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Effects of glutamine supplementation on muscle function in a mouse model of spinal cord injury
Author(s) -
Huey Kimberly,
Chamney Carissa,
Godar Michelle,
Garrigan Ethan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.1078.6
Subject(s) - isometric exercise , glutamine , spinal cord injury , skeletal muscle , medicine , hsp70 , endocrinology , spinal cord , muscle contraction , heat shock protein , chemistry , biochemistry , amino acid , psychiatry , gene
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in loss of muscle function due to rapid breakdown of contractile proteins. Glutamine (GLN) supplementation improves clinical outcomes, but its effects on muscle function after SCI are unknown. Improvements with GLN in non‐skeletal muscle tissues have been related to elevated heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and Hsp25, but the muscle response may differ since it is the largest contributor to plasma GLN. We tested the hypothesis that GLN preserves muscle function after SCI and this is associated with increased Hsp levels. Changes in plantarflexor mass, force, fatigability, and Hsp70 and 25 protein were measured 7 d after sham or spinal cord transection (ST) surgery in mice receiving daily placebo (PL) or GLN. ST reduced muscle mass with PL or GLN (p<0.05). Maximal isometric force relative to body mass was not different among groups, but GLN prevented greater fatigability seen with ST + PL (59±4 vs. 34±4% of initial force after 10 contractions, respectively, p<0.05). ST was associated with decreased Hsp70 and 25 with GLN only (49±3 and 44±5% of PL, respectively, p<0.05). Functionally, early increases in fatigability after SCI were reversed with GLN. ST‐associated reductions in Hsp70 and 25 with GLN vs. PL suggest lower stress in the muscle, possibly related to a reduced need to produce GLN. These findings support GLN as a therapeutic intervention to accelerate recovery of muscle function after SCI.