Context: Weight loss success in response to energy restriction is highly variable. This may be due in part to differences in mitochondrial function and oxidative stress.
Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether mitochondrial function, content, and oxidative stress differ in well-matched obese individuals in the upper [obese diet sensitive (ODS)] vs lower quintiles [obese diet resistant (ODR)] for rate of weight loss.
Design: Primary myotubes derived from muscle biopsies of individuals identified as ODS or ODR were studied.
Setting: Compliant ODS and ODR females who completed in the Ottawa Hospital Weight Management Program and identified as ODS and ODR participated in this study.
Patients or other participants: Eleven ODS and nine ODR weight-stable females matched for age, body mass, and body mass index participated in this study.
Intervention: Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained and processed for muscle satellite cell isolation.
Main outcome measures: Mitochondrial respiration, content, reactive oxygen species, and glutathione redox ratios were measured in the myotubes of ODS and ODR individuals.
Results: Mitochondrial proton leak was increased in myotubes of ODS compared with ODR (P < .05). Reduced and oxidized glutathione was decreased in the myotubes of ODR vs ODS (P < .05), indicating a more oxidized glutathione redox state. There were no differences in myotube mitochondrial content, uncoupling protein 3, or adenine nucleotide translocase levels.
Conclusions: Lower rate of mitochondrial proton leak in muscle is a cell autonomous phenomenon in ODR vs ODS individuals, and this is associated with a more oxidized glutathione redox state in ODR vs ODS myotubes. The muscle of ODR subjects may thus have a lower capacity to adapt to oxidative stress as compared with ODS.