Energetic efficiency is important for health (e.g. genesis of obesity in humans), socio-economically important for meat production systems (e.g. feed cost to produce high quality protein) and important for the environment (e.g. use of natural resources and production of green house gases for meat production). Mitochondria are organelles that play an essential role in cellular metabolism and homeostasis related to energy utilization. These processes involve several proteins to ensure continuous availability of energy to the cells. The Shc proteins play a key role in substrate oxidation and energy metabolism. Additionally, the mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCPs) participate in physiological processes that may account for variation in energy expenditures in tissues. However, the mechanisms behind energy expenditure in animals are largely unknown. Thus, in order to study the energy metabolism and mitochondria function, studies using a nutritional, biochemical and molecular approaches were conducted with mice and cattle. The purpose of the first study was to determine if Shc proteins influence the metabolic response to acute (5-7 days) feeding of a high fat diet (HFD). To this end, whole animal energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were measured in the Shc knockout (ShcKO) and wild-type (WT) male mice consuming either a control or HFD diet. The activities of enzymes of glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, electron transport chain (ETC), and &beta;-oxidation were investigated in liver and skeletal muscle. The study showed that ShcKO increases (P < 0.05) energy expenditure (EE) adjusted for either total body weight or lean mass. This change in EE could explain the decrease in weight gain observed in ShcKO versus WT mice fed an HFD. Thus, our results indicate that Shc proteins should be considered as potential targets for developing interventions to mitigate weight gain on HFD by stimulating EE. Although decreased levels of Shc proteins influenced the activity of some enzymes in response to high fat feeding, such as increasing the activity of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, it did not produce concerted changes in enzymes of glycolysis, citric acid cycle or the ETC. However, the physiological significance of these changes in enzyme activities remains to be determined. The purpose of experiment 2 was to study the association among heat production, blood parameters and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in Nellore bulls with high and low residual feed intake (RFI). The RFI values were obtained by regression of dry mater intake (DMI) in relation to average daily gain and mid-test metabolic body weight. Thus, 18 animals (9 in each group) were individually fed in a feedlot for 98 days. The heart rate (HR) of bulls was monitored for 4 consecutive days and used to calculate the estimated heat production (EHP). Electrodes were fitted to bulls with stretch belts and oxygen consumption was obtained using a facemask connected to the gas analyzer and HR was simultaneously measured for 15 minutes period. Daily EHP was calculated multiplying oxygen pulse (O2P) by the average HR, assuming 4.89 kcal/L of O2. Blood parameters such as hematocrit, hemoglobin, and glucose were assayed between 45 and 90 days. Immediately after slaughter, liver, muscle and adipose tissues (subcutaneous and visceral fat) were collected and, subsequently, mtDNA copy number per cell was quantified in tissues by quantitative real-time PCR. The proteome of hepatic tissue and levels of mitochondrial UCPs were also investigated. We found similar EHP and O2 consumption between RFI groups, while low RFI bulls (more efficient in feed conversion) shown lower HR, hemoglobin and hematocrit percentage (P < 0.05), confirming previous data from our group. In addition, 71 protein spots in liver were differentially expressed (P < 0.05) and no differences were detected for UCPs levels between RFI groups. Finally, there was no association between amounts of mtDNA and the RFI phenotypes, suggesting that mitochondrial abundance in liver, muscle, and adipose tissue was similar between efficient and inefficient groups. However, additional studies to confirm this hypothesis are needed. / A eficiência energética é importante para a saúde humana (gênese da obesidade), sistemas de produção de carne (custo dos alimentos para produzir proteínas de alta qualidade) e para o meio ambiente (uso de recursos naturais e mitigação de gases de efeito estufa). As mitocôndrias são organelas que desempenham papel central no metabolismo e homeostase relacionada a utilização da energia. Nas células, diversas proteínas são importantes para melhorar a eficiência energética. Como exemplos, as proteínas de sinalização Shc são fundamentais na oxidação de substratos e metabolismo energético e, nas mitocôndrias, existem as proteínas desacopladoras (UCPs), que participam do gasto energético e produção de calor. Entretanto, os mecanismos que controlam o gasto energético nos animais ainda é bastante desconhecido. Assim, para estudar o metabolismo energético e a função das mitocôndrias foram conduzidos dois estudos utilizando-se estratégias nutricionais, bioquímicas e moleculares com camundongos (1) e bovinos (2). Objetivou-se, no estudo 1, determinar se as proteínas Shc influenciam a resposta metabólica à alimentação contendo dieta rica em gordura (HFD) por 7 dias. Enzimas da via glicolítica, ciclo de Krebs, cadeia transportadora de elétron (CTE) e &beta;-oxidação foram analisadas no fígado e músculo de camundongos com baixa expressão de Shc (knockout ou ShcKO) e comuns (wild-type ou WT) submetidos à uma dieta controle ou à HFD. O gasto energético foi medido por câmara calorimétrica de respiração nos animais. O genótipo ShcKO apresentou maior gasto energético (P < 0.05) ajustado para o peso corporal total ou massa magra. Essa mudança poderia explicar o menor ganho de peso observado no genótipo ShcKO comparado ao WT quando consumindo a HFD. Esses resultados sugerem que as proteínas Shc podem contribuir no desenvolvimento de estratégias para mitigar o ganho de peso. Embora a redução dos níveis de Shc (ShcKO) tenha modificado a atividade de enzimas da &beta;-oxidação em resposta a HFD, tal condição não produziu mudanças semelhantes na via glicolítica, ciclo de Krebs ou CTE. Por isso, mais estudos são necessários para compreender a significância fisiológica dessas alterações. No experimento 2, objetivou-se estudar a associação entre produção de calor, variáveis sanguíneas e número de cópias de DNA mitocondrial (mtDNA) em bovinos Nelore agrupados pelo consumo alimentar residual (CAR). O CAR foi obtido por regressão do consumo de matéria seca em relação ao ganho de peso diário e peso metabólico do teste de desempenho (fase de crescimento). Assim, 18 bovinos (9 alto CAR versus 9 baixo CAR) foram confinados em baias individuais por 98 dias (fase de terminação). Os batimentos cardíacos (BC) dos bovinos foram monitorados por quatro dias consecutivos e, então, utilizados para o cálculo da produção de calor estimada (PCe). O consumo e pulso de oxigênio (O2) foram obtidos por meio de analisador de gás conectado à uma máscara facial, com medição simultânea dos BC por 15 minutos. A PCe diária foi calculada por multiplicação do pulso de O2 pela média dos BC, assumindo-se a constante 4.89 kcal/L de O2. Foram analisadas variáveis sanguíneas como hematócrito, hemoglobina e glicose (alto vs. baixo CAR). Imediatamente após o abate dos animais, amostras de fígado, músculo e tecido adiposo foram coletadas para determinação do mtDNA por PCR em tempo real. Adicionalmente, o proteoma do tecido hepático e os níveis de UCPs nos tecidos foram também investigados. Não houve diferença para PCe e consumo de O2 (P > 0.05) entre os grupos experimentais, entretanto, os animais baixo CAR (mais eficientes em conversão alimentar) demonstraram menor BC, concentração de hemoglobina e percentagem de hematócrito (P < 0.05), confirmando resultados previamente observados em nossos estudos. No fígado, 71 spots proteicos foram diferentes (P < 0.05) entre os grupos alto e baixo CAR, mas nenhuma diferença foi observada para os níveis de UCPs no músculo, fígado ou tecido adiposo. Por fim, não existiu diferença (P > 0.05) entre o número de cópias do mtDNA por célula entre os fenótipos estudados, sugerindo que o número de mitocôndrias e possivelmente a fosforilação oxidativa foi semelhante entre os grupos de animais eficientes e ineficientes. Contudo, são necessários estudos adicionais para confirmar essa hipótese.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are both complex diseases with multifactorial etiologies. Together they affect over 640 million people worldwide and have a significant impact on the global healthcare system incurring costs of over 800 billion dollars. The overall goal of my doctoral research has been to elucidate metabolic predictors and underlying mechanisms in obesity and T2DM. Specifically, I have examined mechanisms contributing to disordered oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle. My research included participants who were recruited from the Ottawa Hospital Weight Management Clinic in which they completed a clinically supervised meal-replacement and lifestyle intervention program. More so, my doctoral studies evaluated characteristics of muscle mitochondrial function in obesity and T2DM and revealed impaired mitochondrial respiration and electron transport chain supercomplex assembly in muscle from patients with T2DM. The first aim was to study the impact of T2DM on weight loss ability in a large population of obese patients participating in a standardized meal replacement and lifestyle modification program. As there is considerable variability in weight loss propensity, it was found that T2DM significantly deters weight loss although the effect is not large. Since skeletal muscle energetics are central in the development and progression of obesity and T2DM, the second and third aims were to study mitochondrial function in this tissue with the idea of uncovering molecular etiologies. The second aim found deficiencies in mitochondrial respiration in individuals with obesity and T2DM compared to individuals with obesity alone. Reductions in mitochondrial respiration were correlated with increasing levels of HbA1C and attributed to paucity in supercomplex formation in the mitochondrial inner membrane (MIM) of the electron transport chain (ETC). The third aim was to delineate differential fuel oxidation mechanisms and circulating protein biomarkers in obese diet-sensitive (ODS) and obese diet-resistant (ODR) participants following a high fat meal (HFM) challenge. Whole-body analyses were conducted in addition to measures in blood, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and primary cells. Remarkable increases in oxidative capacity were measured post-HFM. In addition, impaired mitochondrial function was found in the ODR group despite lack of differences in mitochondrial content or the assembly of supercomplexes. Differences were also found in circulating acylcarnitines as well as expression of several proteins including Heat shock 70 kDa protein 1A/1B, Tyrosine-protein kinase Fgr, and Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase D. Ultimately, a better understanding of mechanisms involved could lead to significant improvements in personalized medical approaches in obesity and T2DM.

This thesis deals with in vivo MR spectroscopy. Measurements in this thesis were performed on whole-body MR tomograph at the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine in Prague. The objective of the thesis was to study differences in the biochemical processes and energy metabolism in the muscle tissue under physical workload between the groups of healthy subjects and patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1). We used phosphorous spectroscopy in combination with ergometer. The thesis is divided into five chapters. The first chapter describes theoretical introduction to in vivo 1 H and 31 P MR spectroscopy and muscle metabolism, the second chapter deals with the description of the experimental equipment and measurement, results of the thesis are reported in the third chapter and the fourth chapter is a discussion of results. Main result of this work is summarized in conclusion; we found differences between the metabolism of patients with DM1 and healthy volunteers.

The diploma thesis The legacy of Wilhelm Reich and its reflexion in the work of the founders of Bioenergetics, Biosynthesis and Biodynamic psychology is devoted to a comparison of the most important theoretical concepts and therapeutic techniques of Wilhelm Reich with the methods of the founders of selected psychotherapeutic approaches that draw from his work. These are the founder of Bioenergetics Alexander Lowen, founder of the Biosynthesis David Boadella and founder of Biodynamic Psychology Gerda Boyesen. These authors created distinct therapeutic approaches based on Reich's concepts that significantly shaped the field of the Body- Psychotherapy. The first part explains the technique of Character-Analysis and Vegetotherapy, the Orgasm Theory (the role of sexuality in the etiology of neurosis), a typology of Character structures, the Orgonomic Research and principles of the Orgonomic Functionalism, which Reich defined and used in practice. There is briefly introduced the history of the development within the Neoreichian movement (Reich pupils and followers) in the second half of the 20th century. The vast majority of the second part of the thesis is devoted to reflection on Reich's work in the selected body-psychotherapeutic schools and the way they work with his legacy. The Bioenergetics is...

Background: STAT3 is increasingly becoming known for its non-transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetic function upon activation of its S727 residue (S727-STAT3). Lengthy mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to cell death. We tested whether an integrin-FAK-STAT3 signaling pathway we recently discovered regulates mitochondrial function and cell survival, and treatments thereof. Methods: Cultured mouse brain bEnd5 endothelial cells were treated with integrin, FAK or STAT3 inhibitors, FAK siRNA, as well as integrin and STAT3 activators. STAT3 null cells were transfected with mutant STAT3 plasmids. Outcome measures included oxygen consumption rate for mitochondrial bioenergetics, Western blotting for protein phosphorylation, mitochondrial membrane potential for mitochondrial integrity, ROS production, and cell counts. Results: Vitronectin-dependent mitochondrial basal respiration, ATP production, and maximum reserve and respiratory capacities were suppressed within 4 h by RGD and αvβ3 integrin antagonist peptides. Conversely, integrin ligands vitronectin, laminin and fibronectin stimulated mitochondrial function. Pharmacological inhibition of FAK completely abolished mitochondrial function within 4 h while FAK siRNA treatments confirmed the specificity of FAK signaling. WT, but not S727A functionally dead mutant STAT3, rescued bioenergetics in cells made null for STAT3 using CRISPR-Cas9. STAT3 inhibition with stattic in whole cells rapidly reduced mitochondrial function and mitochondrial pS727-STAT3. Stattic treatment of isolated mitochondria did not reduce pS727 whereas more was detected upon phosphatase inhibition. This suggests that S727-STAT3 is activated in the cytoplasm and is short-lived upon translocation to the mitochondria. FAK inhibition reduced pS727-STAT3 within mitochondria and reduced mitochondrial function in a non-transcriptional manner, as shown by co-treatment with actinomycin. Treatment with the small molecule bryostatin-1 or hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which indirectly activate S727-STAT3, preserved mitochondrial function during FAK inhibition, but failed in the presence of the STAT3 inhibitor. FAK inhibition induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which was counteracted by bryostatin, and increased superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production. Bryostatin and HGF reduced the substantial cell death caused by FAK inhibition over a 24 h period. Conclusion: These data suggest that extracellular matrix molecules promote STAT3-dependent mitochondrial function and cell survival through integrin-FAK signaling. We furthermore show a new treatment strategy for cell survival using S727-STAT3 activators.

<p>Primena biomarkera ćelijske energetike, uključujući indikatore metabolizma kreatina u krvi, je relativno novijeg datuma, gde se ovi indikatori koriste kao mogući pokazatelji stanja organizma pri maksimalno intenzivnim fizičkim aktivnostima. Cilj istraživanja je obuhvatao utvrđivanje efekata pojedinačnih epizoda aerobnog i anaerobnog vežbanja maksimalnog intenziteta na biomarkere perifernog zamora i ćelijske bioenergetike kod mladih mu&scaron;karaca i žena. Istraživanje je dizajnirano tako da obuhvati populaciju fizički aktivnih mu&scaron;karaca i žena, kao i populaciju aktivnih sportista. U prvom eksperimentalnom tretmanu fizički aktivni ispitanici mu&scaron;kog (n =12) i ženskog pola (n = 11) podvrgnuti su test protokolima aerobnog i anaerobnog opterećenja maksimalnog intenzivnog i kratkog trajanja. Tokom aerobnog test protokola ispitanici su trčali do maksimalnog voljnog otkaza na tredmil traci sa progresivnim povećanjem opterećenja. Pri anaerobnom test protokolu ispitanici su izvr&scaron;ili testiranje snažne izdržljivosti gornjih ekstremiteta do otkaza potiskom sa ravne klupe, uz opterećenje od 25% od njihove telesne težine. Drugi eksperimentalni tretman je sačinjen iz pre-eksperimentalnog testiranja kardiorespiratorne forme i eksperimentalne protokol sesije trčanja do maksimalnog voljnog otkaza na pokretnoj traci, pri konstantnoj individualnoj brzina trčanja na anaerobnom pragu. U ovom eksperimentalnom tretmanu bila je uključena populacija aktivnih sportista&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (n = 10). Pre, tokom i nakon eksperimentalnih sesija praćena je koncentracija različitih biohemijskih i hematolo&scaron;kih markera: guanidinosirćetna kiselina (GAA); kreatin (Cr); kreatinin (Crn); laktat (Lac); interleukin-6 (IL-6); kreatin kinaza (CK); kortizol (Cor). Rezultati prvog eksperimentalnog tretmana su utvrdili statistički značajne promene u koncentraciji GAA, Cr i Crn u ktvi pre i nakon pojedinačne epizode aerobnog i anaerobnog vežbanja maksimalnim intenzitetom. Utvrđena je i statistički značajna povezanost između vežbanjem-indukovanih promena u cirkulatornim vrednostima GAA, Cr, Crn za vreme pre, tokom i nakon drugog eksperimentalnog tretmana. Uočena je statistički značajna povezanost između promena koncentracije GAA, Cr, Crn u serumu sa tradicionalnim biomarkerima perifernog zamora (IL6, Cor, Lac, CK). Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju na mogućnost primene biomarkera metabolizma kreatina u krvi prilikom praćenja i evaluacije stanja organizma tokom maksimalnih intenzivnih fizičkih aktivnosti kod mladih mu&scaron;karaca i žena.</p> / <p>The use of biomarkers of cellular bioenergetics in exercise science appears more prevalent in recent years, where these outcomes perhaps describe changes in creatine metabolism during strenuous exercise. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of individual episodes of strenuous aerobic and anaerobic exercise on several biomarkers of peripheral fatigue and cellular bioenergetics in young men and women. The study recruited physically active men and women, and active athletes. In the first experiment, physically active men (n = 12) and women (n = 11) were subjected to strenuous aerobic and anaerobic exercise. During the aerobic test, subjects ran to exhaustion while during the anaerobic test, subjects performed repetitive bench press exercise. The second experimental treatment consisted of a pre-experimental testing of cardiorespiratory fitness, and an experimental protocol of a strenuous running session to exhaustion at constant individual running speed at the anaerobic threshold; active athletes (n = 10) were included in this experimental treatment. The blood levels of various biochemical and hematological markers were monitored before, during and after the experimental sessions, including guanidinoacetic acid (GAA); creatine (Cr); creatinine (Crn); lactate (Lac); interleukin-6 (IL-6); creatine kinase (CK); cortisol (Cor), and plethora of other physiological outcomes. We found statistically significant changes in serum GAA, Cr and Crn before and after a single session of strenuous aerobic and anaerobic exercise. A significant correlation was found between exercise-induced changes in serum GAA, Cr and Crn before, during and after the second experimental intervention. A statistically significant association was observed between changes in serum GAA, Cr, Crn and traditional biomarkers of peripheral fatigue (IL6, Cor, Lac, CK). The results of the present study suggest that biomarkers of creatine metabolism might be used as innovative tools in monitoring strenuous exercise in young men and women.</p>

A new metric for the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of bone stiffness is introduced. It is based on the spectral decomposition of stiffness matrix computed with finite element method. The here proposed metric is defined as an amplitude rescaled eigenvalues of stiffness matrix. The metric contains unique information on the principal stiffness of bone and reflects both bone shape and material properties. The metric was compared with anthropometrical measures and was tested for sex sensitivity on pelvis bone. Further, the smallest stiffness of pelvis was computed under a certain loading condition and analyzed with respect to sex and direction. The metric complements anthropometrical measures and provides a unique information about the smallest bone stiffness independent from the loading configuration and can be easily computed by state-of-the-art subject specified finite element algorithms.

No description available.

The value of the adenylate energy charge [(ATP)+1/2(ADP)/(ATP)+(ADP)+(AMP)] in Azotobacter vinelandii cells was monitored during growth and germination in flask cultures. The miximal value of 0.88 was attained during mid-log phase; this declined gradually to 0.50 by late stationary phase. When these cultures were transferred to encystment media, the adenylate energy charge decreased to an average value of 0.40 as the vegetative cells encysted and remained unchanged during the next 20 days. Encystment cultures wre composed of vegetative cells, encysting cells and mature cysts but the proportionate value of the energy charge could be assigned. Viability of the total population remained 95% or higher during the entire period studied. Azotobacter vinelandii cysts cultivated on phosphate-sufficient media. Although cell protein and nucleic acids were unaffected by phosphate deficiency, cell wall structures, oxygen uptake and sncystment were significantly affected. Phosphate-limited cysts contained much larger amounts of poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid but had a lower adenylate energy charge than did control cysts. The ATP/ADP ratio was much lower in phosophate-deficient cysts than in the control cysts. The data indicate a "substrate saving" choice of three metabolic pathways available to cells of Azotobacter under different growth conditions.

The estuarine sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) is the most eurythermic fish species, with a thermal tolerance window between 0.6°C and 45.1°C. However, little is known about the physiological mechanisms that allow this species to survive this temperature range. In order to understand how sheepshead minnow physiology is affected by temperature acclimation and acute changes in temperature, I conducted research on this species using a multi-level approach. I began at the organismal level, and examined the effects of these temperature changes on the sheepshead minnow's metabolic rate and swimming performance. The next chapter investigated the effects of changing temperatures on cardiac function (i.e., tissue/organ specific effects). In the final chapter, I conducted research at the sub-cellular level, and determined how mitochondrial bioenergetics / function is impacted by changing temperatures. This research shows that while sheepshead minnows are able to sustain heart function and mitochondrial respiration over a broad range of temperatures; they also display a plastic temperature response which is associated with the downregulation of standard metabolic rate and cardiac remodeling to maintain force generation. Collectively, these physiological responses may contribute to the sheepshead minnow's ability to maintain physiological and organismal function across a large temperature range.