Hittel, DustinGhozlan, Mostafa2013-04-052013-06-152013-04-052013http://hdl.handle.net/11023/588Aim : Myostatin (MSTN) is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle proliferation and differentiation that we previously associated with insulin resistance in humans and mice. We assessed its potential regulatory role in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in vivo and in vitro. Methods: Using various approaches we assessed the following parameters: in vivo GTT and ITT and in vitro insulin-stimulated glucose uptake for insulin sensitivity, qRT-PCR for Glut1, Glut4, Gyg1, Hk2, IL-6, Western blotting for protein levels of AMPK and ACC and high-resolution respirometry for glucose-dependent mitochondrial respiration. Results: MSTN showed significant reduction of hepatic insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in vitro and reduced glycogen content in vivo without affecting glycolysis, glucose metabolism genes, AMPK signalling or mitochondrial respiration. Conclusion: This study presents evidence for the potential role of liver in MSTN-induced insulin resistance; especially glucose uptake and glycogen content, which necessitates further investigation of the role of MSTN in this metabolically critical organ.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Biology--MolecularBiochemistryMyostatinGlucoseInsulinSensitivityMuscleLiverGlycogenMitochondriaRespirometryMetabolismmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/28087