Reduced Basal ATP Synthetic Flux of Skeletal Muscle in Patients with Previous Acromegaly
2008

Reduced ATP Production in Skeletal Muscle of Patients with Previous Acromegaly

Sample size: 14 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Szendroedi Julia, Zwettler Elisabeth, Schmid Albrecht Ingo, Chmelik Marek, Pacini Giovanni, Kacerovsky Gertrud, Smekal Gerhard, Nowotny Peter, Wagner Oswald, Schnack Christoph, Schernthaner Guntram, Klaushofer Klaus, Roden Michael

Primary Institution: 1st Med. Department and Karl-Landsteiner Institute for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria

Hypothesis

Are the metabolic alterations associated with active acromegaly completely reversed by normalizing the endocrine and metabolic environment?

Conclusion

Patients with a history of acromegaly show reduced insulin secretion and ATP synthesis in muscles, along with increased liver fat content.

Supporting Evidence

  • Patients with previous acromegaly had 85% lower insulin secretion compared to controls.
  • Muscle ATP production was 25% lower in patients with previous acromegaly.
  • Liver fat content was three times higher in patients with previous acromegaly.

Takeaway

People who had acromegaly in the past have trouble making energy in their muscles and have more fat in their liver, even after treatment.

Methodology

The study involved 7 patients with previous acromegaly and 7 matched healthy controls, assessing insulin sensitivity, ATP production, and lipid content using various tests including magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Limitations

The study design does not allow for determining whether the observed abnormalities are direct results of previous GH/IGF-I excess or long-term metabolic alterations.

Participant Demographics

7 patients with previous acromegaly (4 females, 3 males, average age 46 years) and 7 healthy controls (3 females, 4 males, average age 43 years).

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0003958

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