University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Relationship between diet quality and molecular mediators of muscle health

Hamann, Jade

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HAMANN-THESIS-2022.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115751

Description

Title
Relationship between diet quality and molecular mediators of muscle health
Author(s)
Hamann, Jade
Issue Date
2022-04-27
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Burd, Nicholas A
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Khan, Naiman A
Committee Member(s)
  • Holscher, Hannah D
  • Allen, Jacob M
Department of Study
Nutritional Sciences
Discipline
Nutritional Sciences
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • HEI
  • Healthy Eating Index
  • SMOX, VDR, Nrf2, Opa1
  • Hes1
  • US Dietary Guidelines
Abstract
Maintaining adequate muscle mass is a key component of healthy aging. Loss of muscle mass can lead to sarcopenia development, which decreases physical function and independence. While dietary protein is an important modulator of muscle mass homeostasis, dietary pattern as a whole also influences health with advancing age. However, there is a lack of understanding of the effect of diet composition and quality, beyond protein supplementation, on muscle mass function. This thesis aimed to determine the relationship between dietary quality and it’s components on regulators of muscle mass and oxidative function. We executed this aim through a post hoc exploratory analysis on a dietary counseling-controlled resistance training program in middle-aged adults. Diet quality as measured by the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015), body composition, muscular strength, and molecular mediators of oxidative function (e.g., VDR, Hes1, Opa1, Nrf2, and Sox) were assessed at baseline and after the 10-week intervention. Correlations between outcome variables were assessed to explore the relationship between HEI components and markers of muscle health (lean mass, strength, molecular targets). HEI total scores showed no consistent correlations with markers of muscle health. Alternatively, raw component scores, such as Whole Fruit, Total Vegetables, and Total Protein food groups diet density were positively associated with Smox, VDR, Nrf2 and Opa1, following the intervention. Thus, raw HEI scores for individual food groups and key nutrients to promote health may be a superior indicator of the relationship between dietary patterns and health markers. Future studies should explore the areas of controlled feeding studies, focused on diet quality with provided foods. Using this design will allow us to see if food groups outside of protein assist in facilitating muscle health or if protein is the greatest determinant of muscle health.
Graduation Semester
2022-05
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115751
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2022 Jade Hamann

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