Protein synthesis rates of muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, and bone tissue in vivo in humans

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224745
• Publication Date: 2019-11-07T18:49:32Z
• Authors: Joey S. J. Smeets; Astrid M. H. Hors...; Georges F. Vles; Pieter J. Emans; Joy P. B. Goessens; Annemie P. Gijsen; Janneau M. X. van...; Luc J. C. van Loon
• Keywords: Muscle tissue

Skeletal muscle plasticity is reflected by a dynamic balance between protein synthesis and breakdown, with basal tissue rates ranging 0.02 0.09%/h. Though it evident that other musculoskeletal tissues should also express some level of plasticity, data on most these in vivo humans limited. Six otherwise healthy patients (62±3 y), scheduled to undergo unilateral total knee arthroplasty, were subjected primed continuous intravenous infusions L-[ring-13C6]-Phenylalanine throughout the surgical procedure. Tissue samples obtained during surgery included muscle, tendon, cruciate ligaments, cartilage, bone, menisci, fat, synovium. Tissue-specific fractional (%/h) assessed measuring incorporation compared using paired t test. Tendon, Hoffa's fat pad, anterior posterior ligament, menisci averaged 0.06±0.01, 0.03±0.01, 0.04±0.01, 0.11±0.03, 0.07±0.02, 0.04±0.01%/h, respectively, did not significantly differ from skeletal (0.04±0.01%/h; P>0.05). Synovium derived (0.13±0.03%/h) intercondylar notch bone (0.03±0.01%/h) respectively higher lower (P<0.05 P<0.01, respectively). Basal various are within same range rates, synovium 0.13% per hour humans. Clinical trial registration: NTR5147.