The relationship between energy expenditure and lean tissue in monozygotic twins discordant for spinal cord injury

William A. Bauman, Ann M. Spungen, Jack Wang, Richard N. Pierson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

78 Scopus citations

Abstract

Energy expenditure and fat-free mass (FFM), as well as the relationships between these parameters, were investigated in thirteen pairs of monozygotic twins discordant for SCI. Basal energy expenditure (BEE) and resting energy expenditure (REE) were determined by indirect calorimetry. Measurements for FFM and fat mass were obtained by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Total body potassium was determined by a 4-Pi whole-body counting chamber. Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. BEE and REE of the twins with SCI were significantly less than those of the able-bodied co-twins (1387 ± 268 vs. 1660 ± 324 kcal/d, p < 0.005, and 1682 ± 388 vs. 1854 ± 376 kcal/d, p < 0.05, respectively). Regardless of the group, direct and highly significant relationships were evident between BEE or REE and FFM or TBK. In summary, twins with SCI had lower energy expenditure than their able-bodied co-twins. Regardless of paralysis, direct linear relationships existed between energy expenditure and measures of lean mass.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
Volume41
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004

Keywords

  • Energy expenditure
  • Fat-free mass
  • Paraplegia
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Total body potassium

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