Key Glycolytic Metabolites in Paralyzed Skeletal Muscle Are Altered Seven Days after Spinal Cord Injury in Mice

This study investigates how glucose metabolism changes in skeletal muscle after spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice. Researchers measured metabolite levels in muscle tissue at 7 and 28 days post-SCI. The study found that key glycolytic molecules, such as glucose, pyruvic acid, and lactic acid, were reduced in paralyzed muscle at 7 days after SCI. These changes suggest an acute disruption of glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. By 28 days post-SCI, the levels of these metabolites recovered. However, there was a reduction in pyruvate dehydrogenase protein expression, which implies a disruption in the downstream oxidation of glucose.

• 1
  Glucose, lactic acid, and pyruvic acid levels are reduced in paralyzed skeletal muscle at 7 days post-SCI, indicating a disruption in glucose uptake.
• 2
  Pyruvic acid levels are elevated at 28 days post-SCI compared to 7 days post-SCI.
• 3
  Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) protein expression is reduced at 28 days post-SCI compared to 7 days post-SCI, suggesting a disruption in glucose oxidation.