| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Endocrinology Research Unit, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: K. S. Nair, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Endocrinology Research Unit, 5-194 Jo, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905. E-mail: nair.sree{at}mayo.edu.
Glucocorticoids can cause muscle atrophy, but the effect on muscle protein metabolism in humans has not been adequately studied to know whether protein synthesis, breakdown, or both are altered. We tested the effect of 6 d of oral prednisone (Pred, 0.5 mg/kg·d) on muscle protein metabolism and function. Six healthy subjects (three men/three women, 22–41 yr) completed two trials (randomized, double-blind, cross-over) with Pred and placebo. Fasting glucose, insulin, IGF-I, and glucagon were higher on Pred vs. placebo, whereas IGF-II and IGF binding protein-1 and -2 were lower. Whole-body amino acid fluxes, blood urea nitrogen, and urinary nitrogen loss were not statistically different between trials. Leg blood flow was 25% lower on Pred leading to 15–30% lower amino acid flux among the artery, vein, and muscle. However, amino acid net balance and rates of protein synthesis and breakdown were unchanged, as were synthesis rates of total mixed, mitochondrial, sarcoplasmic, and myosin heavy chain muscle proteins. Muscle mitochondrial function, muscle strength, and resting energy expenditure were also unchanged. These results demonstrate that a short-term moderate dose of prednisone affects glucose metabolism but has no effect on whole-body or leg muscle protein metabolism or muscle function.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  D. P Macfarlane, S. Forbes, and B. R Walker Glucocorticoids and fatty acid metabolism in humans: fuelling fat redistribution in the metabolic syndrome J. Endocrinol., May 1, 2008; 197(2): 189 - 204. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 X.-j. Zhang, O. Irtun, D. L. Chinkes, and R. R. Wolfe Acute responses of muscle protein metabolism to reduced blood flow reflect metabolic priorities for homeostasis Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, March 1, 2008; 294(3): E551 - E557. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Falhammar, H. Filipsson, G. Holmdahl, P.-O. Janson, A. Nordenskjold, K. Hagenfeldt, and M. Thoren Fractures and Bone Mineral Density in Adult Women with 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2007; 92(12): 4643 - 4649. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. G. Burt, G. Johannsson, A. M. Umpleby, D. J. Chisholm, and K. K. Y. Ho Impact of Acute and Chronic Low-Dose Glucocorticoids on Protein Metabolism J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2007; 92(10): 3923 - 3929. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. J. Christiansen, C. B. Djurhuus, C. H. Gravholt, P. Iversen, J. S. Christiansen, O. Schmitz, J. Weeke, J. O. L. Jorgensen, and N. Moller Effects of Cortisol on Carbohydrate, Lipid, and Protein Metabolism: Studies of Acute Cortisol Withdrawal in Adrenocortical Failure J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2007; 92(9): 3553 - 3559. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. G. Burt, J. Gibney, and K. K. Y. Ho Protein metabolism in glucocorticoid excess: study in Cushing's syndrome and the effect of treatment Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, May 1, 2007; 292(5): E1426 - E1432. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Tom and K. S. Nair Assessment of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Status and Potential for Biomarkers J. Nutr., January 1, 2006; 136(1): 324S - 330S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Endocrinology | Endocrine Reviews | J. Clin. End. & Metab. |
| Molecular Endocrinology | Recent Prog. Horm. Res. | All Endocrine Journals |
