 23:100819. [PMID: 34278044 PMCID: PMC8264529 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2021.100819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previously, young males administered 200 mg/week of testosterone enanthate during 28 days of energy deficit (EDef) gained lean mass and lost less total mass than controls (Optimizing Performance for Soldiers I study, OPS I). Despite that benefit, physical performance deteriorated similarly in both groups. However, some experimental limitations may have precluded detection of performance benefits, as performance measures employed lacked military relevance, and the EDef employed did not elicit the magnitude of stress typically experienced by Soldiers conducting operations. Additionally, the testosterone administered required weekly injections, elicited supra-physiological concentrations, and marked suppression of endogenous testosterone upon cessation. Therefore, this follow-on study will address those limitations and examine testosterone's efficacy for preserving Solder performance during strenuous operations. Methods In OPS II, 32 males will participate in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. After baseline testing, participants will be administered either testosterone undecanoate (750 mg) or placebo before completing four consecutive, 5-day cycles simulating a multi-stressor, sustained military operation (SUSOPS). SUSOPS will consist of two low-stress days (1000 kcal/day exercise-induced EDef; 8 h/night sleep), followed by three high-stress days (3000 kcal/day and 4 h/night). A 23-day recovery period will follow SUSOPS. Military relevant physical performance is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include 4-comparment body composition, muscle and whole-body protein turnover, intramuscular mechanisms, biochemistries, and cognitive function/mood. Conclusions OPS II will determine if testosterone undecanoate safely enhances performance, while attenuating muscle and total mass loss, without impairing cognitive function, during and in recovery from SUSOPS. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04120363.
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Key Words
- Anabolism
- And hypogonadism
- BIA, bioelectrical impedance analysis
- D2O, deuterium
- DSMB, data and safety monitoring board
- DXA, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
- ECW, extracellular water
- EDef, energy deficit
- EIEE, exercise-induced energy expenditure
- Energy deficit
- Exercise
- FBR, fractional breakdown rate
- FFM, fat-free mass
- FSR, fractional synthetic rate
- HR, heart rate
- HRR, heart rate reserve
- ICW, intracellular water
- ID, identification
- IRB, Institutional Review Board
- MRE, Meal
- Optimizing Performance for Soldiers Trial I, OPS II
- Optimizing Performance for Soldiers Trial II, PAR-Q+
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, PLA
- Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire+, PB
- Ready-to-Eat, OPS I
- Skeletal muscle
- Sleep deprivation
- TBW, total body water
- TDEE, total daily energy expenditure
- TDEI, total daily energy intake
- TEST, testosterone experimental group
- VO2max, maximal cardiorespiratory fitness
- VO2peak, peak oxygen uptake
- WBGT, wet bulb globe temperature
- placebo experimental group, PS
- protein breakdown, PBRC
- protein synthesis, Q
- ratings of perceived exertion, SUSOPS
- repetition maximum, RNA
- respiratory exchange ratio, RM
- ribonucleic acid, RPE
- sustained, multi-stressor military operations
- whole-body nitrogen flux, RER
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa N Varanoske
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Melissa N Harris
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Callie Hebert
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Emily E Howard
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Neil M Johannsen
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Steven B Heymsfield
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Frank L Greenway
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Lee M Margolis
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
| | - Harris R Lieberman
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
| | - David D Church
- Department of Geriatrics, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Arny A Ferrando
- Department of Geriatrics, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Jennifer C Rood
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
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14
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Howard EE, Margolis LM, Berryman CE, Lieberman HR, Karl JP, Young AJ, Montano MA, Evans WJ, Rodriguez NR, Johannsen NM, Gadde KM, Harris MN, Rood JC, Pasiakos SM. Testosterone supplementation upregulates androgen receptor expression and translational capacity during severe energy deficit. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2020; 319:E678-E688. [PMID: 32776828 PMCID: PMC7750513 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00157.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone supplementation during energy deficit promotes whole body lean mass accretion, but the mechanisms underlying that effect remain unclear. To elucidate those mechanisms, skeletal muscle molecular adaptations were assessed from muscle biopsies collected before, 1 h, and 6 h after exercise and a mixed meal (40 g protein, 1 h postexercise) following 14 days of weight maintenance (WM) and 28 days of an exercise- and diet-induced 55% energy deficit (ED) in 50 physically active nonobese men treated with 200 mg testosterone enanthate/wk (TEST) or placebo (PLA) during the ED. Participants (n = 10/group) exhibiting substantial increases in leg lean mass and total testosterone (TEST) were compared with those exhibiting decreases in both of these measures (PLA). Resting androgen receptor (AR) protein content was higher and fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14), IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), and muscle ring-finger protein-1 gene expression was lower in TEST vs. PLA during ED relative to WM (P < 0.05). Changes in inflammatory, myogenic, and proteolytic gene expression did not differ between groups after exercise and recovery feeding. Mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling (i.e., translational efficiency) was also similar between groups at rest and after exercise and the mixed meal. Muscle total RNA content (i.e., translational capacity) increased more during ED in TEST than PLA (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that attenuated proteolysis at rest, possibly downstream of AR, Fn14, and IL-6R signaling, and increased translational capacity, not efficiency, may drive lean mass accretion with testosterone administration during energy deficit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Howard
- Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
- University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Lee M Margolis
- Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
| | - Claire E Berryman
- Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Harris R Lieberman
- Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
| | - J Philip Karl
- Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
| | - Andrew J Young
- Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Monty A Montano
- MyoSyntax Corporation, Worcester, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - William J Evans
- University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California
- Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Neil M Johannsen
- Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Kishore M Gadde
- Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Melissa N Harris
- Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Jennifer C Rood
- Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
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15
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Hennigar SR, Berryman CE, Harris MN, Karl JP, Lieberman HR, McClung JP, Rood JC, Pasiakos SM. Testosterone Administration During Energy Deficit Suppresses Hepcidin and Increases Iron Availability for Erythropoiesis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5693356. [PMID: 31894236 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgz316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Severe energy deprivation markedly inhibits erythropoiesis by restricting iron availability for hemoglobin synthesis. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether testosterone supplementation during energy deficit increased indicators of iron turnover and attenuated the decline in erythropoiesis compared to placebo. DESIGN This was a 3-phase, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING The study was conducted at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Fifty healthy young males. INTERVENTION(S) Phase 1 was a 14-day free-living eucaloric controlled-feeding phase; phase 2 was a 28-day inpatient phase where participants were randomized to 200 mg testosterone enanthate/week or an isovolumetric placebo/week during an energy deficit of 55% of total daily energy expenditure; phase 3 was a 14-day free-living, ad libitum recovery period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Indices of erythropoiesis, iron status, and hepcidin and erythroferrone were determined. RESULTS Hepcidin declined by 41%, indicators of iron turnover increased, and functional iron stores were reduced with testosterone administration during energy deficit compared to placebo. Testosterone administration during energy deficit increased circulating concentrations of erythropoietin and maintained erythropoiesis, as indicated by an attenuation in the decline in hemoglobin and hematocrit with placebo. Erythroferrone did not differ between groups, suggesting that the reduction in hepcidin with testosterone occurs through an erythroferrone-independent mechanism. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that testosterone suppresses hepcidin, through either direct or indirect mechanisms, to increase iron turnover and maintain erythropoiesis during severe energy deficit. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02734238.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Hennigar
- Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
- Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Technology, Belcamp, Maryland
| | - Claire E Berryman
- Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
- Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Technology, Belcamp, Maryland
| | | | - J Philip Karl
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
| | - Harris R Lieberman
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
| | - James P McClung
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer C Rood
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts
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16
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Karl JP, Berryman CE, Harris MN, Lieberman HR, Gadde KM, Rood JC, Pasiakos SM. Effects of Testosterone Supplementation on Ghrelin and Appetite During and After Severe Energy Deficit in Healthy Men. J Endocr Soc 2020; 4:bvaa024. [PMID: 32258956 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe energy deficits cause interrelated reductions in testosterone and fat free mass. Testosterone supplementation may mitigate those decrements, but could also reduce circulating concentrations of the orexigenic hormone ghrelin, thereby exacerbating energy deficit by suppressing appetite. Objective To determine whether testosterone supplementation during severe energy deficit influences fasting and postprandial ghrelin concentrations and appetite. Design and methods Secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind trial that determined the effects of testosterone supplementation on body composition changes during and following severe energy deficit in nonobese, eugonadal men. Phase 1 (PRE-ED): 14-day run-in; phase 2: 28 days, 55% energy deficit with 200 mg testosterone enanthate weekly (TEST; n = 24) or placebo (PLA; n = 26); phase 3: free-living until body mass recovered (end-of-study; EOS). Fasting and postprandial acyl ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin concentrations and appetite were secondary outcomes measured during the final week of each phase. Results Fasting acyl ghrelin concentrations, and postprandial acyl and des-acyl ghrelin concentrations increased in PLA during energy deficit then returned to PRE-ED values by EOS, but did not change in TEST (phase-by-group, P < 0.05). Correlations between changes in free testosterone and changes in fasting acyl ghrelin concentrations during energy deficit (ρ = -0.42, P = 0.003) and body mass recovery (ρ = -0.38; P = 0.01) were not mediated by changes in body mass or body composition. Transient increases in appetite during energy deficit were not affected by testosterone treatment. Conclusions Testosterone supplementation during short-term, severe energy deficit in healthy men prevents deficit-induced increases in circulating ghrelin without blunting concomitant increases in appetite. Clinical Trials Registration www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT02734238 (registered 12 April 2016).
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Affiliation(s)
- J Philip Karl
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
| | - Claire E Berryman
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Belcamp, MD, USA.,Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Melissa N Harris
- Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Harris R Lieberman
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
| | - Kishore M Gadde
- Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Jennifer C Rood
- Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
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17
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Church DD, Pasiakos SM, Wolfe RR, Ferrando AA. Acute testosterone administration does not affect muscle anabolism. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2019; 16:56. [PMID: 31440303 PMCID: PMC6704643 DOI: 10.1186/s12986-019-0385-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that improved net muscle protein balance, via enhanced protein synthetic efficiency, occurs 5 days after testosterone (T) administration. Whether the effects of T on muscle protein kinetics occur immediately upon exposure is not known. We investigated the effects of acute T exposure on leg muscle protein kinetics and selected amino acid (AA) transport using the arteriovenous balance model, and direct calculations of mixed-muscle protein fractional synthesis (FSR) and breakdown (FBR) rates. Four healthy men were studied over a 5 h period with and without T (infusion rate, 0.25 mg·min- 1). Muscle protein FSR, FBR, and net protein balance (direct measures and model derived) were not affected by T, despite a significant increases in arterial (p = 0.009) and venous (p = 0.064) free T area under the curve during T infusion. T infusion had minimal effects on AA transport kinetics, affecting only the outward transport and total intracellular rate of appearance of leucine. These data indicate that exposing skeletal muscle to T does not confer immediate effects on AA kinetics or muscle anabolism. There remains an uncertainty as to the earliest discernable effects of T on skeletal muscle protein kinetics after initial administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- David D Church
- 1Department of Geriatrics, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA
| | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- 2Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA USA
| | - Robert R Wolfe
- 1Department of Geriatrics, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA
| | - Arny A Ferrando
- 1Department of Geriatrics, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA
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Effects of testosterone supplementation on body composition and lower-body muscle function during severe exercise- and diet-induced energy deficit: A proof-of-concept, single centre, randomised, double-blind, controlled trial. EBioMedicine 2019; 46:411-422. [PMID: 31358477 PMCID: PMC6711889 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.07.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe energy deficits during military operations, produced by significant increases in exercise and limited dietary intake, result in conditions that degrade lean body mass and lower-body muscle function, which may be mediated by concomitant reductions in circulating testosterone. METHODS We conducted a three-phase, proof-of-concept, single centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (CinicalTrials.gov, NCT02734238) of non-obese men: 14-d run-in, free-living, eucaloric diet phase; 28-d live-in, 55% exercise- and diet-induced energy deficit phase with (200 mg testosterone enanthate per week, Testosterone, n = 24) or without (Placebo, n = 26) exogenous testosterone; and 14-d recovery, free-living, ad libitum diet phase. Body composition was the primary end point; secondary endpoints included lower-body muscle function and health-related biomarkers. FINDINGS Following energy deficit, lean body mass increased in Testosterone and remained stable in Placebo, such that lean body mass significantly differed between groups [mean difference between groups (95% CI), 2.5 kg (3.3, 1.6); P < .0001]. Fat mass decreased similarly in both treatment groups [0.2 (-0.4, 0.7), P = 1]. Change in lean body mass was associated with change in total testosterone (r = 0.71, P < .0001). Supplemental testosterone had no effect on lower-body muscle function or health-related biomarkers. INTERPRETATION Findings suggest that supplemental testosterone may increase lean body mass during short-term severe energy deficit in non-obese, young men, but it does not appear to attenuate lower-body functional decline. FUNDING Collaborative Research to Optimize Warfighter Nutrition projects I and II, Joint Program Committee-5, funded by the US Department of Defence.
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Church DD, Gwin JA, Wolfe RR, Pasiakos SM, Ferrando AA. Mitigation of Muscle Loss in Stressed Physiology: Military Relevance. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11081703. [PMID: 31344809 PMCID: PMC6724061 DOI: 10.3390/nu11081703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Military personnel may be exposed to circumstances (e.g., large energy deficits, sleep deprivation, cognitive demands, and environmental extremes) of external stressors during training and combat operations (i.e., operational stressors) that combine to degrade muscle protein. The loss of muscle protein is further exacerbated by frequent periods of severe energy deficit. Exposure to these factors results in a hypogonadal state that may contribute to observed decrements in muscle mass. In this review, lessons learned from studying severe clinical stressed states and the interventions designed to mitigate the loss of muscle protein are discussed in the context of military operational stress. For example, restoration of the anabolic hormonal status (e.g., testosterone, insulin, and growth hormone) in stressed physiological states may be necessary to restore the anabolic influence derived from dietary protein on muscle. Based on our clinical experiences, restoration of the normal testosterone status during sustained periods of operational stress may be advantageous. We demonstrated that in severe burn patients, pharmacologic normalization of the anabolic hormonal status restores the anabolic stimulatory effect of nutrition on muscle by improving the protein synthetic efficiency and limiting amino acid loss from skeletal muscle. Furthermore, an optimal protein intake, and in particular essential amino acid delivery, may be an integral ingredient in a restored anabolic response during the stress state. Interventions which improve the muscle net protein balance may positively impact soldier performance in trying conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David D Church
- Department of Geriatrics, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
| | - Jess A Gwin
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA 01760, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Supporting the Military Nutrition Division of the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA 01760, USA
| | - Robert R Wolfe
- Department of Geriatrics, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Stefan M Pasiakos
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA 01760, USA
| | - Arny A Ferrando
- Department of Geriatrics, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
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Peltier C, Pettijohn K. The Future of Steroids for Performance Enhancement in the U.S. Military. Mil Med 2018; 183:151-153. [PMID: 29741698 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chad Peltier
- Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton, 2624 Q Street, Area B, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
| | - Kyle Pettijohn
- Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton, 2624 Q Street, Area B, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
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