Student: Kyle Godwin, Undergraduate Student in Health Sciences, Drake University
Research Mentor: Kimberly Huey
Effects of Glutamine Supplementation on Overload-Induced Muscle Growth and Function in Mice
My project looks at muscle growth induced by functional overload combined with glutamine supplementation in mice. This will allow us to investigate the impact glutamine has on muscle growth processes. Functional overload of the mouse plantaris is achieved through removal of synergist muscles (soleus, gastrocnemius) which causes a significant increase in plantaris mass. Glutamine supplementation has been shown to better maintain muscle contractile proteins and it is hypothesized that glutamine will allow muscles to more effectively respond to a potent growth stimulus. The potential impact of glutamine will be evidenced by greater muscle growth and increased force production compared to placebo. One mechanism whereby glutamine is hypothesized to enhance muscle growth is by increasing heat shock protein (Hsp) and growth factor expression in overloaded muscles.