Forearm immobilization, metabolic health, and muscle loss
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of Acipimox and Salbutamol supplementation on the development of insulin resistance and anabolic resistance during forearm immobilization in healthy, young volunteers
IRAS ID
245976
Contact name
Marlou Dirks
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Short periods of muscle disuse, which for instance occur during hospitalisation or limb immobilisation, lead to rapid muscle loss. The cause is currently unknown, but how our muscles use food energy may be crucial. Therefore, in the present study we will investigate how the availability of foodstuffs (carbohydrates, fat, and protein) in muscle affects the development of disuse-induced muscle loss. Healthy, young (18-40 y) males and females will undergo two days of forearm immobilisation in a cast, during which two different drugs (compared to a placebo) will be used to alter muscle foodstuff availability. The study will take place at the Department of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter, under well-controlled laboratory conditions. By taking blood and muscle samples from the forearm, we will measure how the altered foodstuff availability affects muscle loss and associated cellular pathways. As such, this study will gain important insight in the roles of muscle disuse and nutrition in muscle health, and can be used to develop targeted interventions to preserve muscle mass and health during disuse.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
18/WA/0208
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion