1
|
Bartlett MF, Fitzgerald LF, Nagarajan R, Kent JA. Measurements of in vivo skeletal muscle oxidative capacity are lower following sustained isometric compared with dynamic contractions. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2024; 49:250-264. [PMID: 37906958 DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2023-0315] [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] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Human skeletal muscle oxidative capacity can be quantified non-invasively using 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) to measure the rate constant of phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery (kPCr) following contractions. In the quadricep muscles, several studies have quantified kPCr following 24-30 s of sustained maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). This approach has the advantage of simplicity but is potentially problematic because sustained MVICs inhibit perfusion, which may limit muscle oxygen availability or increase the intracellular metabolic perturbation, and thus affect kPCr. Alternatively, dynamic contractions allow reperfusion between contractions, which may avoid limitations in oxygen delivery. To determine whether dynamic contraction protocols elicit greater kPCr than sustained MVIC protocols, we used a cross-sectional design to compare quadriceps kPCr in 22 young and 11 older healthy adults following 24 s of maximal voluntary: (1) sustained MVIC and (2) dynamic (MVDC; 120°·s-1, 1 every 2 s) contractions. Muscle kPCr was ∼20% lower following the MVIC protocol compared with the MVDC protocol (p ≤ 0.001), though this was less evident in older adults (p = 0.073). Changes in skeletal muscle pH (p ≤ 0.001) and PME accumulation (p ≤ 0.001) were greater following the sustained MVIC protocol, and pH (p ≤ 0.001) and PME (p ≤ 0.001) recovery were slower. These results demonstrate that (i) a brief, sustained MVIC yields a lower value for skeletal muscle oxidative capacity than an MVDC protocol of similar duration and (ii) this difference may not be consistent across populations (e.g., young vs. old). Thus, the potential effect of contraction protocol on comparisons of kPCr in different study groups requires careful consideration in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miles F Bartlett
- Department of KinesiologyMuscle Physiology Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Liam F Fitzgerald
- Department of KinesiologyMuscle Physiology Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Rajakumar Nagarajan
- Human Magnetic Resonance Center, Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Jane A Kent
- Department of KinesiologyMuscle Physiology Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hayden CMT, Nagarajan R, Smith ZH, Gilmore S, Kent JA. Postcontraction [acetylcarnitine] reflects interindividual variation in skeletal muscle ATP production patterns in vivo. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2024; 326:R66-R78. [PMID: 37955131 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00027.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
In addition to its role in substrate selection (carbohydrate vs. fat) for oxidative metabolism in muscle, acetylcarnitine production may be an important modulator of the energetic pathway by which ATP is produced. A combination of noninvasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy measures of cytosolic acetylcarnitine and ATP production pathways was used to investigate the link between [acetylcarnitine] and energy production in vivo. Intracellular metabolites were measured in the vastus lateralis muscle of eight males (mean: 28.4 yr, range: 25-35) during 8 min of incremental, dynamic contractions (0.5 Hz, 2-min stages at 6%, 9%, 12%, and 15% maximal torque) that increased [acetylcarnitine] approximately fivefold from resting levels. ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, and the creatine kinase reaction was calculated based on phosphorus metabolites and pH. Spearman rank correlations indicated that postcontraction [acetylcarnitine] was positively associated with both absolute (mM) and relative (% total ATP) glycolytic ATP production (rs = 0.95, P = 0.001; rs = 0.93, P = 0.002), and negatively associated with relative (rs = -0.81, P = 0.02) but not absolute (rs = -0.14, P = 0.75) oxidative ATP production. Thus, acetylcarnitine accumulated more when there was a greater reliance on "nonoxidative" glycolysis and a relatively lower contribution from oxidative phosphorylation, reflecting the fate of pyruvate in working skeletal muscle. Furthermore, these data indicate striking interindividual variation in responses to the energy demand of submaximal contractions. Overall, the results of this preliminary study provide novel evidence of the coupling in vivo between ATP production pathways and the carnitine system.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Production of acetylcarnitine from acetyl-CoA and free carnitine may be important for energy pathway regulation in contracting skeletal muscle. Noninvasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to investigate the link between acetylcarnitine and energy production in the vastus lateralis muscle during dynamic contractions (n = 8 individuals). A positive correlation between acetylcarnitine accumulation and "nonoxidative" glycolysis and an inverse relationship with oxidative phosphorylation, provides novel evidence of the coupling between ATP production and the carnitine system in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M T Hayden
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Rajakumar Nagarajan
- Human Magnetic Resonance Center, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Zoe H Smith
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Samantha Gilmore
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Jane A Kent
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fitzgerald LF, Bartlett MF, Kent JA. Muscle fatigue, bioenergetic responses and metabolic economy during load- and velocity-based maximal dynamic contractions in young and older adults. Physiol Rep 2023; 11:e15876. [PMID: 37996974 PMCID: PMC10667588 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15876] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated whether task-dependent, age-related differences in muscle fatigue (contraction-induced decline in normalized power) develop from differences in bioenergetics or metabolic economy (ME; mass-normalized work/mM ATP). We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to quantify intracellular metabolites in vastus lateralis muscle of 10 young and 10 older adults during two maximal-effort, 4-min isotonic (20% maximal torque) and isokinetic (120°s-1 ) contraction protocols. Fatigue, inorganic phosphate (Pi), and pH (p ≥ 0.213) differed by age during isotonic contractions. However, older had less fatigue (p ≤ 0.011) and metabolic perturbation (lower [Pi], greater pH; p ≤ 0.031) than young during isokinetic contractions. ME was lower in older than young during isotonic contractions (p ≤ 0.003), but not associated with fatigue in either protocol or group. Rather, fatigue during both tasks was linearly related to changes in [H+ ], in both groups. The slope of fatigue versus [H+ ] was 50% lower in older than young during isokinetic contractions (p ≤ 0.023), consistent with less fatigue in older during this protocol. Overall, regardless of age or task type, acidosis, but not ME, was the primary mechanism for fatigue in vivo. The source of the age-related differences in contraction-induced acidosis in vivo remains to be determined, as does the apparent task-dependent difference in the sensitivity of muscle to [H+ ].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liam F. Fitzgerald
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of KinesiologyUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Miles F. Bartlett
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of KinesiologyUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jane A. Kent
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of KinesiologyUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lewis MT, Levitsky Y, Bazil JN, Wiseman RW. Measuring Mitochondrial Function: From Organelle to Organism. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2497:141-172. [PMID: 35771441 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2309-1_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial energy production is crucial for normal daily activities and maintenance of life. Herein, the logic and execution of two main classes of measurements are outlined to delineate mitochondrial function: ATP production and oxygen consumption. Aerobic ATP production is quantified by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31PMRS) in vivo in both human subjects and animal models using the same protocols and maintaining the same primary assumptions. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption is quantified by oxygen polarography and applied in isolated mitochondria, cultured cells, and permeabilized fibers derived from human or animal tissue biopsies. Traditionally, mitochondrial functional measures focus on maximal oxidative capacity-a flux rate that is rarely, if ever, observed outside of experimental conditions. Perhaps more physiologically relevant, both measurement classes herein focus on one principal design paradigm; submaximal mitochondrial fluxes generated by graded levels of ADP to map the function for ADP sensitivity. We propose this function defines the bioenergetic role that mitochondria fill within the myoplasm to sense and match ATP demands. Any deficit in this vital role for ATP homeostasis leads to symptoms often seen in cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary diseases, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Lewis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Yan Levitsky
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jason N Bazil
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Robert W Wiseman
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. .,Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fitzgerald LF, Bartlett MF, Nagarajan R, Francisco EJ, Sup FC, Kent JA. Effects of old age and contraction mode on knee extensor muscle ATP flux and metabolic economy in vivo. J Physiol 2021; 599:3063-3080. [PMID: 33876434 DOI: 10.1113/jp281117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS We used 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy to quantify in vivo skeletal muscle metabolic economy (ME; mass-normalized torque or power produced per ATP consumed) during three 24 s maximal-effort contraction protocols: (1) sustained isometric (MVIC), (2) intermittent isokinetic (MVDCIsoK ), and (3) intermittent isotonic (MVDCIsoT ) in the knee extensor muscles of young and older adults. ME was not different between groups during the MVIC but was lower in older than young adults during both dynamic contraction protocols. These results are consistent with an increased energy cost of locomotion, but not postural support, with age. The effects of old age on ME were not due to age-related changes in muscle oxidative capacity or ATP flux. Specific power was lower in older than young adults, despite similar total ATP synthesis between groups. Together, this suggests a dissociation between cross-bridge activity and ATP utilization with age. ABSTRACT Muscle metabolic economy (ME; mass-normalized torque or power produced per ATP consumed) is similar in young and older adults during some isometric contractions, but less is known about potential age-related differences in ME during dynamic contractions. We hypothesized that age-related differences in ME would exist only during dynamic contractions, due to the increased energetic demand of dynamic versus isometric contractions. Ten young (Y; 27.5 ± 3.9 years, 6 men) and 10 older (O; 71 ± 5 years, 5 men) healthy adults performed three 24 s bouts of maximal contractions: (1) sustained isometric (MVIC), (2) isokinetic (120°·s-1 , MVDCIsoK ; 0.5 Hz), and (3) isotonic (load = 20% MVIC, MVDCIsoT ; 0.5 Hz). Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the vastus lateralis muscle was used to calculate ATP flux (mM ATP·s-1 ) through the creatine kinase reaction, glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Quadriceps contractile volume (cm3 ) was measured by MRI. ME was calculated using the torque-time integral (MVIC) or power-time integral (MVDCIsoK and MVDCIsoT ), total ATP synthesis and contractile volume. As hypothesized, ME was not different between Y and O during the MVIC (0.12 ± 0.03 vs. 0.12 ± 0.02 Nm. s. cm-3 . mM ATP-1 , mean ± SD, respectively; P = 0.847). However, during both MVDCIsoK and MVDCIsoT , ME was lower in O than Y adults (MVDCIsoK : 0.011 ± 0.003 vs. 0.007 ± 0.002 J. cm-3 . mM ATP-1 ; P < 0.001; MVDCIsoT : 0.011 ± 0.002 vs. 0.008 ± 0.002; P = 0.037, respectively), despite similar muscle oxidative capacity, oxidative and total ATP flux in both groups. The lower specific power in older than young adults, despite similar total ATP synthesis between groups, suggests there is a dissociation between cross-bridge activity and ATP utilization with age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liam F Fitzgerald
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Miles F Bartlett
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Rajakumar Nagarajan
- Human Magnetic Resonance Center, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Ericber Jimenez Francisco
- Mechatronics and Robotics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Frank C Sup
- Mechatronics and Robotics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Jane A Kent
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bartlett MF, Fitzgerald LF, Kent JA. Rates of oxidative ATP synthesis are not augmented beyond the pH threshold in human vastus lateralis muscles during a stepwise contraction protocol. J Physiol 2021; 599:1997-2013. [PMID: 33576028 DOI: 10.1113/jp280851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS The oxygen cost of high-intensity exercise at power outputs above an individual's lactate threshold (LT) is greater than would be predicted by the linear oxygen consumption-power relationship observed below the LT. However, whether these augmentations are caused by an increased ATP cost of force generation (ATPCOST ) or an increased oxygen cost of ATP synthesis is unclear. We used 31 P-MRS to measure changes in cytosolic [ADP] (intramyocellular marker of oxidative metabolism), oxidative ATP synthesis (ATPOX ) and ATPCOST during a 6-stage, stepwise knee extension protocol. ATPCOST was unchanged across stages. The relationship between [ADP] and muscle power output was augmented at workloads above the pH threshold (pHT ; proxy for LT), whereas increases in ATPOX were attenuated. These results suggest the greater oxygen cost of contractions at workloads beyond the pHT is not caused by mechanisms that increase ATPCOST , but rather mechanisms that alter intrinsic mitochondrial function or capacity. ABSTRACT Increases in skeletal muscle metabolism and oxygen consumption are linearly related to muscle power output for workloads below the lactate threshold (LT), but are augmented (i.e. greater rate of increase relative to workload) thereafter. Presently, it is unclear whether these metabolic augmentations are caused by increases in the ATP cost of force generation (ATPCOST ) or changes in the efficiency of mitochondrial oxygen consumption and oxidative ATP synthesis (ATPOX ). To partition these two hypotheses in vivo, we used 31 P-MRS to calculate slopes relating step-changes in muscle work to concurrent changes in cytosolic phosphates and ATPOX before and after the pH threshold (pHT ; used here as a proxy for LT) within the vastus lateralis muscle of eight young adults during a stepwise knee extension test. Changes in muscle phosphates and ATPOX were linearly related to workload below the pHT . However, slopes above the pHT were greater for muscle phosphates (P < 0.05) and lower for ATPOX (P < 0.05) than were the slopes observed below the pHT . The maximal capacity for ATPOX ( V ̇ max ) and ADP-specific ATPOX also declined beyond the pHT (P < 0.05), whereas ATPCOST was unchanged (P = 0.10). These results oppose the hypothesis that high-intensity contractions increase ATPCOST and suggest that greater oxidative metabolism at workloads beyond the pHT is caused by mechanisms that affect intrinsic mitochondrial function or capacity, such as alterations in substrate selection or electron entry into the electron transport chain, temperature-mediated changes in mitochondrial permeability to protons, or stimulation of mitochondrial uncoupling by reactive oxygen species generation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miles F Bartlett
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Liam F Fitzgerald
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Jane A Kent
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bartlett MF, Fitzgerald LF, Nagarajan R, Kent JA. Validity and accuracy of calculating oxidative ATP synthesis in vivo during high-intensity skeletal muscle contractions. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2020; 33:e4381. [PMID: 32803787 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Several methods have been developed for using 31 P-MRS to calculate rates of oxidative ATP synthesis (ATPOX ) during muscular contractions based on assumptions that (1) the ATP cost of force generation (ATPCOST ) remains constant or (2) Michaelis-Menten coupling between cytosolic ADP and ATPOX does not change. However, growing evidence suggests that one, or both, of these assumptions are invalid during high-intensity fatigue protocols. Consequently, there is a need to examine the validity and accuracy of traditional ATPOX calculation methods under these conditions. To address this gap, we measured phosphate concentrations and pH in the vastus lateralis muscle of nine young adults during four rest-contraction-recovery trials lasting 24, 60, 120, and 240 s. The initial velocity of phosphocreatine resynthesis (ViPCr ) following each trial served as the criterion measure of ATPOX because this method makes no assumptions of constant ATPCOST or Michaelis-Menten coupling between changes in cytosolic ADP and ATPOX . Subsequently, we calculated ATPOX throughout the 240 s trial using several traditional calculation methods and compared estimations of ATPOX from each method with time-matched measurements of ViPCr . Method 1, which assumes that ATPCOST does not change, was able to model changes in ViPCr over time, but showed poor accuracy for predicting ViPCr across a wide range of ATPOX values. In contrast, Michaelis-Menten methods, which assume that the relationship between changes in cytosolic ADP and ATPOX remains constant, were invalid because they could not model the decline in ViPCr . However, adjusting these Michaelis-Menten methods for observed changes in maximal ATPOX capacity (i.e., Vmax ) permitted modeling of the decline in ViPCr and markedly improved accuracy. The results of these comprehensive analyses demonstrate that valid, accurate measurements of ATPOX can be obtained during high-intensity contractions by adjusting Michaelis-Menten ATPOX calculations for changes in Vmax observed from baseline to post-fatigue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miles F Bartlett
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Liam F Fitzgerald
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rajakumar Nagarajan
- Human Magnetic Resonance Center, Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jane A Kent
- Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|