Muscle mitochondrial function is impaired in adults with type 1 diabetes

J Diabetes Complications. 2024 Aug;38(8):108798. doi: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2024.108798. Epub 2024 Jun 13.

Abstract

Aims: Type 1 diabetes has been associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the mechanism of this dysfunction in adults remains unclear.

Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted using data from several clinical trials measuring in-vivo and ex-vivo mitochondrial function in adults with type 1 diabetes (n = 34, age 38.8 ± 14.6 years) and similarly aged controls (n = 59, age 44.6 ± 13.9 years). In-vivo mitochondrial function was assessed before, during, and after isometric exercise with 31phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy. High resolution respirometry of vastus lateralis muscle tissue was used to assess ex-vivo measures.

Results: In-vivo data showed higher rates of anaerobic glycolysis (p = 0.013), and a lower maximal mitochondrial oxidative capacity (p = 0.012) and mitochondrial efficiency (p = 0.024) in adults with type 1 diabetes. After adjustment for age and percent body fat maximal mitochondrial capacity (p = 0.014) continued to be lower and anaerobic glycolysis higher (p = 0.040) in adults with type 1 diabetes. Ex-vivo data did not demonstrate significant differences between the two groups.

Conclusions: The in-vivo analysis demonstrates that adults with type 1 diabetes have mitochondrial dysfunction. This builds on previous research showing in-vivo mitochondrial dysfunction in youths with type 1 diabetes and suggests that defects in substrate or oxygen delivery may play a role in in-vivo dysfunction.

Keywords: (31)phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy; High-resolution respirometry; Insulin resistance; Mitochondrial function; Muscle.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / physiopathology
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Female
  • Glycolysis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitochondria, Muscle* / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / complications
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / physiopathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Young Adult