Abstract
Metabolism represents the “ensemble” of biochemical reactions, ensuring proper cell homeostasis and correct body functioning. The redox reactions of chemical species lead to energy transformation and heat production. Different strategies have been developed over the time to measure the energy consumed by the body to maintain its homeostasis during daily life as well as to investigate specific metabolic pathways and biochemical substrates utilization. In this chapter, a brief overview is offered on the application of the key techniques to examine human metabolism.
Direct calorimetry is performed in a confined space and relies on body heat production to evaluate energy expenditure. The method is time-consuming and requires an isolated chamber specifically equipped for the purpose. Indirect calorimetry is the technique that assesses energy expenditure through measuring O2 and CO2 exchanges, which reflect body energy consumption. Indirect calorimetry allows to obtain data on substrate oxidation.
Doubly labelled water is a very accurate system for measuring energy expenditure in free-living condition. It uses spectrometric measure of labelled isotopes (2H, 18O) excreted through urine and breath to estimate metabolic rate. Accelerometers are devices that estimate energy expenditure by computing body movements with accessory biological measures. Their accuracy is still debated, especially in obese subjects. Finally, magnetic resonance spectrometry is a technique employed to explore biochemical pathways and metabolic fate of energy substrates.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Rolfe DFS, Brown GC. Cellular energy utilization and molecular origin of standard metabolic rate in mammals. Physiol Rev. 1997;77:731. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.1997.77.3.731.
Jonckheer J, Vergaelen K, Spapen H, Malbrain MLNG, De Waele E. Modification of nutrition therapy during continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill pediatric patients: a narrative review and recommendations. Nutr Clin Pract. 2019;34:37–47. https://doi.org/10.1002/ncp.10231.
Lam YY, Ravussin E. Indirect calorimetry: an indispensable tool to understand and predict obesity. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2017;71:1197–202. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2016.220.
van Herwaarden S, Iervolino E. Calorimetry measurement. In: Measurement instrumentation, sensors handbook: spatial, mechanical, thermal, and radiation measurement. 2nd ed. London: Wiley; 2017. https://doi.org/10.1201/b15474.
Kenny GP, Notley SR, Gagnon D. Direct calorimetry: a brief historical review of its use in the study of human metabolism and thermoregulation. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017;117:1965–85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3670-5.
Walsberg GE, Hoffman TCM. Direct calorimetry reveals large errors in respirometric estimates of energy expenditure. J Exp Biol. 2005;208:1035–43. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.01477.
Haugen AH, Chan LN, Li F. Indirect calorimetry: a practical guide for clinicians. Nutr Clin Pract. 2007;22:377–88. https://doi.org/10.1177/0115426507022004377.
McArthur C. Indirect calorimetry. Respir Care Clin N Am. 1997;3:291–307. https://doi.org/10.1097/00044067-200305000-00005.
Da Rocha EEM, Alves VGF, Da Fonseca RBV. Indirect calorimetry: methodology, instruments and clinical application. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2006;9:247–56. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.mco.0000222107.15548.f5.
Chatterjea MN, Shinde R. Textbook of medical biochemistry. 8th ed. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2012.
Popp CJ, Tisch JJ, Sakarcan KE, Bridges WC, Jesch ED. Approximate time to steady-state resting energy expenditure using indirect calorimetry in young, healthy adults. Front Nutr. 2016;3:49. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2016.00049.
Brandi LS, Bertolini R, Calafà M. Indirect calorimetry in critically ill patients: clinical applications and practical advice. Nutrition. 1997;13:349–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0899-9007(97)83059-6.
Overstreet BS, Bassett DR, Crouter SE, Rider BC, Parr BB. Portable open-circuit spirometry systems. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2017;57:227–37. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06049-7.
Maughan RJ. Sport and exercise nutrition. In: Caballero B, editor. Encyclopedia of human nutrition. 3rd ed. Academic Press; 2013. p. 204–8. ISBN 9780123848857. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-375083-9.00253-1.
Macfarlane DJ. Open-circuit respirometry: a historical review of portable gas analysis systems. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017;117:2369–86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3716-8.
Wolinsky IJAD. Sports nutrition energy metabolism and exercise. Boca Raton: Taylor and Francis; 2008.
Buchowski MS. Doubly labeled water is a validated and verified reference standard in nutrition research. J Nutr. 2014;144:573–4. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.114.191361.
Westerterp KR. Doubly labelled water assessment of energy expenditure: principle, practice, and promise. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017;117:1277–85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3641-x.
Schoeller DA. Measurement of energy expenditure in free-living humans by using doubly labeled water. J Nutr. 1988;118:1278–89. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/118.11.1278.
Pisanu S, Deledda A, Loviselli A, Huybrechts I, Velluzzi F. Validity of accelerometers for the evaluation of energy expenditure in obese and overweight individuals: a systematic review. J Nutr Metab. 2020;2020:2327017. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/2327017.
Papazoglou D, Augello G, Tagliaferri M, Savia G, Marzullo P, Maltezos E, Liuzzi A. Evaluation of a multisensor armband in estimating energy expenditure in obese individuals. Obesity. 2006;14:2217–23. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2006.260.
Faghihi R, Zeinali-Rafsanjani B, Mosleh-Shirazi MA, Saeedi-Moghadam M, Lotfi M, Jalli R, Iravani V. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and its clinical applications: a review. J Med Imaging Radiat Sci. 2017;48:233–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmir.2017.06.004.
Van Der Graaf M. In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy: basic methodology and clinical applications. Eur Biophys J. 2010;39:527–40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00249-009-0517-y.
Codella R. Mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial studies of ATP synthesis. In: Cellular physiology and metabolism of physical exercise. Milan: Springer; 2012. p. 43–53.
Boesch C, Machann J, Vermathen P, Schick F. Role of proton MR for the study of muscle lipid metabolism. NMR Biomed. 2006;19:968–88. https://doi.org/10.1002/nbm.1096.
Hsu AC, Joan Dawson M. Accuracy of 1H and 31P MRS analyses of lactate in skeletal muscle. Magn Reson Med. 2000;44:418–26. https://doi.org/10.1002/1522-2594(200009)44:3<418::AID-MRM12>3.0.CO;2-G.
Richardson RS, Duteil S, Wary C, Wray DW, Hoff J, Carlier PG. Human skeletal muscle intracellular oxygenation: the impact of ambient oxygen availability. J Physiol. 2006;571:415–54. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2005.102327.
Alves TC, Befroy DE, Kibbey RG, Kahn M, Codella R, Carvalho RA, Petersen KF, Shulman GI, Falk Petersen K, Shulman GI. Regulation of hepatic fat and glucose oxidation in rats with lipid-induced hepatic insulin resistance. Hepatology. 2011;53:1175–81.
Jue T, Rothman DL, Shulman GI, Tavitian BA, DeFronzo RA, Shulman RG. Direct observation of glycogen synthesis in human muscle with 13C NMR. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1989;86:4489–91. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.86.12.4489.
Petersen KF, Befroy D, Dufour S, Dziura J, Ariyan C, Rothman DL, DiPietro L, Cline GW, Shulman GI. Mitochondrial dysfunction in the elderly: possible role in insulin resistance. Science. 2003;300:1140–2.
Kemp GJ, Radda GK. Quantitative interpretation of bioenergetic data from 31P and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies of skeletal muscle: an analytical review. Magn Reson Q. 1994;10:43–63.
Choi CS, Befroy DE, Codella R, et al. Paradoxical effects of increased expression of PGC-1 on muscle mitochondrial function and insulin-stimulated muscle glucose metabolism. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2008;105:19926–31.
Chance B, Leigh JS Jr, Clark BJ, Maris J, Kent J, Nioka SSD. Control of oxidative metabolism and oxygen delivery in human skeletal muscle: a steady-state analysis of the work/energy cost transfer function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985;82:8384–8.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Codella, R. (2021). Techniques to Study Metabolism. In: Luzi, L. (eds) Thyroid, Obesity and Metabolism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80267-7_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80267-7_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-80266-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-80267-7
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)