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Differences in resting metabolic rate between paraplegic and able-bodied subjects are explained by differences in
Andrea C Buchholz1, Colleen F McGillivray, Paul B Pencharz
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Ontario.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|January 24, 2003
Summary
Paraplegics have lower fat-free mass (FFM), body cell mass (BCM), and resting metabolic rate (RMR) compared to able-bodied individuals. However, RMR is similar when adjusted for FFM, suggesting comparable metabolic function in the fat-free body mass.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Metabolism
- Body Composition
Background:
- Limited understanding of body composition and energy metabolism in paraplegia.
- Investigating differences between paraplegic and able-bodied individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare body composition and energy metabolism between paraplegics and able-bodied controls.
- To test the hypothesis that paraplegics have lower fat-free mass (FFM), body cell mass (BCM), resting metabolic rate (RMR), and thermic effect of feeding (TEF).
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 34 controls and 28 paraplegics.
- Indirect calorimetry used to measure RMR and TEF.
- Deuterium dilution and bromide space measured for body water to calculate FFM and BCM.
Main Results:
- Paraplegics had significantly lower FFM, BCM, and RMR than controls.
- FFM was the strongest predictor of RMR in both groups.
- RMR and TEF did not differ significantly between groups after adjusting for FFM.
Conclusions:
- Paraplegics exhibit reduced FFM, BCM, and RMR compared to able-bodied individuals.
- Adjusting for FFM reveals no significant difference in RMR between the groups.
- Metabolic activity within the fat-free mass is similar in both paraplegics and controls.