HyperEx - Effect of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy on metabolism, metabolite exchange and the organ fate of glucose

Global skeletal muscle hypertrophy commonly has anti-obesity and antidiabetes effects, whereas global muscle atrophy worsens metabolic health. The aim of project P01 is to elucidate the underlying metabolic mechanisms using advanced methods of metabolic research. First, we will use [13C] stable isotope tracers to determine how hypertrophying and atrophying myotubes metabolize glucose, lactate, serine, valine, and taurine. We will also perform an inhibitor screen to identify metabolic enzymes or transporters that limit muscle hypertrophy. Second, we will study how hypertrophying and atrophying human leg muscles alter their metabolite uptake and release when compared to leg muscles in a size steady state. Third, we will study in myotube-adipocyte co-culture and pigs how muscle hypertrophy (and atrophy in cell culture) alters the organ/cell fate of [13C]-glucose.