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. 2020 Oct 15:225:113048.
doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113048. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Aerobic capacity modulates adaptive thermogenesis: Contribution of non-resting energy expenditure

Sromona Dudiki Mukherjee  1 , Lauren G Koch  2 , Steven L Britton  3 , Colleen M Novak  4
Affiliations

Aerobic capacity modulates adaptive thermogenesis: Contribution of non-resting energy expenditure

Sromona Dudiki Mukherjee et al. Physiol Behav. .

Abstract

Decreases in energy stores requires negative energy balance where caloric expenditure exceeds energy intake, which can induce adaptive thermogenesis-the reduction of energy expenditure (EE) beyond that accounted for by the weight lost. Adaptive thermogenesis varies between individuals. The component of total daily EE responsible for the interindividual variation in adaptive thermogenesis was investigated in this study, using a rat model that differs in obesity propensity and physical activity. Total daily EE and physical activity were examined before and after 21 days of 50% calorie restriction in male and female rats with lean and obesity-prone phenotypes-rats selectively bred for high and low intrinsic aerobic capacity (HCR and LCR, respectively). Calorie restriction significantly decreased EE more than was predicted by loss of weight and lean mass, demonstrating adaptive thermogenesis. Within sex, HCR and LCR did not significantly differ in resting EE. However, the calorie restriction-induced suppression in non-resting EE, which includes activity EE, was significantly greater in HCR than in LCR; this phenotypic difference was significant for both male and female rats. Calorie restriction also significantly suppressed physical activity levels more in HCR than LCR. When VO2max was assessed in male rats, calorie restriction significantly decreased O2 consumption without significantly affecting running performance (running time, distance), indicating increased energy efficiency. Percent weight loss did not significantly differ between groups. Altogether, these results suggest that individual differences in calorie restriction-induced adaptive thermogenesis may be accounted for by variation in aerobic capacity. Moreover, it is likely that activity EE, not resting or basal metabolism, may explain or predict the variation in individuals' adaptive thermogenesis.

Keywords: Energy expenditure; High- and low-capacity runners (HCR and LCR); Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT); Obesity; Physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures None

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and physical activity in female high- and low-capacity rats (HCR and LCR).
(A) Calorie restriction (CR) significantly reduced RER (VCO2/VO2), with no difference between HCR and LCR. (B) HCR and LCR were less physically active after CR (total activity counts), though HCR showed a significantly greater decrease than LCR; HCR were significantly more active than LCR before and after CR. *different from HCR within condition (above bar), or main effect of selected line (legend); simple brackets signify significant change over CR within line; double brackets signify main effect of CR; p<0.05.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and physical activity in male high- and low-capacity rats (HCR and LCR).
(A) Calorie restriction (CR) significantly reduced RER (VCO2/VO2), with a difference between HCR and LCR but no significant interaction. (B) CR induced a significant decrease in total physical activity counts. HCR were more active than LCR overall. *different from HCR within condition (above bar), or significant main effect of selected line (legend); simple brackets signify significant change over CR within line; double brackets signify main effect of CR; p<0.05.
Figure 3:
Figure 3:. Energy expenditure (EE) in female high- and low-capacity rats (HCR and LCR) before and after calorie restriction (CR).
Change in body weight was taken into account using analysis of covariance. When analyzed against change in body weight, change in total daily EE (A) significantly differed between female HCR and LCR. Change in resting EE (B) did not differ between HCR and LCR. When analyzed using change in body weight as the covariate, change in non-resting EE (C) significantly differed between HCR and LCR. *(in the legend) LCR significantly different from HCR within condition; p<0.05.
Figure 4:
Figure 4:. Energy expenditure (EE) in male high- and low-capacity rats (HCR and LCR) before and after calorie restriction (CR).
Change in body weight was taken into account using analysis of covariance. When analyzed against change in body weight, change in total daily EE (A) did not significantly differ between male HCR and LCR. Change in resting EE (B) did not differ between HCR and LCR. When analyzed using change in body weight as the covariate, change in non-resting EE (C) significantly differed between HCR and LCR. *different from HCR within condition; p<0.05.
Figure 5:
Figure 5:. Running performance and VO2max in male high- and low-capacity rats (HCR, LCR) before and after calorie restriction (CR).
(A) The total number of 10-sec running intervals completed and (B) the top speed attained in a VO2max treadmill test were both significantly higher in HCR than LCR, both before and after CR. CR did not significantly suppress running performance, either top speed or total intervals completed. (C) At both baseline and after 21-day CR in male HCR and LCR, there was no significant suppression of, or group difference in, the maximal respiratory exchange ratio (RER; VCO2/VO2) reached during the VO2max treadmill test. (D) At both baseline and after 21-day CR, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max in ml/hr) was significantly higher in male HCR compared to LCR, and VO2max was suppressed in both HCR and LCR after CR compared to their respective baselines. *difference between HCR and LCR at the given time point; double brackets signify main effect of CR; p<0.05
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