Conclusions
Together these data suggest that the metabolic racial disparity of insulin resistance, RMR, VO2max, and mitochondrial capacity may be mediated by perturbations in mitochondrial pathways associated with membrane transport, fission-fusion, and autophagy. The mechanisms contributing to these differences remain unknown.
Objective
The goal of this study was to assess mitochondrial pathways and dynamics to examine the potential mechanisms of lower insulin sensitivity, RMR, VO2max, and mitochondrial capacity in AAW. Design: To achieve this goal, we assessed several mitochondrial pathways in skeletal muscle using gene array technology and semiquantitative protein analysis.
Results
We report alterations in mitochondrial pathways associated with inner membrane small molecule transport genes, fusion-fission, and autophagy in lean AAW. These differences were associated with lower insulin sensitivity, RMR, and VO2max. Conclusions: Together these data suggest that the metabolic racial disparity of insulin resistance, RMR, VO2max, and mitochondrial capacity may be mediated by perturbations in mitochondrial pathways associated with membrane transport, fission-fusion, and autophagy. The mechanisms contributing to these differences remain unknown.