The insulin resistance of aging has been attributed to a postreceptor defect in skeletal muscle. The present study examined whether a reduction in the concentration of the insulin-stimulated glucose transporter (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle was associated with advancing age in men (n = 55) and women (n = 29). Insulin sensitivity (minimal model) was negatively associated (P > 0.001) with age (range, 18–80 years) in men (r = −0.44) and women (r = −0.58). GLUT4 protein concentration in the vastus lateralis was also negatively associated (P < 0.05) with age (men, r = −0.28; women, r = −0.51). There was no relation (P > 0.15) between GLUT4 content in the gastrocnemius and age. GLUT4 concentration in the vastus lateralis was positively associated (P < 0.01) with insulin sensitivity in both sexes (r = 0.42); this relationship persisted in the men after adjusting for overall adiposity, regional adiposity, and cardiorespiratory fitness. These findings suggest that a decrement in GLUT4 protein concentration in skeletal muscle may at least partially contribute to the insulin resistance of aging in humans.
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Original Articles|
May 01 1995
Skeletal Muscle GLUT4 Protein Concentration and Aging in Humans
Joseph A Houmard;
Joseph A Houmard
Human Performance Laboratory, School of Health and Human Performance, School of Medicine, East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
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Melinda D Weidner;
Melinda D Weidner
Human Performance Laboratory, School of Health and Human Performance, School of Medicine, East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
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Patrcia L Dolan;
Patrcia L Dolan
Departments of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
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Nancy Leggett-Frazier;
Nancy Leggett-Frazier
Medicine, School of Medicine, East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
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Karen E Gavigan;
Karen E Gavigan
Human Performance Laboratory, School of Health and Human Performance, School of Medicine, East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
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Matthew S Hickey;
Matthew S Hickey
Human Performance Laboratory, School of Health and Human Performance, School of Medicine, East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
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Gilian L Tyndall;
Gilian L Tyndall
Human Performance Laboratory, School of Health and Human Performance, School of Medicine, East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
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Donghai Zheng;
Donghai Zheng
Human Performance Laboratory, School of Health and Human Performance, School of Medicine, East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
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Ayman Alshami;
Ayman Alshami
Medicine, School of Medicine, East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
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G Lynis Dohm
G Lynis Dohm
Departments of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
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Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Joseph Houmard, Human Performance Laboratory, 371 Sports Medicine Building, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858.
Diabetes 1995;44(5):555–560
Article history
Received:
July 05 1994
Revision Received:
January 19 1995
Accepted:
January 19 1995
PubMed:
7729615
Citation
Joseph A Houmard, Melinda D Weidner, Patrcia L Dolan, Nancy Leggett-Frazier, Karen E Gavigan, Matthew S Hickey, Gilian L Tyndall, Donghai Zheng, Ayman Alshami, G Lynis Dohm; Skeletal Muscle GLUT4 Protein Concentration and Aging in Humans. Diabetes 1 May 1995; 44 (5): 555–560. https://doi.org/10.2337/diab.44.5.555
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