Adipose biopsy techniques for studies in human exercise physiology.

Adipose biopsy techniques are relatively undefined for exercise physiology research in individuals at or near normal weight. The purpose of this study was to compare the influence of two adipose biopsy techniques on tissue quality through measurements of adipocyte cell size, as well as mRNA and protein levels of select pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines. Thirteen participants (9 M, 4 W; 28 ± 4 yr; 27 ± 3 kg·m-2; V̇o2max: 3.3 ± 0.7 L·min-1) underwent subcutaneous adipose biopsies on either side of the umbilicus (incision: ∼8 cm lateral, sampling area: ∼5 cm lateral) using 1) a 6-mm Bergström biopsy needle and 2) a mini-liposuction approach with a 4-mm Mercedes biopsy needle that used prebiopsy tumescent delivery (∼30 mL 0.9% NaCl solution) into the sampling area (i.e., 'wet' technique). Tissue obtained was processed identically for analysis and both techniques returned high-quality tissue for histology (similar % intact adipocytes), mRNA (RNA integrity numbers >7.0), and protein. Adipocyte size was similar (P > 0.05) between both techniques (Bergström: 6,116 ± 1,652 µm2, 554-23,522 µm2; Mercedes: 6,517 ± 952 µm2, 926-21,969 µm2). There were also no differences (P > 0.05) between the two techniques for the measured cytokines (pro- and anti-inflammatory) and adipokines at the mRNA and protein levels. Adipocyte size was positively correlated with body mass index and body fat percentage, and negatively correlated with V̇o2max (P < 0.05). These results suggest both adipose biopsy techniques used in the current investigation are appropriate for histological, transcriptional, and translational level measurements in exercise physiology studies of nonobese women and men.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides investigators with useful information related to adipose biopsy sampling approaches that can be used when planning studies that use measurements of adipose histology, as well as measurements at the mRNA and protein level. Adipose periumbilical sampling with the Bergström biopsy needle and the Mercedes wet mini-liposuction technique are both appropriate options for studies in exercise physiology and in nonobese individuals.

Female Collegiate Dancers Body Composition, Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intake Over Two Academic Years: A Longitudinal Analysis.

Collegiate dancers face unique challenges to maintain a lean aesthetic, optimal diet, and a high-performance level due to the various stressors in college. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in body composition (BC) and diet over two years. Participants (N = 17, 19.6 ± 1.6 years) completed two laboratory sessions per semester. Sessions included height and weight, BC, dietary intake, and a health history questionnaire. Regardless of rigorous dance training and variations in the academic calendar, no significant changes in BC or diet were observed within semesters of over two years. BMI was normal (24.9 ± 4.1 kg/m2) with fat mass exceeding 30% at all timepoints. Fat mass was negatively correlated with carbohydrate, fat, and protein intake (g/kg/day; r = -0.291, p = 0.004; r = -0.372, p < 0.0001; r = -0.398, p < 0.0001; respectively). Energy intake was within the recommended daily allowance (2040 ± 710 kcal/day), however may be insufficient for an active dance population. Protein (1.1 ± 0.5 g/kg), carbohydrate (3.7 ± 1.6 g/kg), calcium (835 ± 405 mg/day), iron (17 ± 15 mg/day), and potassium (1628 ± 1736 mg/day) intake fell below recommendations for an active population. Alterations in dance training and the demands of the academic calendar may be contributing to suboptimal dietary intake and BC in female collegiate dancers.