This study used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) to investigate differences in muscle group specific intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) storage characteristics associated with elevated muscle lipid storage, and to determine whether IMCL content is associated with maximal aerobic capacity. Seven healthy men [untrained (UT)], four overweight (OW) and six endurance-trained (T) subjects volunteered for this study. Data were acquired, using ¹H-MRS, from the tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (SOL) muscles. The IMCL content in TA was approximately twice as high in T subjects than in UT and OW subjects. In MG, IMCL was higher in OW and T subjects compared with UT subjects. A linear relationship existed between the VO₂max and IMCL in TA and a curve of second-degree relationship between the VO₂max and IMCL in MG. These results suggest that elevated IMCL deposits in TA might reflect enhancement of aerobic capacity, whereas the IMCL accretion in MG might reflect not only aerobic capacity but also overweight and obese conditions in men.

Gender differences were measured in the amount of intramyocellular triglyceride (IMCL) and extramyocellular triglyceride (EMCL) in skeletal muscles using¹H-MR spectroscopy and their relation to body fat and peak VO₂was studied. Fourteen apparently healthy subjects were separated into groups by gender. Both the male and female group subjects were selected according to similar ages and BMI (male: n=7, BMI=20.5±0.6 kg/m², age=21.1±0.7 years, female: n=7, BMI=20.6±0.5 kg/m², age=18.7±0.3 years) . We found a significant correlation between IMCL and EMCL in the soleus (SQL: p<0.01) and medial gastrocnemius (MG: p<0.01) muscles. IMCL values in SQL were significantly higher than IMCL values in MG and tibialis anterior muscle (TA) in both males and females in the order of SQL>MG>TA (p<0.01) .
IMCL and EMCL values in MG and SQL among females were significantly higher (p<0.01) than their corresponding values in males. However, a gender difference in IMCL and EMCL values for TA was not found. There was no correlation between IMCL and EMCL values for each muscle and BMI ; but IMCL (r=0.63 in SQL) and EMCL (r=0.88 and r=0.73 in SQL, and MG, respectively; p< 0.01) values correlated significantly with percent FAT. There was no correlation between IMCL values for each muscle and peak VO₂; but the EMCL values of SQL correlated quite negatively with peak VO₂ (r=-0.63, p<0.05) . These results suggest that there are gender differences in intramyocellular and extramyocellular triglyceride contents. Lipids were positively related to percent body fat in SQL and MG; EMCL values may have a negative effect on endurance capacity.

Gender differences were measured in the amount of intramyocellular triglyceride (IMCL) and extramyocellular triglyceride (EMCL) in skeletal muscles using¹H-MR spectroscopy and their relation to body fat and peak VO₂was studied. Fourteen apparently healthy subjects were separated into groups by gender. Both the male and female group subjects were selected according to similar ages and BMI (male: n=7, BMI=20.5±0.6 kg/m², age=21.1±0.7 years, female: n=7, BMI=20.6±0.5 kg/m², age=18.7±0.3 years) . We found a significant correlation between IMCL and EMCL in the soleus (SQL: p<0.01) and medial gastrocnemius (MG: p<0.01) muscles. IMCL values in SQL were significantly higher than IMCL values in MG and tibialis anterior muscle (TA) in both males and females in the order of SQL>MG>TA (p<0.01) .
IMCL and EMCL values in MG and SQL among females were significantly higher (p<0.01) than their corresponding values in males. However, a gender difference in IMCL and EMCL values for TA was not found. There was no correlation between IMCL and EMCL values for each muscle and BMI ; but IMCL (r=0.63 in SQL) and EMCL (r=0.88 and r=0.73 in SQL, and MG, respectively; p< 0.01) values correlated significantly with percent FAT. There was no correlation between IMCL values for each muscle and peak VO₂; but the EMCL values of SQL correlated quite negatively with peak VO₂ (r=-0.63, p<0.05) . These results suggest that there are gender differences in intramyocellular and extramyocellular triglyceride contents. Lipids were positively related to percent body fat in SQL and MG; EMCL values may have a negative effect on endurance capacity.

The aim of this study is the evaluation of intramyocellular (IMCL) and extramyocellular lipids (EMCL) in skeletal muscle in elderly female endurance-trained individuals. The subjects comprised endurance-trained elderly persons (END : n=7, age=66.1±2.0) and healthy elderly control subjects (CON : n=7, age=70.1±3.0). All subjects were female and matched by age and lower BMI. We quantified differences in IMCL and EMCL concentrations in the tibialis anterior (TA), soleus (SOL), and medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles using ¹H-MR spectroscopy. The IMCL and EMCL contents in SOL and MG in END were significantly lower than those in CON (p<0.01). Total lipid content in SOL and MG was lower in END. The IMCL and EMCL contents in TA in END were slightly lower than those in CON. Water contents of all types of muscle in END were higher than those in CON. These results suggest that stored IMCL and EMCL in END are less than in CON.

BACKGROUND: Although the utility of flaps for the treatment of sternal wound infections following median sternotomy has been reported for 30 years, there have been few reports on the risk factors for complications after reconstruction. The objective of this investigation was to identify factors related to complications after the reconstruction of sternal wound infections. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 74 patients with reconstructive surgery after sternal wound infection over a 5-year period was performed. Clinical data including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, bacterial culture, previous cardiac surgery, wound depth, mortality rate, type of reconstructive procedure, and complication rate were collected. RESULTS: The patients' BMI ranged from 15.2 to 33.6 kg/m2 (mean, 23.1+/-3.74 kg/m2). Wound closure complications after reconstructive surgery were observed in 36.5% of the cases. The mortality rate was 2.7%. Diabetes mellitus significantly affected the rate of wound closure complications (P=0.041). A significant difference in the number of complications was seen between Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (P=0.011). There was a correlation between harvesting of the internal thoracic artery and postoperative complications (P=0.048). The complication rates of the pectoralis major flap, rectus abdominis flap, omentum flap, a combination of pectoralis major flap and rectus abdominis flap, and direct closure were 23.3%, 33.3%, 100%, 37.5%, and 35.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes mellitus, S. aureus, harvesting of the internal thoracic artery, and omentum flap were significant factors for complications after reconstruction. The omentum flap volume may be related to the complications associated with the omentum flap transfer in the present study.
Body Mass Index ; Comorbidity ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Mammary Arteries ; Mediastinitis ; Mortality ; Omentum ; Postoperative Complications ; Rectus Abdominis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Sternotomy ; Surgical Flaps ; Thoracic Surgery ; Wound Infection* ; Wounds and Injuries