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Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Published in: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl-butyrate blunts negative age-related changes in body composition, functionality and myofiber dimensions in rats

Authors: Jacob M Wilson, Samuel C Grant, Sang-Rok Lee, Ihssan S Masad, Young-Min Park, Paul C Henning, Jeffery R Stout, Jeremy P Loenneke, Bahram H Arjmandi, Lynn B Panton, Jeong-Su Kim

Published in: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

To determine the effects of 16 wk. of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) administration on age-related changes in functionality and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) determined myofiber dimensions.

Methods

Twelve young (44 wk.), 6 middle-aged (60 wk.), 10 old (86 wk.), and 5 very old (102 wk.) male Fisher-344 rat's body composition and grip strength were assessed at baseline. Following, 6 young, 6 middle-aged, 5 old and 5 very old rats were sacrificed for baseline myofiber dimensions and gene transcript factor expression in the soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius (GAS). The remaining 6 young and 5 old rats were given HMB for 16 wk. and then sacrificed.

Results

Fat mass increased in the middle-aged control condition (+49%) but not the middle-aged HMB condition. In addition, fat mass declined (-56%) in the old HMB condition but not the old control condition. Normalized strength declined and maintained respectively in the control and HMB conditions from 44 to 60 wk. and increased (+23%) (p < 0.05) from 86 to 102 wk. in only the HMB condition. Declines occurred in myofiber size in all muscles from 44 to 102 wk. in the control condition(-10 to -15%), but not HMB condition. Atrogin-1 mRNA expression in the SOL and GAS muscles was greater in the 102-wk control condition than all other conditions: SOL (+45%) and GAS (+100%). This elevation was blunted by HMB in the 102 wk. old SOL. There was a condition effect in the SOL for myogenin, which significantly increased (+40%) only in the 102-wk. HMB group relative to the 44-wk. group.

Conclusions

HMB may blunt age-related losses of strength and myofiber dimensions, possibly through attenuating the rise in protein breakdown.
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Metadata
Title
Beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl-butyrate blunts negative age-related changes in body composition, functionality and myofiber dimensions in rats
Authors
Jacob M Wilson
Samuel C Grant
Sang-Rok Lee
Ihssan S Masad
Young-Min Park
Paul C Henning
Jeffery R Stout
Jeremy P Loenneke
Bahram H Arjmandi
Lynn B Panton
Jeong-Su Kim
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-9-18

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