American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 36, 602-610, Copyright © 1982 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc

ORIGINAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Skeletal muscle function in malnutrition

J Lopes, DM Russell, J Whitwell and KN Jeejeebhoy

Skeletal muscle function was studied in 10 malnourished patients with various gastrointestinal disorders and in 22 normal subjects. The function of the adductor pollicis muscle was assessed by electrical stimulation of the ulnar nerve. The objective parameters of muscle function measured were: 1) Force of contraction expressed as a percentage of the maximal force obtained with electrical stimulation at 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100 Hz. 2) Maximal relaxation rate expressed as percentage force loss/!10 ms. 3) Endurance expressed as percentage force loss/30 s. The force of contraction at 10 Hz was higher in malnourished patients compared with normal subjects, with a mean +/- SEM (n) of 43.0 +/- 4.2% (n = 10) and 28.8 +/- 1.2% (n = 22), respectively, (p less than 0.001). The maximal relaxation rate was slower in patients compared with normals with a mean +/- SEM (n) of 7.2 +/- 0.4% (n = 9) ad 9.6 +/- 0.2% (n = 22), respectively, (p less than 0.001). Muscle endurance testing showed an increased force loss with prolonged tetanic stimulation in patients compared with normals, with a mean +/- SEM (n) of 29.1 +/- 4.0% (n = 7) and 3.5 +/- 0.8% (n = 22), respectively, (p less than 0.001). Four patients were restudied after a 4-wk period of total parenteral nutrition, with a significant improvement in muscle function parameters. Malnutrition results in both increased muscle fatiguability and an altered pattern of muscle contraction and relaxation which are reversible by nutritional supplementation. This technique promises to be valuable in assessing the functional effects of malnutrition and the response to nutritional support.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. R Wolfe The underappreciated role of muscle in health and disease. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2006; 84(3): 475 - 482. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M. Dias, C. P. Passaro, V. R. Cagido, M. Einicker-Lamas, J. Lowe, E. M. Negri, V. L. Capelozzi, W. A. Zin, and P. R. M. Rocco Effects of undernutrition on respiratory mechanics and lung parenchyma remodeling J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2004; 97(5): 1888 - 1896. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Matecki, G. Py, K. Lambert, C. Peyreigne, J. Mercier, C. Prefaut, and M. Ramonatxo Effect of Prolonged Undernutrition on Rat Diaphragm Mitochondrial Respiration Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol., February 1, 2002; 26(2): 239 - 245. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Akner and T. Cederholm Treatment of protein-energy malnutrition in chronic nonmalignant disorders Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2001; 74(1): 6 - 24. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L.-W. Chu, K. S. L. Lam, S. C. F. Tam, W. J. H. C. Hu, S.-L. Hui, A. Chiu, K.-C. Chiu, and P. Ng A Randomized Controlled Trial of Low-Dose Recombinant Human Growth Hormone in the Treatment of Malnourished Elderly Medical Patients J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2001; 86(5): 1913 - 1920. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease . A Statement of the American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., April 1, 1999; 159(4): S2 - 40. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J Norwood, D Short, and N Dakhill Prescribing of nutritional supplements is increasing in general practice BMJ, March 20, 1999; 318(7186): 808 - 808. [Full Text]

				J. Potter, P. Langhorne, and M. Roberts Routine protein energy supplementation in adults: systematic review BMJ, August 22, 1998; 317(7157): 495 - 501. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				N. Hanchard, M Williamson, R W Caley, and R G Cooper Electrical stimulation of human tibialis anterior: (A) contractile properties are stable over a range of submaximal voltages; (B) high- and low-frequency fatigue are inducible and reliably assessable at submaximal voltages Clinical Rehabilitation, May 1, 1998; 12(5): 413 - 427. [Abstract] [PDF]