Peak Aerobic Capacity and Dietary Composition are Associated with the Bioenergetic Profile of Platelets in Children

Date of Award

5-3-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Biology

First Reader

Dr. Joshua Kwekel

Second Reader

Dr. Angela Douglass

Third Reader

Dr. Barbara Pemberton

Abstract

Background: In the absence of a nucleus, platelet (PL) health is highly dependent on the health of their mitochondria. PL contribute to atherosclerotic disease and ischemic events. Also, emerging evidence suggests that assessments of PL mitochondria health may be used to evaluate the bioenergetic health of vulnerable populations for whom tissue biopsy is not an option.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the association of measures of PL mitochondria function with markers of atherosclerotic disease and dietary intake in 8 to 10-year-old children.

Study Design/Methods: Children (n = 87) attended one study visit in a fasted state. Anthropometrics, cardiorespiratory fitness [incremental cycle ergometer test, VO2peak (ml·kg-1·min-1)], and physical activity [accelerometers, activity counts (AC), moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA)] were measured. Body mass index percentiles (BMI-P) were calculated using CDC standards. Dietary intake was estimated (Block Food Frequency Questionnaire). PL mitochondria respiration [oxygen flux analyzer, oxygen consumption rate (OCR) (pmol/min)] was measured: a) Basal respiration (B) b) Leak respiration (L) c) Maximal respiration (M) d) Reserve capacity (RC), e) non-mitochondrial respiration (NM) f) ATP linked respiration (ATP), and g) coupling efficiency (CE). The bioenergetic health index (BHI) was calculated. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to measure the correlation of PL mitochondria function with variables of interest.

Results: Children (60% boys) were 9.52±0.86 y/o and predominantly Caucasian (64%). Mean BMI percentile was 75.37±23.52. VO2peak directly associated with L (rho= 0.21, p=0.049) and negatively associated with CE (rho= -0.24, p=0.025). BMI-P, total AC, and MVPA did not correlate with measures of PL mitochondria function. L decreased with increasing fruit consumption (rho= -0.23, p= 0.033), CE was positively correlated with fruit consumption (rho= 0.25, p= 0.017). NM negatively correlated with % fat intake (rho= -0.35, p= 0.0008) and positively correlated % carbohydrate intake (rho= 0.31, p= 0.003). The BHI did not associate with measures of fitness and dietary intake.

Conclusions: The bioenergetic profiles for PL are correlated with dietary composition and peak aerobic capacity. Whether these findings translate in changes in PL activation will be determined in the ongoing MI-Energy study. Funding: This work was funded by USDA-ARS 6026-51000-012-06S

Comments

This work is currently embargoed. It will be released May 2026.

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