Genotype-directed Dietary Prevention of Muscle Dysfunction in Older Adults: A Research Grant Application

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  • February 27, 2019
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  • Dong, Olivia
    • Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Nutrition
Abstract
  • Low choline intake has been shown to cause elevated creatine kinase activity in blood, which indicates muscle breakdown. The link between low choline intake and muscle damage has not been previously studied, so this proposed study aims to investigate the ability for optimal choline intake to blunt muscle dysfunction. Subjects with existing low choline intake and who are at risk for choline deficiency will be recruited into the study. Participants with the predisposing genotype for choline deficiency, or the MTHFD1 1958A variant, will be targeted for recruitment into the study. Additionally, participants will also need to be Caucasian, male, and between the ages of 50 and 70 to qualify. These additional characteristics also increase the risk for choline deficiency. Focusing on this particular group will provide a sample that is more homogenous in choline needs and eliminate inter-individual variations that genetic variation, gender, ethnicity, and age group can cause. Existing muscle dysfunction will be unmasked with eccentric exercises and the associated elevated serum creatine kinase activity will be used as a measure of muscle damage. A randomized, crossover study with 14 participants will be conducted during a six-week period. Within the six-week period, there will be a three-week period where participants will consume choline supplements and another three-week period where participants will consume placebos. There will be an exercise challenge with eccentric exercise during both periods and the absolute percent change in CK response will be compared in each period to evaluate choline’s ability to blunt this response. It is hypothesized that higher choline intake among 50-70-year-old Caucasian males with the MTHFD1 1958A variant decreases CK activity after high-intensity eccentric exercise. A better understanding of choline’s ability to mitigate muscle dysfunction among those with a predisposing genotype can help tailor choline intake recommendations. Preventing muscle dysfunction can potentially increase exercise tolerance and the ability for individuals to engage in physical activity. Long-term health benefits of improved exercise tolerance are largely unknown, but it can potentially promote healthy aging through higher tolerated intensities of resistance training. The most effective prevention and treatment intervention strategy to reverse muscle loss associated with aging is resistance training, but muscle dysfunction can impair the ability for individuals to tolerate this type of exercise. It is therefore crucial for older adults to engage in strength training exercises and for nutrient intake to be maximized in ways to support physical exertion. The results of this study could provide evidence to increase choline intake for those exercising and striving to preserve and increase muscle mass.
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  • In Copyright
Degree
  • Master of Public Health
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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  • 2013
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  • ec6acc1f-dd30-446a-a923-ede8671f2c72

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